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Denmark | One of the happiest countries in the world
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class="breadcrumb-link" href="/people-and-culture">People and Culture</a> <a class="breadcrumb-link" href="/people-and-culture/happiness">Are we really that happy?</a> </div> </div> </div> </nav> <div class="contentheader contentheader-default "> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 "> <div class="contentheader-body contentheader-default-body"> <div class="page-title-container"> <span class="page-title-prefix"> culture </span> <h1> <span class="page-title"> Why are Danish people so happy? </span> </h1> </div> <div class="page-summary"> International surveys usually rank Denmark among the world’s happiest countries. But what makes Danish people so happy? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container-fluid container-fluid-metadata"> <div class="page-metadata-content-container"> <div class="page-metadata-content"> <div class="share-buttons"> <ul class="share-buttons-list"> <li class="share-buttons-item"> <a class="share-buttons-item-link" target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3a%2f%2fdenmark.dk%2fpeople-and-culture%2fhappiness" title="Facebook" rel="noopener"> <span class="share-buttons-item-icon fa fa-facebook"></span> <span class="sr-only">Facebook</span> </a> </li> <li class="share-buttons-item"> <a class="share-buttons-item-link" target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3a%2f%2fdenmark.dk%2fpeople-and-culture%2fhappiness&title=Among the happiest countries" title="LinkedIn" rel="noopener"> <span class="share-buttons-item-icon fa fa-linkedin"></span> <span class="sr-only">LinkedIn</span> </a> </li> <li class="share-buttons-item"> <a class="share-buttons-item-link" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3a%2f%2fdenmark.dk%2fpeople-and-culture%2fhappiness&text=Among the happiest countries" title="Twitter" rel="noopener"> <span class="share-buttons-item-icon fa fa-twitter"></span> <span class="sr-only">Twitter</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="ContentZone" class="content-zone"> <div id="module-4027C70596C04CC7ACCC32D801D8A0A8" class="module module-text module-text-default module-id-4027C70596C04CC7ACCC32D801D8A0A8 module-colorscheme-none " > <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"> <div class="module-body module-text-body module-body-id-4027C70596C04CC7ACCC32D801D8A0A8 " > <p>When international surveys ask citizens around the world how happy they are with their daily lives and personal circumstances, Denmark always comes in among the top three happiest countries in the world. But what makes the Danes so happy? Is it the tuition-free access to high-quality education, or the no-fee public health care? Is it the relative lack of crime and corruption, or just plain Danish<em> hygge</em>?</p> <p>According to the World Happiness Report, happiness is closely linked to social equality and community spirit - and Denmark does well on both. Denmark has a high level of equality and a strong sense of common responsibility for social welfare. Even though there are nine major political parties in Denmark, none of them seriously supports dismantling the Danish welfare state. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="module-1D03ED7F08FF427D8CA00542D5F3C21C" class="module module-image module-id-1D03ED7F08FF427D8CA00542D5F3C21C module-colorscheme-none " > <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"> <div class="module-body module-image-body module-body-id-1D03ED7F08FF427D8CA00542D5F3C21C " > <figure class="module-image-figure"> <img class='b-lazy 'src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw' data-src='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/happiness/danish-family-happy.ashx?mw=1600&hash=92CDDCBFDDB6F7DA8DF719A6350D4A59' data-src-lg='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/happiness/danish-family-happy.ashx?mw=1366&hash=325E97ACD7174F2BD0B3A7F54C232936' data-src-md='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/happiness/danish-family-happy.ashx?mw=1024&hash=848E6A8CB6279122DA6FF1CC3429CEC9' data-src-sm='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/happiness/danish-family-happy.ashx?mw=667&hash=BB2DD4E91BBD5D4CC2A51C988F5886AB' data-src-xs='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/happiness/danish-family-happy.ashx?mw=480&hash=5D54333F6434DBAC3148DE8CD0BDE1A6' alt='Danish-family-happy' /> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div id="module-6A78479135204840A23FBD08136D1425" class="module module-text module-text-default module-id-6A78479135204840A23FBD08136D1425 module-colorscheme-none " > <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"> <div class="module-body module-text-body module-body-id-6A78479135204840A23FBD08136D1425 " > <h2>"I'm happy to pay taxes"</h2> <p>People living in Denmark pay some of the world's highest taxes - up to half of their income. On top of this, Danes pay a 25 % value-added tax on most items, and