India ranks 9th on Happiness among 28 global markets: Ipsos Global Happiness Survey

According to a new global survey by Ipsos, India has ranked 9th in the pecking order on Happiness, among 28 nations polled. 

Interestingly, markets with the highest prevalence of happiness are largely the developed nations, known for their citizen centricity ; Australia and Canada tied at the top spot (at 86%) have emerged as the happiest nations of the world, followed by China (83%), Great Britain (82%), France (80%), US (79%) and Saudi Arabia (78%) – these are the eight markets preceding India – and the survey shows that India is a notch below them  (at 77%).

So, which were the markets, lowest on the happiness sweepstakes? Argentina (34%), Spain (46%) and Russia (47%), emerged at the bottom of the heap, among the 28 markets.   

Notably, globally, happiness levels have receded in 2019, vis-à-vis 2018. For India too, there’s been a 6 per cent drop (from 83% in 2018 to 77% in 2019).

What makes Indians happy?

Buddha said, ages ago, ‘There is no path to happiness, happiness is the path.’  Interestingly, the Ipsos global happiness survey, demystifies the true determinants of happiness. 

The factors voted as most important in triggering happiness were: My living conditions (89%), my health/ physical wellbeing (88%), my personal safety and security (88%), my friends (87%), feeling in control of my life  (86%), feeling my life has meaning (86%), my hobbies/ interests (85%), the wellbeing of my country (85%), among others.     

“For Indians it boils down to comfortable living conditions, robust health, good financial conditions, friends and social circle and to have purpose in life. Hobbies and interests are important too,” says Parijat Chakraborty, Country Service Line Leader, Public Affairs and Corporate Reputation, Ipsos India.

 The top global list for happiness, is at slight variance. The top determinants of happiness were: My physical health/ wellbeing (88%), my living conditions (86%), my hobbies/ interests (85%), my personal safety/ security (85%), feeling that my life has meaning (85%), feeling in control of my life (84%), satisfaction with the direction my life is going in (84%), having more money (84%), having more friends (83%), et al.