On Thu, 20 Mar 2025 04:39:07 +0000,
savoybg@aol.com (Bruce) wrote:
https://www.aol.com/finland-again-ranked-happiest-country-003814984.html
The US and the UK are both outside the top 20.
The World Happiness Report evaluates countries as a whole, often
averaging out the experiences of diverse populations. Metrics like GDP
per capita, social support, and life expectancy may reflect the
broader economic and social conditions but donÆt always account for
the *disparities within a country*.
For places like the US and UK, where income inequality is significant
and a substantial portion of the population lives paycheck to
paycheck, the overall ranking might not resonate with those struggling
daily. While these countries score high due to factors like freedom, infrastructure, and opportunities, the lived experiences of
marginalized groups or those in poverty may contrast sharply with the "happiness" represented by the rankings.
In 2025, approximately 67% of Americans report living paycheck to
paycheck.
A 2024 UK survey indicated that 77% of workers would struggle
financially if their paycheck were delayed by just a week.
A World Happiness Report tailored to the *working class* could look significantly different. Happiness and satisfaction are deeply tied to *expectations*, circumstances, and lived realities. For working-class
people, priorities often center around financial stability, job
security, access to affordable healthcare, and community support. If
these needs aren't met, broader metrics like GDP per person or
national freedom may feel abstract and disconnected from daily
struggles.
Places where communities foster solidarity or cultural expectations
align with modest living could also stand out, as happiness may stem
from *contentment* rather than material wealth.
Happiness for the working class might be more closely tied to whether
their fundamental needs are met, how much stress they experience, and
the quality of their relationships and community support. In countries
like Rwanda and Botswana for instance, those aspects might be better
aligned with cultural expectations and community resilience, offering
a form of contentment not always found in wealthier nations like the
US and UK.
(Rwanda and Botswana, for example, have seen improvements in public
health and education, which can positively impact happiness.)
In other words, the majority of poor folk in Botswana could be happier
than the majority of poor folk in the US and UK, casting doubt over
the meaningfulness of The World Happiness Report.
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