This came up in various studies I have seen that Nordic countries are the best.
Here is why



Quote:

.........  The Nordic countries all rank high in equality, meaning the inequality of happiness is virtually non-existent. Most of their populations consider themselves to be happy. "And it turns out that people are happier living in countries where the happiness gap is smaller. And where is the happiness gap the smallest? Well, in the happy countries," said Helliwell to Euronews Next. ........... ...............  Data shows people are more satisfied with their lives in countries where there is institutional quality. That’s usually divided into the democratic quality and delivery quality. The latter is the one more strongly related to citizen happiness, according to the WHR: good pensions, generous parental leaves, maintenance for the ill and disabled, free health and education, solid unemployment benefits, etc. Quality government institutions are successful at making inequality levels very low, and that makes people happy because they feel they can trust their public institutions.     ............ ..................  Researchers have come up with a strong link between progressive taxation - a tax rate that increases as the taxable amount increases - and people’s assessment of how happy they are. Progressive taxation leads to happiness via public and common goods such as health care, education, and public transportation that the taxation helps to fund. And ultimately, you guessed it, trust. People trust the money will be used and distributed wisely. Again, in more equal societies, people trust each other more. And social trust contributes to the building of better institutions.       ............... .............  "We find people are much, much happier if they feel they're in an environment where people are going to watch their back. And it's really important to tell people that because they fail to understand all over the world how generous other people are," says Helliwell. He says that the trust we place in others is in fact higher than what we take it to be. Lacking this trust makes us unhappy. Or at least, not happy like the Nordics. Helliwell also says one of the reasons people underestimate the benevolence of their neighbours is because they don’t hear about it in the media. "Which makes a case for good news and shows they are really important because it's what determines what you think of your neighbours," he said.         ...........

https://www.euronews.com/health/2024/03/23/why-do-people-in-nordic-countries-consistently-rank-as-the-happiest-and-what-can-we-learn-#:~:text=The%20Nordic%20countries%20all%20rank,the%20happiness%20gap%20is%20smaller.

It is because of socialism. 

tickleandrose wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 9:25am:

It is because of socialism.

and high taxes

Australia - 10th on the list, out of 143. What's not to like?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Happiness_Report

Because they have a culture and traditions unlike Australia.

Laugh till you cry wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 2:03pm:

Because they have a culture and traditions unlike Australia.

Actually, their culture and traditions are most closely related to and resemble Australia's.

Frank wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 4:35pm:

Laugh till you cry wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 2:03pm: Because they have a culture and traditions unlike Australia. Actually, their culture and traditions are most closely related to and resemble Australia's.

no they are not :D

John Smith wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 4:38pm:

Frank wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 4:35pm: Laugh till you cry wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 2:03pm: Because they have a culture and traditions unlike Australia. Actually, their culture and traditions are most closely related to and resemble Australia's. no they are not :D

Well, you are an ignorant, thick yokel, so what would you know about history or culture or anything else? Nuffin'.
Go, sweep up.

Frank wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 5:01pm:

John Smith wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 4:38pm: Frank wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 4:35pm: Laugh till you cry wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 2:03pm: Because they have a culture and traditions unlike Australia. Actually, their culture and traditions are most closely related to and resemble Australia's. no they are not :D Well, you are an ignorant, thick yokel, so what would you know about history or culture or anything else? Nuffin'. Go, sweep up.

I know you're full of crap, thats what I know. My sisters been living in Norway for over 20 yrs, don't try tell me out cultures are the same.

I suspect that for you 'cultures are the same' = 'white skin', that's how stupid you are

Eating raw fish, drinking warm beer and burning Quran, what else do you need for happiness?

Laugh till you cry wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 2:03pm:

Because they have a culture and traditions unlike Australia.

Where I am from, we have a large presence of people who settled the Central Qld region from Nordic regions.

Judging you by your writing (if I am allowed to do that), you seem to have a bit of a Nordic culture about you, too.

tallowood wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 5:36pm:

Eating raw fish, drinking warm beer and burning Quran, what else do you need for happiness?

I am amazed at the number of Moslems that have no problem ripping out pages of their Korans, to demonstrate how Islam is now changing with the new modern century. The extremists don't like it one bit, and would go after the Moslems. Whereas, the traditionalist Moslems would not like the practice of apparent blasphemy. Yet, they have no way of getting the vandals to repent, for fear that the traditionalists would get abandoned by their general community.

Quote:

Where I am from, we have a large presence of people who settled the Central Qld region from Nordic regions.

