A recent World Values Survey on the levels of happiness
in more than 65 countries shows Nigeria has the highest
percentage of happy people followed by Mexico, Venezuela,
El Salvador and Puerto Rico.

Russia, Armenia and Romania have the fewest. “New
Zealand ranked 15 for overall satisfaction, the U.S. 16th,
Australia 20th and Britain 24th — though Australia beats
the other three for day-to-day happiness,” said New
Scientist magazine, which published the results.

New Scientist says that factors that make people happy
vary: personal success, self-expression, pride, and a high
sense of self-esteem are important in the United States. In
Japan, on the other hand, happiness comes from fulfilling
the expectations of your family, meeting your social
responsibilities, self-discipline, cooperation and
friendliness.