The second United Nations' World Happiness Report shows that the world is becoming a happier place with 60 of the 130 countries analyzed improving. What is going on in the 30% of countries, including the United States, where happiness is declining?
The World Happiness Report is a key element of the effort to get the world's leaders to use well-being to measure national progress and guide policy, rather than just looking to economic outcomes such as Gross National Product (GNP).
"This year's report finds that Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Sweden are the happiest countries, while the United States ranks 17th out of 156 countries," reports Ben Schiller. "A string of African countries are at the bottom of the list, including Togo, Benin, and Burundi--along with some other countries, like Bulgaria (144th place) and Georgia (134th)."
The report ties six key variables to changes in national levels of happiness: "real GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, having someone to count on, perceived freedom to make life choices, freedom from corruption, and generosity."
"The Report also shows the major beneficial side-effects of happiness," says the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). "Happy people live longer, are more productive, earn more, and are also better citizens. Well-being should be developed both for its own sake and for its side-effects."
FULL STORY: The 10 Happiest Countries In The World, And Why We're Not One Of Them
What Kind Of Commute Makes People Happy?
The conventional planning wisdom seems to be that long drives are less beneficial to well-being than a short walk. But what about other commuting options?
Measuring Well-Being in Santa Monica
The beachfront town known for its surfers and celebrities is collecting data that dig deeper than traditional measures of economic prosperity, and the results may be surprising.
Mapping the Nation's Well-Being
Who's the happiest and healthiest of them all? The New York Times posts an interactive map of the national Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service