Study: World Gets HappierBy LiveScience Staff
posted: 30 June 2008 12:42 pm ET
Despite the anxieties of these times, happiness has been on the rise around the world in recent years, a new survey finds.
The upbeat outlook is attributed to economic growth in previously poor countries, democratization of others, and rising social tolerance for women and minority groups.
"It's a surprising finding," said University of Michigan political scientist Ronald Inglehart, who headed up the survey. "It's widely believed that it's almost impossible to raise an entire country's happiness level."
...
"The results clearly show that the happiest societies are those that allow people the freedom to choose how to live their lives," Inglehart said.
Happiness is on the March link
