Two recent surveys have found that Russians are the unhappiest people in Europe even though many people feel that the quality of living is getting better in most regions. Only 37 per cent of Russians told Hamburg’s Foundation for Future Studies that they were happy with their lives. It is the lowest score of 13 nations surveyed and well down on the Euro average of 68 per cent.

      The survey's organizers usually draw a link between economic stability and personal happiness, but many Russian experts think that problems come from that mysterious Russian mentality, which has perplexed outsiders for generations. They say the Russian set of mind is tuned for reflection and self-deprecation. It doesn't mean that Russians can't be kind or cheerful, one just needs to draw them away from their gloomy thoughts.

      Still the Institute of Regional Information found that improved scores for individual income, along with public safety, child mortality, the attractiveness of the region, development of services and employment opportunities, were edging the national quality of life higher. Moscow and Petersburg, as the country’s financial powerhouses, top the happiness charts.

      Within the survey, 15,000 interviewees older than 14 years old across 13 countries were asked to rate their happiness. The most satisfied Europeans live in Denmark where 97 per cent are happy. It should be pointed out that debt-laden Greece recorded 80 per cent happiness, while Germany’s economic powerhouse polled just 61 per cent – the third most miserable nation after Russia and Poland. So the economical indicators don't always play the crucial role in people's happiness. 

Source: The Moscow News KP.ru

Poll: How Happy Are You?