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Norway tops list of world's happiest countries
Forbes
9:46 AM EST February 1, 2011
Personal freedoms are very high in the Netherlands, with 88 percent satisfied that they are free to choose what to do with their lives. The Dutch also put a lot of trust in their fellow citizens and in their government.
© Thinkstock via Forbes.com
Think about it for a minute: What does happiness mean to you?
For most, being happy starts with having enough money to do what you want and buy what you want. A nice home, food, clothes, car, leisure. All within reason.
But happiness is much more than money. It's being healthy, free from pain, being able to take care of yourself. It's having good times with friends and family.
Forbes.com slideshow: the world's happiest countries
Furthermore, happiness means being able to speak what's on your mind without fear, to worship the God of your choosing, and to feel safe and secure in your own home.
Happiness means having opportunity - to get an education, to be an entrepreneur. What's more satisfying than having a big idea and turning it into a thriving business, knowing all the way that the harder you work, the more reward you can expect?
A feeling of prosperity
With this in mind, five years ago researchers at the Legatum Institute, a London-based nonpartisan think tank, set out to rank the happiest countries in the world. But because "happy" carries too much of a touchy-feely connotation, they call it "prosperity."
Life Inc.: Does money make you happy absolutely?
Legatum recently completed its 2010 Prosperity Index, which ranks 110 countries, covering 90 percent of the world's population.
Norway tops list of world's happiest countries
Forbes
9:46 AM EST February 1, 2011
Personal freedoms are very high in the Netherlands, with 88 percent satisfied that they are free to choose what to do with their lives. The Dutch also put a lot of trust in their fellow citizens and in their government.
© Thinkstock via Forbes.com
Think about it for a minute: What does happiness mean to you?
For most, being happy starts with having enough money to do what you want and buy what you want. A nice home, food, clothes, car, leisure. All within reason.
But happiness is much more than money. It's being healthy, free from pain, being able to take care of yourself. It's having good times with friends and family.
Forbes.com slideshow: the world's happiest countries
Furthermore, happiness means being able to speak what's on your mind without fear, to worship the God of your choosing, and to feel safe and secure in your own home.
Happiness means having opportunity - to get an education, to be an entrepreneur. What's more satisfying than having a big idea and turning it into a thriving business, knowing all the way that the harder you work, the more reward you can expect?
A feeling of prosperity
With this in mind, five years ago researchers at the Legatum Institute, a London-based nonpartisan think tank, set out to rank the happiest countries in the world. But because "happy" carries too much of a touchy-feely connotation, they call it "prosperity."
Life Inc.: Does money make you happy absolutely?
Legatum recently completed its 2010 Prosperity Index, which ranks 110 countries, covering 90 percent of the world's population.