a tax of up to 150 % on new cars. </p> <p>But most Danes will tell you that they are happy to pay taxes because they can see what they get in return. Most healthcare in Denmark is provided with no fee to the patient. University students pay no tuition and receive a grant to help cover expenses while studying. Childcare is subsidised. And the elderly receive pensions and are provided with care helpers who visit them at home. <br /> <br />Most Danes believe that it is everyone's responsibility to work if they can, and pay taxes to support the common good. If everyone pays their fair share, a social safety net can remain in place to support the very young, the very old, and the sick. The social safety net also supports people who lose their jobs for up to two years while they look for new jobs, although a system is in place to make sure they are actively looking for work.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="module-275C49A05C7249D19AEA8730CCFDE9D3" class="module module-quote module-quote-withimage module-id-275C49A05C7249D19AEA8730CCFDE9D3 module-colorscheme-none " > <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"> <div class="module-body module-quote-body module-quote-withimage-body module-body-id-275C49A05C7249D19AEA8730CCFDE9D3 " > <blockquote class="module-quote-blockquote module-quote-withimage-blockquote"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-7 text-container"> <div class="module-quote-body-icon"> <img src="/Images/quote-icon_black.png" alt="quote ikon"> </div> <div class="module-quote-content"> In Denmark, few have too much, and even fewer have too little. </div> <footer> <cite> <span class="module-quote-source-primary"> Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, 1820 </span> <span class="module-quote-source-secondary"> Influential danish thinker and priest </span> </cite> </footer> </div> <div class="col-md-5 col-module-quote-withimage-imagecontainer"> <div class="module-body-image module-quote-body-image module-quote-withimage-body-image"> <img class='b-lazy 'src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw' data-src='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/happiness/nfs-grundtvig-danish-author-philosopher.ashx?mw=1600&hash=BE18A9F82756249D429E2459EC8DCBDC' data-src-lg='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/happiness/nfs-grundtvig-danish-author-philosopher.ashx?mw=1366&hash=C4BC2AC33916F399B031BE76056FBB86' data-src-md='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/happiness/nfs-grundtvig-danish-author-philosopher.ashx?mw=1024&hash=56ECC6F6D7466682B9ECBA7BB327DB3E' data-src-sm='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/happiness/nfs-grundtvig-danish-author-philosopher.ashx?mw=667&hash=421B7EB9570BA031A14BBA1E53D69753' data-src-xs='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/happiness/nfs-grundtvig-danish-author-philosopher.ashx?mw=480&hash=CAA4346FAC41DC88DEB678FB0245A41F' alt='NFS-Grundtvig-Danish-Author-Philosopher' /> </div> </div> </div> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div id="module-099C62EFA2A64DD091CCF5FF4EC392D4" class="module module-text module-text-default module-id-099C62EFA2A64DD091CCF5FF4EC392D4 module-colorscheme-none " > <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"> <div class="module-body module-text-body module-body-id-099C62EFA2A64DD091CCF5FF4EC392D4 " > <h2>Trust and safety</h2> <p>Trust is an essential value in Danish culture and society, and a significant factor in Danish happiness. In Denmark, the default is to trust one another when it comes to business, government, or personal relationships. Honesty is expected, and corruption in business or among public servants is very rare. <br /> <br />The relatively high level of safety in Denmark compared to many other countries means that Danish children enjoy much more freedom and independence than their counterparts elsewhere in the world. It is common to see children travelling alone on public transport as young as age 8 or 9 - the other passengers keep an eye on them. It is also common practice for parents to leave their babies outside in their baby carriages to nap, even during the chilly Danish winter. </p> <p>And it is usually safe to walk or bicycle in Denmark at any time of the day or night.</p> <p> <a href="/people-and-culture/trust">Read more about trust in Danish society.