Malta down in happiness poll
If she's happy, she's probably Danish, according to a worldwide happiness poll.
If you're Maltese and not feeling happy, then it's your fault Malta is sharing 38th place with Guatemala in a worldwide survey assessing life satisfaction and happiness carried out by Gallup World Poll.
And while Malta prides itself on being sunny, it seems countries with the midnight sun are even happier than us, with Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden ranking in the top four, and Iceland ranking at 23.
This deals a blow to Malta's belief that they held the title to contentment. In 2005 the Maltese were among the happiest people in the world, with Denmark and Switzerland topping the World Database of Happiness; a collection of more than 8,000 findings from 120 countries.
Then, two years later, the Maltese ranked seventh in Europe's Happy Planet Index, outperforming countries like France, the UK, the Netherlands and Germany for ecological efficiency at delivering well-being. It seems Maltese have become more subdued in 2010.
The Gallup World Poll, carried out in 155 countries between 2005 and 2009 asked its respondents to reflect on their overall satisfaction with life, then ranking their answers using a one to 10 "life evaluation" score.
Respondents were also asked how they had felt the previous day, such as whether they felt well rested, respected, free of pain and intellectually engaged. Those who reported high scores were considered to be "thriving".
While Denmark had 82 per cent of respondents thriving, Malta had a meagre 40, with 48 per cent reporting they were "struggling" and 12 per cent "suffering".
Malta's daily experience rating stood at 6.6 on 10, with the highest score being reported by the Panamanians at 8.4.
Togo came in last, while ironically, the Palestinian Authority is placed before Hungary even though 70 per cent of the population is struggling.
Reporting on the poll, Forbes.com said the connection between money and happiness was evident, as the CIA said Denmark had a per capita GDP of $36,000 in 2009. The survey also shows African countries coming in at the bottom of the table, with Malawi coming in first at 63.
Whatever happens, do not let these figures depress you, lest your disposition affects Malta's rankings in the next survey results.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
9 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
r curmi
Aug 1st 2010, 08:10
the island is a mess.... whats there to be happy about?
GiovDeMartino
Aug 1st 2010, 07:55
Of course we cannot be happy! We have EVERYTHING we need with all sorts of luxuries. And when you have everything you cannot be happy. There was a time when we wqere happy bec we could buy half a kilo of apples, or half a kilo of sugar. There was a time when we managed to get a telephone or a colour TV set - when they were allowed...I was happy when I was transferred from Mosta to Rabat and NOT to Gozo...I was happy when I woke up and found that no one was tortured at the depot; or when our political activity came to a (relative) peaceful end; we could be happy when the price of a tin of tuna was brought down by 2 mills or when the wage freeze was lifted ...after five years....There was a time when we were happy with evrything...like beggars who are happy with every penny they get.....today we have everything and we can have nothing more to make us happy...these are the facts.
Paul Caruana
Jul 31st 2010, 19:26
Well who ever come up with this article if i may ask should spend som,e time in the UK, Australia, Canada/the US etc., , i am Maltese by birth, have been away for quite a long time now, thank God i am now back in paradise, i can asure all citizens of Gozo and malta, that i never ever seen a moody Maltese, the majority of the locals always have a smile on their face, and cheerful. they are easier to have a conversation with even if i have never seen or met any of them before, come off it cham, in my opinion and take it from one who knows. MALTA & THE MALTESE are the most happy people i have ever come across, try going to work and live abroad, then you'll know why. Please venture out and get your fact in order before painting a bad image of OUR country, we not all be millionaires, but then one can't take it with them up on cloud 9.
judith desira
Jul 31st 2010, 18:00
o this is good !!!! i've just wrote a commment on the piece of cedric sunbathing in the city, saying how the majority of the maltese have really become moody , and they need a bit of laughter in their lives to relieve tension..........
Claire Busuttil
Jul 31st 2010, 17:40
Mhux ovvja, x hallelwna biex inkunu "happy".....
P.Mifsud
Jul 31st 2010, 15:33
Well Then would any of you be happy with the way the country is being run? answers please? too many cowboys not enough Indians.
martin saliba
Jul 31st 2010, 15:22
If you're Maltese and not feeling happy, then it's your fault. Why is it my fault ? If my family were unhappy i would probably be my fault as " head " of the family. Therefore if the Maltese are unhappy , you tell me whose fault it is and please be correct this time.
mario aquilina
Jul 31st 2010, 15:14
I compare, living on an island, surrounded by sea and nowhere to run, with a greenfinch locked in a cage.
Born to be free. Wishful thinking
JJ.Mizzi . London
Aug 1st 2010, 12:56
Well Mario I like your style, however i would be alot damn sight happier if i were a Gozitan or a Maltese owing millions of €' and also rented out properties and still walking about in rags, including running 3 or 4 vehicles wouldn't you be happy then Pal, maybe not as in my opinion life is what you make it and not what one can grab out of some other poor family or persons that needed more then they do, so all in all yes some are unhapppy through sheer GREED.
JJ. UK