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Maltese still among happiest people in Europe

The Maltese still score high on the happy barometer but a new study has found that quite a few are less cheerful than their European counterparts.

Less than 60 per cent of Maltese had been cheerful and in good spirits most of the time in the two weeks before they were questioned, a good bit less than the EU average of 72 per cent, according to the second European Quality of Life Survey.

Only the Latvians and Turks proved to be cheerful less often than the Maltese, preliminary results show.

Although they may not be constantly jolly, the Maltese remained among the happiest people in Europe, scoring sixth among 31 countries and reaffirming the results of a study carried out a few years ago, which had tagged the Maltese among the happiest people in the world.

The Maltese also rank sixth when it comes to life satisfaction, with Nordic countries in the lead. On the other hand, Bulgarians were the unhappiest in Europe and the least satisfied with life.

Stress levels run high in Malta, with just 57 per cent claiming to have felt calm and relaxed most of the time in the preceding two weeks. Only the Turks proved to be less calm and relaxed.

The Maltese scored at the bottom of the league on "good mental health", surpassed only by the Turks, while the Norwegians have the best mental health in Europe.

Locals felt less active and vigorous than other Europeans, even after a good night's sleep. Just 13 per cent of Maltese felt their daily life was full of interesting things but they still held positive expectations on the future.

Asked whether they could keep their homes adequately warmed up, the majority of the Maltese - 80.4 per cent - said they could. Despite this, Malta still had one of the highest percentages of people who could not afford to warm their homes.

And less than half the Maltese could afford to pay for an annual week-long holiday or replace worn furniture. Less than 70 per cent could afford to have friends or family over for drinks or dinner at least once a month. But the majority of Maltese could afford to eat meat, chicken or fish every other day and buy new, rather than second-hand, clothes.

Just seven countries surpassed Malta in trusting political parties, although the islands ranked slightly lower when it came to trusting the government and Parliament.

On the education system, the Maltese believed they had a good system, with just the Spaniards coming out on top. The survey was carried out last year and a sample of 1,000 Maltese took part.

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Comments

Stephen Abela (on 23/11/08)
May I quote part of the report by Cynthia Busuttil, "The Maltese scored at the bottom of the league on "good mental health"" This in my opinion explains why the maltese are so happy and keep trusting their politicians. Seriously underpaid and heavily taxed, not to mention the extent of social justice there is not much reason to cheer on this rock.
Nigel Lawrence (on 23/11/08)
The Maltese are at their happiest when they have something to complain about. THAT is why we are the happiest people in Europe.
Mike Magri (on 22/11/08)

Haa haa haa... WHAT A JOKE...!!!

"..MALTESE....THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE IN UEROPE.."..... Ehhh...!!??!!??!!

They must have gone to `KURUN`S` wine bar for this survey...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Boy....!!! Imsiken it-Taljani, l-Inglizi, il-Germanizi, il-Francizi, Belgjani, Irlandizi, Pollakki, ecc..ecc..ecc....ecc..!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nicholas Micallef (on 22/11/08)
Even though Malta has loads of positive aspects, there are negative sides as well. Amongst the positive things, are the strong family and friends environments we possess. We tend to care for each other and are quite generous to each other although this is diminishing rapidly as the era of individualism flows into our island more and more. Unfortunately there are negative aspects which I believe are making the young people in Malta rather unsatisfied with their lives (I am 23 and I can feel this situation happening). Amongst these there are the lack of work opportunities (not related to political propoganda but rather to the economic disadvantage of being small and an island state). In addition to this are the low wages, entertainment constraints and lack of open mindedness by a substantial number of Maltese people. Being an EU country, many young Maltese tend to compare themselves to their European friends and start feeling a degree of inferiority living on an island with all its economic disadvantages it brings with it.
It's a phsychological issue that has never been given much air. Apart from family and friends, some want more when it comes to openmindedness, life exploration and opportunities.
lgalea (on 22/11/08)
Was the survey carried out by asking the President, the Prime Minister, Ministers and the Parliamentary Secretaries?

To the surveyors: Tell it to the marines.
Angelica Bossert (on 22/11/08)
Does this survey factor in the suicide rate? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the Nordic countries have some of the highest suicide rates? Then it would stand to reason that they would score high, since fewer unhappy people would be available to participate in these surveys.

P.S. My curiousity is sincere. I promise I'm not just being flippant.
Vincent Galea (on 22/11/08)
I remember when Fortune Magazine came out with the annual list of the world's wealthiest people. Altough Bill Gates still heads the list, the Waltons comprise the richest family on earth. How instructive, than to learn what the last three words of the founder of Walmart, the legendary Sam Walton, were as he was approaching his final days He struggled to let his last three words.
He succeeded beyond everyone's wildest dreams.
But it was at a price.
He hardly spent anytime with his wife, his children, his grandchildren.He didn't allow himself the moments of loving interactions, of holding a grandchild on his lap.
His last three words : I BLEW IT
He had the billions, but by his own admission he failed.
We are amongst the happiest because we still value strong family ties : )
John Borg (on 22/11/08)
If the Maltese are the happiest people in Europe how come the newspapers are full of letters and comments that contain nothing except grumbling? And happy about what exactly? The dirty streets? The polluted air? The horrendous customer service? The often blatant xenophobia?
Anna Farrugia (on 22/11/08)
Interesting survey! However I would like to know what 'kind' of people were surveyed because it does make a difference. I cannot believe it that the Maltese are still amongst the happiest people in Europe!
Phil Press (on 22/11/08)
I presume this survey, was carried out before the new utility rates were announced.

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