Denmark: High Taxes, High Gas Prices, Happiness & "Hygge"

What is used in that analysis, besides some obvious subjective elements, are also more tangible ones like health, wealth and access to education - but also how safe you are when you walk the streets and such. In the top 20 you have all the Scandinavian countries including Norway which is so wealthy that they don't know what to do with it (a mich higher gdp pr. capita than in the US or Brunei for example). This bulk of countries use almost the same national approach/model, share the same mind-sets and so forth. So it is not just Denmark, but basically Scandinavia. I honestly think it a bi-product of less corrupt, safer countries over a longer period which has bred the Scandinavian mindset. Also, the security in knowing that one's kids will be treated for, and one also does not have to work a crap job just to keep social security for one's kids (that would not encourage one to find a job which one likes... I am glad I do not have to worry about that). I of course negotiate pension, fringe benefits and bonuses at work like everywhere else. Yes, we have drugs like everywhere else. But generally much less. Wt respect to AIDS, we have half as many infected (in infected percentage of adults) as the US.

Carolyn Thanks so much for your lesson in the quality of the American educational system.

My Great Grandparents on both sides of my family came to the US from Denmark in the 1890's. The people that left Europe wanted a better way of life than they had there. They were God loving,freedom loving, hard working people. I don't think my Great Grandparents could even have dreamed of what me and my family have today. The one's that stayed behind in Denmark were "happy" to have the government take care of them. They are still that way today. I am proud to come from that Danish backround, but extremely glad I do not live in that Socialistic atmosphere! I think the Danish are happy because they don't really know what they they are missing. And a comment to Virkelig, you can believe what you want, but the Danish are darn lucky they are not speaking German today, and you can thank the Americans for that!!!!

Reply to Mark: (from "Virkelig Frastødt" = an American in Denmark) You have the typical "we´re the good guys" attitude that all Americans are brought up with and which Hollywood's propaganda machine keeps well lubricated. The world loves it. Everybody wants to believe that Good Guys really exist. Unfortunately, the US doesn't really live up to the role, in fact we North Americans are the bad guys - the neighborhood bully, the self-righteous hypocrite. The WWII thing was as much in US self-interest as anything else. Read history. Look at South America. The US has a great deal of responsibility for that mess as well .. then there is ... Oh, well... I know it doesn't help to preach to people that don't want to hear the facts about this stuff, so I'll spare myself the trouble. The Truth Is Out There - for anyone who wants to have a look - it's not even hidden away, like in X-Files. (TV analogies help Americans understand the world in a familiar context.) BTW, the population density in N.Europe, except Denmark, is more thinly populated than the US, but the infrastructure her is very good. The taxes ARE high here, but not really that much higher than in middle America if you consider health, education and numerous other factors which are covered by insurance and savings in the States. The ethnic point you make is valid. The scale of discrimination IS greater in the US, but lets face it - the WASPs came from Europe.

Hello Everyone, I am an Asian of origin(now living in the USA for over 25 years) and have lived and visited 5 continents around the world, including Europe! The article published by Businessweek about Denmark ( "happiest place to live")is hogwash! The populations and size of Denmark compared to the USA, Canada, Australia,etc., plays an unfare advantage. Happiness is defined by people who have achieved success in life and includes their spiritual beliefs! I have lived under a DICTATOR in Asia and my move here in the USA 25 years ago tells me that the USA and its people have played a great part of my life ( basic freedoms)and have thus embraced the American life and its culture!God bless the USA and CHEERS to all!

I think I have a counter argument, that would be equally as well supported as the authors original post. Seven-Elevens. Yes, the amount of happiness is directly collelated to the average person's proximity to a Seven-Eleven store. Never know when you'll absolutely need to get a hot dog. Seriously, I have been to Copenhagen on business several times, and still cannot get over the number of these shops! Literally on opposite street corners. I think thee is something to be said for life in a community that is very much family-based, filled with very tall and good looking people, where you would seriously have to try to become less than lower middle class, and you never have to worry about being policeman to the world.

