Zimbabwe ranked amongst unhappiest nations on earth again

LONDON - A NEW British survey published today says Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi are the most unhappy countries in the world with Denmark coming out at the top in a survey that measured health, wealth, education, sense of identity and the aesthetic quality of the landscape. 

The survey, published by a University of Leicester academic, showed seven of the top ten happiest countries were western democracies, with the Bahamas, Bhutan and Brunei being the exceptions.

Following Denmark came Switzerland, Austria and Iceland. The United States was 23rd, Germany came in at number 35, and Britain ranked 41st.

According to the survey, the most depressing country to live in is war-ravaged Burundi at number 178. It is one of the poorest countries in the world with low-levels of natural resources. Zimbabwe, with its economy in freefall was at number 177, and the war-torn DRC 176.

Another British study published earlier this month also found Zimbabweans to be among the unhappiest people on earth.  The survey also found the tiny South Pacific Ocean archipelago of Vanuatu to be the happiest country on Earth.

That study by the New Economics Foundation, a think-tank, ranked certain members of the Group of Eight industrialised countries much lower than the present survey.

The United States, for example, ranked 150th, Germany 81st and Britain 108th.

"When people are asked if they are happy with their lives, people in countries with good health care, a higher GDP (gross domestic product) per capita, and access to education were much more likely to report being happy," said Adrian White, the social psychologist who carried out the latest study.

"The frustrations of modern life, and the anxieties of the age, seem to be much less significant compared to the health, financial and educational needs in other parts of the world."

White, an analytical social psychologist at Leicester University, looked at data from 178 countries and 100 studies compiled by the United Nations, World Health Organisation to produce the "first world map of happiness".

White said: "We're looking at whether you are satisfied with life - with your situation and environment."

The factors affecting happiness were health provision, wealth and education.

"Smaller countries tend to be a little happier because there is a stronger sense of collectivism, then you also have the aesthetic qualities of a country," White said.

He admitted that collecting data on wellbeing was not an exact science, but said the measures used were reliable in predicting health and welfare outcomes.

"There is a definite relationship between levels of happiness and the likelihood of being depressed, alcoholic, homeless or a drug addict.

"I think there is a parallel between the state of a nation and an individual. If you are very depressed, you are less likely to go out and be ambitious which obviously impacts on the economy, creating a vicious circle of poverty and depression.

"Scandinavian countries have done so well firstly because they are rich with good healthcare and education systems. They also have a sense of collectivity and community because of a strong national identity. Bigger countries are often more fragmented and people there may not feel they are making so much of a difference. While not such a big indicator of happiness, this is also a factor.

"We also found that living in beautiful rural areas increased happiness by a small factor. However countries in Africa are very beautiful but more important factors there that reduce happiness are people dying of preventable diseases and war."

The researchers argue that regular testing would enable the world to track changes in happiness and the extent that events such as war, famine or a national success would have on a nation's happiness.

White said: "Governments can ensure their citizens are happy by ensuring everybody has access to these facilities. Whilst collecting data on subjective well-being is not an exact science, the measures used are very reliable in predicting health and welfare outcomes.

"We were surprised to see countries in Asia scoring so low, with China 82nd, Japan 90th and India 125th. These are countries that are thought as having a strong sense of collective identity which other researchers have associated with well-being.

Most Zimbabweans have for the past six years been struggling to make ends meet in a crisis-ridded country where corruption is fast becoming the order of the day.

Things have been sour for the ordinary person since the government of Zimbabwe decided to embark on its controversial land grab programme after losing the 2000 constitutional referendum. Political violence targeted at the opposition, commercial farmers, the media and anyone thought to be an enemy of the state worsened the situation. Most international companies moved to other stable countries resulting in high unemployment.

Shortages of basic commodities, foreign currency and an unresolved economic political crisis all contribute to the unhappiness of Zimbabweans whose dollar has been losing value at an alarming rate. One British pound is now worth over Zd$ 1 million. Zimbabweans, have however, been known to beat their anger and frustrations by finding solace in their humour.

Countries involved in conflicts, such as Iraq, were not included.

The 20 happiest nations in the World are:

1. Denmark
2. Switzerland
3. Austria
4. Iceland
5. The Bahamas
6. Finland
7. Sweden
8. Bhutan
9. Brunei
10. Canada
11. Ireland
12. Luxembourg
13. Costa Rica
14. Malta
15. The Netherlands
16. Antigua and Barbuda
17. Malaysia
18. New Zealand
19. Norway
20. The Seychelles

Other notable results include:

23. USA
35. Germany
41. UK
62. France
82. China
90. Japan
125. India
167. Russia

The three least happy countries were:

176. Democratic Republic of the Congo
177. Zimbabwe
178. Burundi