VanuatuThe 178-nation “Happy Planet Index” lists the south Pacific island of Vanuatu as the happiest nation on the planet, while the US is ranked 150th and the UK is ranked 108th. Other nations of interest: Cuba-6th; China-31st; Iran-67th; Japan- 95th and Russia- 172nd


Although Vanuatu tops the happiness index, it is ranked 207th out of 233 economies when measured against Gross Domestic Product (GDP). I found this information in an article I was reading from the BBC called “Happiness doesn’t Cost the Earth”

I found the following comment interesting:
“Over the last 50 years, living standards in the West have improved enormously but we have become no happier,” Mr. Layard told the BBC.

In the last 50 years we have lived a life of luxury in comparison to those living before 1955- if you consider that we live in larger homes, have more unnecessary items like ipods, computers, televisions, extra cars, etc.

As we seek to obtain what we perceive to be the American dream, how much of this dream includes the intangibles like time with family, enjoying nature and taking time for you. Happiness is a commodity that is priceless and much harder to attain than a retirement fund.