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Britons are the grumpiest in Europe
Last updated at 23:52pm on 16.04.07
Great British grouch: Richard Wilson as TV's Victor Meldrew
Our level of happiness fell in the bottom half of a table of Western European nations while our level of satisfaction with life was even lower down the rankings.
The findings - based on 20,000 interviews across the continent - suggest the last 15 years of continuous economic success and rising wealth have not produced corresponding increase in general well-being.
Researchers from Cambridge University who prepared the report, said "the slump in public contentment could be due to flagging trust in the Government and other institutions".
Dr Luisa Corrado, who led the project, added: "It shows that trust in society is very, very important.
"The countries that scored highest for happiness also reported the highest levels of trust in their governments, laws and each other.
"The UK shows falling trust in government, the police and other institutions and higher social distrust, which might explain why the level of happiness among British people has also fallen."
The report comes a week after the Whitehall snapshot of life in Britain, Social Trends, showed a country that is increasingly overcrowded, lonely, fragmented, noisy and bad-tempered.
Researchers who carried out the latest survey asked interviewees to rate both their happiness and their sense of long-term fulfilment out of ten.
They then checked the answers against a set of questions to work out why people were happy or unhappy.
The findings suggested money does not bring happiness. But friends and family, a good job, trust in those around you and the way your society is run, do.
On the happiness rating, Denmark was the most successful country in Europe, its people ranking themselves 8.3 out of ten. Ireland was close to the top, at 7.98 out of ten, and Belgium came in
seventh out of 15 European countries at 7.75.
Britons, however, rated themselves at ninth out of 15, giving themselves 7.47 out of 10 for happiness.
In terms of satisfaction with life, Denmark was again top and Britain at tenth again, rated below Ireland and Belgium, at 7.11 out of 10.
In both tables France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Greece were listed below Britain.
Inside the UK, London, East Anglia and the East Midlands were the happiest regions with scores of over eight.
Scotland, Wales, the North of England and the South West all showed falling levels of happiness between 2002 and 2004 and rated 7.5 out of 10.
The report said that women are generally happier than men, and both young and old are happier than those in middle life.
It added: "One of the most consistent trends is that those with the highest levels of happiness also reported the highest levels of trust in their governments, the police and the justice system.
"Happier people also tended to have plenty of friends and acquaintances, as well as at least one very close friend or partner. The report appears to confirm the old adage that money can't buy happiness."
The league table of happiness has been compiled at a time when politicians are becoming increasingly interested in the idea of promoting well-being.
Last year David Cameron risked ridicule by promising a Tory government would focus on 'general wellbeing' rather than wealth creation.
Reader views (10)
Consider the reality of a "Global War on Terror" i.e., World War III; the degradation of the environment which may well spell a horrific end to humankind if nuclear weapons don't do it first; an economic system with the social conscience of a psychopath; well then, is it any wonder people are unhappy? My suggestion -- get stupid. The less you know, the greater your chances of joking and grinning.
- James, Lyon, France
Too much Health and Safety, too much P.C., too many speed cameras, too many stealth taxes, too much involvement in wars, a lot to be cheerful about!
- Brian, Bristol
Thanks to Gordon. Thanks to Tony. Thanks to Ken.
- Fredy, London
Living under the control of dictator Tony Blair, What do you expect. He is trying to control everything we do.
- Affaiec, Stourbridge UK
When Britons are barraged by a daily tirade of bad news from the media, nitpicking at every success, revelling in our failures and celebrating the 'build 'em up, knock 'em down' culture, it doesn't surprise me this rubs off on the population. People don't realise how lucky they are to live in a modern, stable country with a good economy. We have our problems with transport, crime and pollution, etc, but a look at other countries around the world will make us realise they are facing the same, if not worse, problems.
- Darren, London
I'm happy, the only way I can keep myself that way is to dangle the carrot of moving to New Zealand in front of myself. This country's going down the tubes at a rate of knots.
- Trevor Roll, London
With the "Minority Centric, Politically Correct" politics being played out in our country today, what else would you expect?
- Frank, Home Counties
We are not grumpy and I'll thump anyone who says we are. Grrrrrrr!
- Paul, London
That's a lie - Catalans are the grumpiest!
- H, London
How can you be happy when your government wants to destroy our country? When we are treated like second class citizens in the country bequeathed to us by our ancestors? We are abused and insulted on a daily basis.
- Ben, London, England