Remind them sauna back home.

John Smith wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 5:07pm:

Frank wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 5:01pm: John Smith wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 4:38pm: Frank wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 4:35pm: Laugh till you cry wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 2:03pm: Because they have a culture and traditions unlike Australia. Actually, their culture and traditions are most closely related to and resemble Australia's. no they are not :D Well, you are an ignorant, thick yokel, so what would you know about history or culture or anything else? Nuffin'. Go, sweep up. I know you're full of crap, thats what I know. My sisters been living in Norway for over 20 yrs, don't try tell me out cultures are the same. I suspect that for you 'cultures are the same' = 'white skin', that's how stupid you are

You are an ignorant and incomprehending yokel, thicko.

I said related and resemble. You, idiotically, take that to mean same. Just to show off how thick you are.

Carry on.

They are happy because of the Lindisfarne viking raid which gave them expensive books, art, treasures, ornaments and slaves.  Pillage and rape. Woollen socks.

John Smith wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 1:47pm:

tickleandrose wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 9:25am: It is because of socialism. and high taxes

Both comments are quite correct


Quote:

............  Researchers have come up with a strong link between progressive taxation - a tax rate that increases as the taxable amount increases - and people’s assessment of how happy they are. Progressive taxation leads to happiness via public and common goods such as health care, education, and public transportation that the taxation helps to fund. And ultimately, you guessed it, trust. People trust the money will be used and distributed wisely. .............

Same as here. Those that can pay more do.
It makes for a more equitable society, which is happier overall.

For some 60 years America and Australia have been becoming less equitable and less unified.
Rich have paid less tax and got richer.
Poor have been harder treated and become less happy.

Whether a person has $20B or $180B probably does not affect their happiness.
If that society has good hospitals, working conditions  and infrastructure that is positive for the whole society.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 7:54pm:

John Smith wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 1:47pm: tickleandrose wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 9:25am: It is because of socialism. and high taxes Both comments are quite correct

Pretty simplistic.

https://www.compareyourcountry.org/tax-revenues

The French should be the happiest people if it was that simple.
But they riot more than anyone else.

The Italians and the Greeks should also be happier but they aren't.



Nauru and Lesotho are up there with tax take but not happiness.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_by_tax_revenue_to_GDP_ratio

Australia also ranks quite well in happiness surveys. We're barely socialist at all, compared to Sweden, but we have natural advantages similar to Norway.

Income taxes cause suffering, while government spending alleviates it. It's a great advantage to have revenue from other sources, like corporate taxes or resource levies.

Frank wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 8:03pm:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 7:54pm: John Smith wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 1:47pm: tickleandrose wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 9:25am: It is because of socialism. and high taxes Both comments are quite correct Pretty simplistic. https://www.compareyourcountry.org/tax-revenues The French should be the happiest people if it was that simple. But they riot more than anyone else. The Italians and the Greeks should also be happier but they aren't. Nauru and Lesotho are up there with tax take but not happiness. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_by_tax_revenue_to_GDP_ratio

Nauru and Lesotho have tiny tax bases. Poor countries in general can't solve their problems with tax. Hence why we give them foreign aid.

And France is ranked 27th (of 143) which isn't that terrible.

https://happiness-report.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/WHR+24.pdf

France does have high 'tax' rate (in the broadest sense,) but it includes compulsory unemployment insurance, retirement insurance, health insurance and so on. In Australia these are payed by the state (though super is subsidized.) Total tax rates for those below medium income, are actually quite high.

Worldwide there's a problem of more and more money going to corporations (including obviously banks.) We need an international compact to tax them more, because they can easily relocate to whoever offers the easiest tax regime.

Frank wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 8:03pm:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 7:54pm: John Smith wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 1:47pm: tickleandrose wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 9:25am: It is because of socialism. and high taxes Both comments are quite correct Pretty simplistic. https://www.compareyourcountry.org/tax-revenues The French should be the happiest people if it was that simple. But they riot more than anyone else. The Italians and the Greeks should also be happier but they aren't. Nauru and Lesotho are up there with tax take but not happiness. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_by_tax_revenue_to_GDP_ratio

yes, it is a very simplistic abbreviation of a very large document.
Quite a few other factors are in play.
eg, the populace have to have confidence the Govt is not corrupt and is acting responsibly.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 9:39pm:

Frank wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 8:03pm: Sprintcyclist wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 7:54pm: John Smith wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 1:47pm: tickleandrose wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 9:25am: It is because of socialism. and high taxes Both comments are quite correct Pretty simplistic. https://www.compareyourcountry.org/tax-revenues The French should be the happiest people if it was that simple. But they riot more than anyone else. The Italians and the Greeks should also be happier but they aren't. Nauru and Lesotho are up there with tax take but not happiness. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_by_tax_revenue_to_GDP_ratio yes, it is a very simplistic abbreviation of a very large document. Quite a few other factors are in play. eg, the populace have to have confidence the Govt is not corrupt and is acting responsibly.

