The happiest countries in 2013

The survey conducted by the UN on the happiest countries has identified Denmark in the top position. The scoring was based on the GDP, life expectancy, social support, corruption and freedom. The welfare model is the key factor behind the growth of Denmark as the happiest country. According to this welfare model, pension schemes are implemented by the state, the state supports the maternity and the paternity leaves and unemployed and disabled are provided with help and benefits. The income tax is 60% and this is the same rate of interest of other social taxes. The VAT is 25%. The tax amount is distributed among the needy.

The Flexicurity which is a combination of flexibility and security focusing on the hiring and the firing system in the labor market. Job loss which is very common in Denmark is compensated with creation of new jobs. Every year around 250000 jobs are smashed and nearly 800000 people change their jobs every year. Along with frequent hiring there are various schemes training programs and free education program for the unemployed. The voluntary withdrawal from the employment may result in automatic withdrawal of unemployment benefits. These welfare benefits are with huge tax rate and the Danish tax rates are the highest in the world.

Norway, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, Finland, Austria, Iceland and Australia are the toppers after Denmark. The report indicates that the happiest countries are rich countries. In these 61 countries have improved in their happiness while 41 of them has gone down. Industrial nations are not seemed to be happy for example India is in 111th place behind Pakistan. The US is in the 17th place and the countries hit by the economic crisis are found among the unhappiest.

The term Gross National Happiness was coined by the former King of Bhutan Mr Jigme Singye Wangchuck. In 2011 the UN directed its member countries to measure the happiness of the people to coin public policies.