Malta on top of the world

The heading of this Talking Point will undoubtedly mystify many readers. How can Malta ever place first in a world ranking? Believe it or not we do. Notwithstanding our many shortcomings, it seems there is one area where Malta beats every other country - the happy league.

According to a study by Ruut Veenhoven, a sociologist at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, the Maltese are the happiest people in the world! We score 74 per cent, marginally ahead of Denmark, Switzerland and Columbia who score just one percentage point below us.

If ever confirmation were needed, the research confirms that money alone cannot buy happiness although many would argue otherwise. The UK, where there has been an 80 per cent increase in per capita income over the last 30 years, places 21st with a 64 per cent rating and even the mighty US can only muster 67 per cent and place 13th in the "happy rankings". Australia also trails us in 17th place.

Experts are of the opinion that the strength of family ties far outweighs elements of economic misery and even countries that are plagued by civil war, like Columbia, place highly. In the case of Britain, it is felt that a combination of the "rat race" of rising working hours and a decline in traditional family values has reduced the level of happiness in that country.

Economic growth is undoubtedly very important, even for Malta, but we should be careful not to sacrifice other things that are equally important. It does not make logical sense to be continually urging people to get ahead, especially not from a very tender age.

In such a situation, one is continually looking over one's shoulders to compare oneself with one's neighbours, a trait not totally foreign to Malta's way of life. It is all well and good to impress upon our children that the world is a competitive place but we must not overdo it. A sense of balance and proportion will yield good results and produce better citizens.

Prof. Veenhoven claims that happiness has a ceiling. The relationship between happiness and money is subject to the law of diminishing returns. Once per capita income reaches a certain point, it levels off. As a good friend once told me: "How many steaks can you eat in a day? Once your refrigerator is full, happiness is relative".

According to the Sunday Times (London), a diplomat at the Malta High Commission in London could perhaps have hit the nail on the head when she said: "Malta is very small so family networks are very tight. Wherever you are, you are never alone".

So that we don't run away with the idea that we have reached a pinnacle, I should point out that this study has nothing to do with the quality of life and does in no way imply that Malta is the best place to live or work in.

It is however a confirmation of an important value of the Maltese people. In a lighter vein, could I suggest that we exploit it to help our efforts in attracting tourists? How about the MTA considering a marketing campaign around the slogan: Malta - Spend your holiday among the happiest people in the world?