Happiness is relative, and in the case of a new set of poll results, it is not determined by total GDP or wealth. A recent poll conducted by Gallup and Healthways Global found that Panama and Costa Rica have the happiest and most contented citizens.
The poll, which interviewed over 133,000 people from 135 different countries, revealed that these two countries from Central America garnered the highest scores in three of five elements of well-being: purpose, social, financial, physical, and community.
The study defined "purpose" as how you like the way you live daily and your degree of motivation in achieving your goals. The "social" factor focused on a person's supportive and loving relationships. "Financial" and "physical" aspects looked at economic status and health. Lastly, "community" highlighted the extent to which people liked where they lives, had a sense of community pride, and felt safe.
According to Dan Witters, research director of the Gallup and Healthways Well-Being Index, the process involved a multipronged and comprehensive measurements of subjective well-being. He added that it is unlikely that a similar poll has been implemented before.
For Healthways International president Peter Chouieri, improvements in a country's well-being scores can translate into economic growth.
The poll rated participating countries as either of the three categories, namely; "thriving", "struggling", or "suffering".
Based on the results of the survey, the top ten happiest and most satisfied countries are, in order: Panama, Costa Rica, Denmark, Austria, Brazil, Uruguay, El Salvador, Sweden, Guatemala, and Canada.
The researchers shared that Panama, the number one in overall well-being, scored highest in four out of five categories. However, Panama ranked 29th in the financial category, while Costa Rica ranked 38th.
The survey results also discovered that only 17 percent of the global population is thriving in at least three elements.
The United States ranked twelfth in overall well-being, but is 25th in the physical and community categories. This implies that Americans are more unhealthy and disconnected than citizens of 24 other countries.