Results of a large-scale survey by the Gallup International Association of independent polling agencies conducted among 45K people from 46 countries did not come out comforting for Russians. If the general level of happiness in the world is growing, in Russia it is falling.
The survey found that 59% of all respondents consider themselves happy while 11% find themselves unhappy and 30% are torn between these two states and, therefore, undecided. Compared to other countries, Russia has significantly fewer happy people (only 42%) and more unhappy ones (18%).
Only three years ago, there were 55% people in Russia who considered themselves happy. The unstable economy and lowering purchasing power are not the only causes that experts see in this plunge in the level of happiness.
To feel joy and abundance, it also important to have enough free time, live in a clean environment, enjoy a good health and be able to rely on a strong healthcare system. Cultural traditions, religion, national mentality, climate and many other factors also matter.
Of course, unfulfilled expectations – which we have plenty of – substantially degrades our happiness index. While researchers contemplate what is more disappointing to Russians – dropping income, the pension reform or if they are just overwhelmed with Russian blues, people in Colombia, Indonesia and Ecuador seem to never fail to feel happy about every new day. They don’t expect much from their governments, don’t compare their income to the global average and, therefore, are quite content with life thus topping the happy people chart.
The unhappiest countries include Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Russia took a place between the United Kingdom and Iraq.