Key Finding

8. Happiness is ... opportunity, good health, relationships, and the freedom to choose who you want to be

The highest levels of overall life satisfaction are reported in countries which score best in the areas of health, safety, freedom, and social capital. The Prosperity Index is able to determine which factors influence people's happiness more than others. The results show that being able to choose the course of your life is the most important ingredient of happiness – along with your good health and relationships.

INSIGHT: The ability to freely move, worship, and choose one’s way in life matter more to people’s sense of satisfaction than how tolerant they feel their country is. People's capacity to participate in their political systems affects their levels of personal wellbeing more than how much corruption they perceive in their local government and businesses. The ability to build trusting relationships and participate in social networks contributes more to life satisfaction than being helped by a stranger through donations or volunteering. Personal safety has a greater effect on one’s sense of wellbeing than the protection of material possessions. All in all, countries in which people can freely pursue opportunity amidst high levels of trust and safety are also the happiest, most prosperous countries.