</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="module-2E1D18873269439DBE1565C240EE9CEF" class="module module-gallery module-id-2E1D18873269439DBE1565C240EE9CEF module-colorscheme-none " > <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"> <div class="module-body module-gallery-body module-body-id-2E1D18873269439DBE1565C240EE9CEF " > <div class="gallery-inner"> <div class="gallery-columns-2 gallery-list"> <div class="gallery-item"> <img class='b-lazy 'src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw' data-src='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/hygge/two-boys-sitting-in-windowsill.ashx?mw=1600&hash=E7EEF5719617FF7675F19F204B9C2A4F' data-src-lg='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/hygge/two-boys-sitting-in-windowsill.ashx?mw=1366&hash=48263335FC69044FA1F5B582279356E7' data-src-md='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/hygge/two-boys-sitting-in-windowsill.ashx?mw=1024&hash=C90211131DDB92002C963674EADF066C' data-src-sm='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/hygge/two-boys-sitting-in-windowsill.ashx?mw=667&hash=984D84AC5D0C584321B19244E8A2C4DE' data-src-xs='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/hygge/two-boys-sitting-in-windowsill.ashx?mw=480&hash=8FECAADC06D24FEC39AAF6054055C6C8' alt='Two boys sitting in windowsill' /> </div> <div class="gallery-item"> <img class='b-lazy 'src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw' data-src='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/hygge/dandelion-field-handstand.ashx?mw=1600&hash=A570ECFF5918C00794DFE61ADAA2E1E4' data-src-lg='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/hygge/dandelion-field-handstand.ashx?mw=1366&hash=DA5A34E1192CC7626113C34F9454F356' data-src-md='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/hygge/dandelion-field-handstand.ashx?mw=1024&hash=2DFD955D57F328150BB65F7B9BCA37E9' data-src-sm='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/hygge/dandelion-field-handstand.ashx?mw=667&hash=C50647117BCA53DD274137B68B2A9343' data-src-xs='/-/media/websites/denmarkdk/people-and-culture/hygge/dandelion-field-handstand.ashx?mw=480&hash=87D527824165F2B470DCDFA35F0701AC' alt='Dandelion field handstand' /> <div class="gallery-item-caption"> Photo: Niclas Jessen </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="module-57CD9C684C9249AE91A5633FFA3ED18F" class="module module-text module-text-default module-id-57CD9C684C9249AE91A5633FFA3ED18F module-colorscheme-none " > <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"> <div class="module-body module-text-body module-body-id-57CD9C684C9249AE91A5633FFA3ED18F " > <h2>What is Danish <em>hygge</em>?</h2> <p>The Danish concept of <em>hygge</em> is hard to translate, but in general it means taking time away from the daily rush to enjoy the good things in life. <em>Hygge</em> often takes place with family and friends, but you can also <em>hygge</em> (verb) alone, too, maybe with a good book or your favourite TV series. <br /> <br />During the long Danish winters,<em> hygge</em> mostly takes place indoors - playing board games or chatting with friends over a hot beverage. But it can also be <em>hyggeligt </em>(adjective) to take a winter walk in nature and observe how plants and animals are coping with the cold weather. </p> <p>During Denmark's short and often unreliable summers, <em>hygge</em> is centred around Danish summer houses - small, basic homes-away-from-home, where Danes tend gardens and throw big lunch or dinner parties that feature delicious locally-grown strawberries. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="module-62C9FB79B50B45A59F1CDE780BD94E9D" class="module module-focustext module-focustext-default module-id-62C9FB79B50B45A59F1CDE780BD94E9D module-colorscheme-none " > <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"> <div class="module-body module-body-id-62C9FB79B50B45A59F1CDE780BD94E9D " > <div class="module-focustext-content"> <i>Hygge</i> is about enjoying the simple and good parts of life together with people you care about. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="module-E3E243591DA44760AB93EFC9529B4372" class="module module-text module-text-default module-id-E3E243591DA44760AB93EFC9529B4372 module-colorscheme-none " > <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"> <div class="module-body module-text-body module-body-id-E3E243591DA44760AB93EFC9529B4372 " > <h2>Empowerment is key to happiness</h2> <p>Christian Bjørnskov, a professor of economics at Aarhus University, is researching happiness. He sees a strong relationship between happiness and empowerment.</p> <p>"Danes feel empowered to change things in their lives," says Professor Bjørnskov. "What is special about Danish society is that it allows people to choose the kind of life they want to live. They rarely get caught in a trap. This means they're more satisfied with their lives."</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="module-572BCCB0553E4BCDBD2727C69B506AE6" class="module module-manual-list module-id-572BCCB0553E4BCDBD2727C69B506AE6 module-colorscheme-grey-1 " > <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"> <div class="module-body module-body-id-572BCCB0553E4BCDBD2727C69B506AE6 " > <h2 class="module-title-container"> <span class="module-title"> We also recommend </span> </h2> <div> <ul class="row item-list module-list-graphic"> <li class="col-12 col-md-6 col-lg-4 col-third"> <div><span class="list-item-icon fa fa-file"></span></div> <a href="/innovation-and-design/sustainability" class="list-link-item"> <div class="list-item-image-container responsive-background"> <img class='b-lazy 'src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw' 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