Are We Happier? Yes We Are!
28 Aug 2008Contrary to a previous post here, it seems a recent report shows happiness increasing in countries with rising GDP. Have a look at Happiness Trends in 24 Countries, 1946-2006
So now we're happier?
The reliability of these data, given the sample size and number of countries is not strong. Perhaps the trends can be explained generationally. Older generations may have rued the loss of social structures after the War and seen the increased wealth as insufficient compensation for this loss. Perhaps younger generations growing up in the 1970s and 1980s are better adjusted to modern social structures and are more content with their lifestyles, enabling them to enjoy the benefits of greater wealth?