In the worst cases, the tax money never gets spent. It's embezzled at various levels of government.

In Australia, with much more tax money to spend, it doesn't make much difference that politicians have their housing and transport paid for. But in Nauru that's serious money of the taxpayer's pocket which is never put back in the other pocket.

Resentment is surely a factor in unhappiness. It's not just that the people aren't getting spending on their needs (and wants) but they're just plain unhappy about how the "other half" are living. They are unhappy about the "rich" too of course, but the rich aren't taking their money at the point of a gun.

tallowood wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 6:11pm:

Quote: Where I am from, we have a large presence of people who settled the Central Qld region from Nordic regions. Remind them sauna back home.

That is probably the reason. And the Scandinavians liked the bitter cold, dry weather we had. Many settled inland near Mount Morgan.

UnSubRocky wrote on Oct 12^th, 2024 at 11:33am:

tallowood wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 6:11pm: Quote: Where I am from, we have a large presence of people who settled the Central Qld region from Nordic regions. Remind them sauna back home. That is probably the reason. And the Scandinavians liked the bitter cold, dry weather we had. Many settled inland near Mount Morgan.

I spent few months in Mount Morgan years ago. The place was in depression because closer of the gold mine.
I was contracted by Renaissance Gold to find more gold there. I actually liked the town.

Aurora Complexus wrote on Oct 11^th, 2024 at 9:23pm:

Australia also ranks quite well in happiness surveys. We're barely socialist at all, compared to Sweden, but we have natural advantages similar to Norway. Income taxes cause suffering, while government spending alleviates it. It's a great advantage to have revenue from other sources, like corporate taxes or resource levies.

Good points.

A nation's resource endowments are also vital for national prosperity and happiness.

Oz doesn't tax (levy) it's gas resource sufficiently, the profits are going overseas. 

Fewer Mussos?  I'm curious...... not that there's ... you know...

Their Indigenous control their land, water and resources under a sort of middling socialist arrangement designed to benefit the nation as a whole... here, of course, the demand is for our First Invaders, Groups Various Of, to be handed total control over land, water and resources .. it's a part of their grab for Apartheidist Supremacy of The Minority = Aboriginal Supremacism pursued via the states, under control of the Kentral Kommissariat in Kanberra (KKK), licking their nuts and pushing forward with all their demands, bit by bit, this being clearly a Voice By Stealth and more.

That'll give their ulcers an acid boost....

tallowood wrote on Oct 12^th, 2024 at 12:01pm:

UnSubRocky wrote on Oct 12th, 2024 at 11:33am: tallowood wrote on Oct 11th, 2024 at 6:11pm: Quote: Where I am from, we have a large presence of people who settled the Central Qld region from Nordic regions. Remind them sauna back home. That is probably the reason. And the Scandinavians liked the bitter cold, dry weather we had. Many settled inland near Mount Morgan. I spent few months in Mount Morgan years ago. The place was in depression because closer of the gold mine. I was contracted by Renaissance Gold to find more gold there. I actually liked the town.

Gold is notorious for being volatile. You have the world price which isn't at all stable, but you also have a 'trajectory' of gold extraction. Very high at first (a "gold boom") but always diminishing until it hits the price of extraction.

Oil is different. The world price is always increasing, however individual oil wells have diminishing production. Fracking bends the curve, but even the best fracked wells in the US have higher costs than the "gushers" in the Middle East.

Bringing us to Australia's "gold mine" which is gas. We should be taxing gas EXPORTS up to the point they shrink significantly (and domestic gas users are very pleased.) Then back it off. Gas companies can't be trusted to say where the profitability after tax point is. They will only tell the truth with their money.


Coal is also very profitable for Australia, and what the greenies like to ignore is that Australia is rich in metallurgical coal: that is, the coal which essential for making steel. It's possible to substitute aluminium, however virtually all aluminium is smelted using electricity. I read somewhere that aluminium has four times the carbon footprint of steel (kilo for kilo.) In any case, we're not going back to a world without steel OR aluminium. You can make a house out of mud, but you can't make a road or rail overpass.