Happyland: Believe it or not we're all feeling good... and nobody's happier than the Danes

Forget rising fuel costs, falling house values, inflation, stagflation and the rest  -  because the world is getting happier.

It may not seem like it, but social scientists say we have never had it so good  -  and that's reflected in a global feeling of wellbeing.

According to their survey, Denmark's residents are the happiest in the world, thanks to its peaceful atmosphere, democracy and social equality, while Britain was placed 21st in the list.

Those polled were asked just two questions to assess their contentment.

1. 'Taking all things together, would you say you are very happy, rather happy, not very happy, or not at all happy?'

2. 'All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days?'

And overall, compared to a similar survey 20 years ago, the researchers say we're a lot happier.

Professor Ron Inglehart, of the University of Michigan, directed the study. He said: 'I strongly suspect that there is a strong correlation between peace and happiness.

'Ultimately, the most important determinant of happiness is the extent to which people have free choice in how to live their lives.'

Canada, which, as the Mail reported yesterday, is trying to woo British workers with fast-track immigration visas and promises of the good life, was placed ninth.

The US came 16th. But although Britain is lower down the scale, we are happier than many of our European neighbours. France came in at 36, Spain, 43, Italy, 45, and Portugal, 46.

Denmark's colourful capital Copenhagen

Germany was still divided by the researchers. The West came in at 34, and the former communist East at 48.

Professor Inglehart acknowledged that the simplicity of the questions made it possible to argue that the response would vary according to how a respondent felt on a particular day.

But he said so many people took part in so many countries that the research accurately reflected overall trends.

The most miserable place in the world was Zimbabwe, found the survey of 97 countries. Iraq was just seven places higher.

The survey seems to add weight to the opinion of Transport Minister Tom Harris, who last month asked why Britons were 'so bloody miserable'.

Mr Harris said the public had 'never been so wealthy' despite the credit crunch hitting the economy. He claimed we were spending money on food and clothes in sums that would have 'made our parents gasp'.

However, he then apologised if he had caused offence.

Mr Harris claimed that he had been trying to start a debate about why we found it hard to find 'contentment when we have so much material wealth'.

The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen - capital of the happiest country in the world