Economic Growth

Is happiness linked to economic strength?

While the wealthy who live in advanced economies say they are happier with their life situation, those living in emerging economies are close to the same level of satisfaction, according to a new Pew Research Center report.

The survey asked respondents of 43 nations to measure their happiness on a scale of 0 to 10, where 10 represents the highest rung of life’s ladder. Those who answered between 7 and 10 were counted as being happy.

Mexico had the overall highest score in the survey, measuring in at 79% satisfaction in life. Mexico’s response represents a shift in what The Economist called a “fraying link between happiness and income.”

On average, people residing in countries with advanced economies like Germany, France, Japan, and the US answered with a median of 53% of having a comfortable and gratifying life. Of the 10 countries with advanced economies, Israel is the leader of the pack at 75%.

Half of Mexico’s counterparts, like Venezuela and Brazil, weren’t too far behind by listing their lives as highly satisfying. Meanwhile, people in countries in the Middle East, including Tunisia, Jordan, and Egypt, said they were the least satisfied among the emerging nations. The Pew report also noted that few Ukrainians were happy, which may “reflect the considerable turmoil in their country.”

Representing the developing economies, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya were the most dissatisfied with their lives out of the 43 nations sampled.

Here is the full list of all 43 surveyed countries:

pew research money and happiness

Published in collaboration with Business Insider

Author: Amanda Macias works on the front page of Business Insider. 

Image: A man poses for photos as solar halo is seen in the sky of Brasilia September 30, 2011. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino 

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