Want to Become Happier? Explore the Secret of the Happiest Nation of the World
Occasionally, I was able to travel to Denmark. I was attracted by the beautiful buildings made of odd brick in dark red or blue-gray and the chill lifestyle immediately. Denmark is unrivaled. In the international survey about happiness, Denmark has consistently been ranked as the happiest country of the world. Why are Danish people the happiest people in the world? Let’s go to explore the secret of this fascinating country to have a deep understanding about Danish happiness.
High trust in Society
Trust is very crucial to increase happiness in both private life and society. Danes are considered some of the most trusting people in the world. And why is that?
In Denmark, people not only trust their family and friends, but they also trust the people they have never met before- what anthropologists call a general societal trust. In Denmark, people are assumed to be honest and reliable unless they somehow show that they are not.
This societal trust also consists of trust in Danish institutions like the government, police, judiciary, and health services. There is rare corruption and people who have power in these institutions are authentically showing their interest in society.
Trust is also a key to doing business in Denmark: a Danish company can be expected to deliver high-quality products on schedule, or to be honest about the reason it cannot.
What are the reasons that the Danes are so trusting?
Some experts believe that trust is a culturally determined phenomenon built over time. Trust is learned during childhood from parents, teachers, and institutions, lasts for a lifetime, and is passed on from generation to generation.
There´s another point of view from some anthropologists. They believe it´s due to the historical and geographical context of Denmark. The Nordic region has been a relatively peaceful nook of Europe, with fewer devastating wars and bloody revolutions in history than other parts of the continent. This has offered a stable social frame to develop a political system in which people trust and support each other.
So, trust has been an invisible Danish resource. You can try to build more trust with the people around you to become happier.
Strong Community Spirit and Social Security
Engaging in social activities, participating in community events, and maintaining strong social ties are important aspects of Danish life.
For example, Danish communities organize various events and festivals throughout the year. These events bring people together and create a sense of belonging and shared experiences. Examples include local fairs, cultural celebrations, music festivals, and sports events. Participating in these events helps foster a sense of community and strengthens social connections.
The strong sense of community and belonging contributes to happiness and a sense of fulfillment in Danes.
Because of the high societal trust, there are also fewer social conflict issues and crime. Trust helps avoid many bureaucratic complications, which can significantly improve satisfaction in life. Both reasons help increase security and happiness.
Happy Tax-Payers and High Welfare State
Although Denmark is the highest-taxed country in the world, high taxes in Denmark seem not to prevent their people from being happy and satisfied with their lives.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Danes pay a large amount of tax on their income. Danes’ taxes can take up to half of their income, ranking as the highest taxes in the world. On top of this, they also have to pay a 25% value-added tax on most items. If they want to buy a new car, a tax of up to 150 % will be required.
In fact, Danes are willing to pay the taxes, because of the general societal trust. They believe what they pay for will be well used and they will get benefits in return.
That´s the fact.
Denmark has a well-developed social welfare system that ensures a high standard of living for its citizens. The system achieved low-income inequality and low poverty and also provided free healthcare, education, and unemployment benefits, among other social services. This safety net reduces anxieties related to healthcare, education, and financial stability, which positively impacts happiness levels.
For instance, Danes don’t have to worry about the fees when they get sick. Besides, education in Denmark is free for anyone. Young students get access to university education without any tuition fees.
Danes don’t live for work- a healthy work-life-balance:
Danes do not live for work. The majority of the working time of a full-time job is around 37 hours. This is much lower than the standard working hours of 40 hours in a lot of countries.
Another significant bonus in the Danish working culture is that employers are entitled to have five weeks of paid holiday a year.
Denmark is known for its generous parental leave policies, which prioritize the well-being of families and the bonding between parents and children.
For instance, the mothers are entitled to have 4 weeks of maternity leave before the expected due date and 14 weeks after the birth. Not only do moms get legal maternity leave, but fathers also have the opportunity to take time off for their newborns. In Denmark, fathers are entitled to two weeks of paternity leave immediately following the birth. This period is known as “fædreorlov” and is exclusively reserved for fathers.
In addition, working extra time is not common in Denmark. Danes prioritize work-life balance and have a strong focus on leisure and family time. Danes work simply hard and get home on time.
The Hygge concept
Have you ever heard of Hygge? It’s A bit difficult to translate it directly into English. Hygge describes a cozy, comfortable, and relaxing atmosphere. Hygge is a concept about enjoying the simple and positive parts of life together with people you care about. For instance, Hygge can be associated with informal time with family and friends, lit up candles at the dinner table, or a relaxing night reading a good book alone.
In Winter, Hygge can play board games indoors or meet friends over a hot beverage. It can also be hyggeligt (adjective) to take a walk in nature observing the changes in plants and animals taking place in winter.
In Sommer, hygge is mostly related to being busy in gardens and holding big parties where the locally grown strawberries will be served.
Hygge is deeply ingrained in Danish culture and represents an important aspect of Danish lifestyle and well-being. It focuses on creating a sense of warmth, coziness, and connection, ultimately contributing to a greater overall sense of happiness and contentment.
There is also a book about this Hygge for further reading — The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well written by Meik Wiking. So take your time to enjoy the Hygge moment in life like a Danish.