What is the point of this article? That somehow the U.S. will be as wonderful as Denmark if we tax everyone to death? This is an overly simplistic approach to complicated issue. The U.S. is not Denmark, or vice-versa: The U.S. 8 million square miles larger than Denmark, has 295 million more people than Denmark, has massive infrastructure requirements owing to our size and rural populations, spends no small sum of money helping to liberate small countries from dictatorships (like Denmark in WWII), has a unique social issues arising from tremendous racial, ethnic, and religious diversity, etc. I've always had a great affection for the Danes and Denmark, who I've always found to be great friends of the U.S. However, comparing the U.S. to Denmark is like comparing New York City to Pierre, South Dakota -- both great places, but places that by necessity operate differently. Also, Denmark is largely homogeneous, with the exception of a smattering of relatively new immigrants in the major cities. As a result, Denmark does not have to deal with the same level of racial and ethnic complexity that we have in this country. Also, no one should deceive themselves into believing that these little countries are nirvana; they have no shortage of binge drinkers, alcoholics, drug addicts, AIDS patients, abusive spouses, etc. High-tax countries are able to sweep a greater amount of this stuff under the rug by putting a higher percentage of such individuals into treatment programs, but such programs only touch the tip of the iceberg despite massive government funding.

So how is it that high taxes help their happiness?

Hi Kevin, I am Danish and in short, an international background, education and network of friends. These includes several Americans. I have a couple of comments to your listings. First of all, how long were you here? I too moan about taxes, like you do, everybody does, it is a national sport I think :) but when push comes to shove, we are proud of having the best social model in the world (the flexicurity model, see The Economist). That said, the present government is working on reducing the tax and the challenge is how to do that without damaging our model, because that tax IS high. Second, sheep like behaviour? Well, a much greater part of the population takes interest in politics and vote, than the average American. See vote-percentages and number of people politically active in parties for reference. Third, taking government laws for granted - Could it possibly be because we are rated as a less corrupt country and are less prone to industrial lobbying, pork, and so on? We do not need to be so paranoid, since we don't build bridges that go nowhere, nor do we hunt for oil in natural reserves or have murder statistics that go off the chart :) The government supplied flat - I am sorry, but that is incorrect. Students are given an amount of money if they pass key exams, like many countries give out today, but how you spend it is your own choice. The flats you refer to are paid for with this by the choice of the students. Many students have a job on the side because the sum of money only allows for a minimum of living. I did my studies without government funding at all, because I wanted to earn more on the side than was allowed. But it was good to know that I have that to fall back upon, so I could complete my study, should I become sick, lose my apartment, whatever. That made me a happy, less worried student :) I think what you get wrong, is that we have some areas (flats) that give priority to students, single moms or soldiers, but they are not give-aways. The government provide everything? What is provides is the same type of public services as elsewhere. It is, however, with the idea that all people are equal. This means that all have right to the same medical treatment. So, having more money, will not give you the right to surpass a poor man in the cue, or a better doctor. Or, having no money, still entitles you to the best possible treatment. There are private clinics, but to a very limited extent, so in praxis it holds true. I like the idea of people being equal. In comparison, many Americans' social insurance is not sufficient or completely missing, because they can't afford it. See The Economist for numerous references. Bikes - yes, we have more bikes in towns than most countries (I reckon China have more lol :). But, if you live in the suburbs or in the country-side, you have a car. I reckon that is much like the US? You go subway. So do we. We just bike more as well because we have small tracks for bikes on the roads, making biking easy and safer. But if I lived outside town I'd buy a car. I could go and buy one now, but driving to work is slower than the subway, so why bother? :) It is true, I think, when lonelyplanet says that the highest form of praise one can be given after an evening (or a wet night out in town) is "det var hyggeligt", meaning more like "that was fun/social/cozy/". Personally, I think it comes from the fact that we have less to worry about.

Hi actually it's quite nice to live in Denmark. If you get ill you can go to the hospital without paying a large sum of money for it. The Government schools is quite good to have because you don't pay for it, some are better than others... And you do feel safe in the street, sort of. The only thing that bothers us is car registration and monthly tax payment, which is way to expensive... But Anyway we are primarly happy when we doesn't get stuck in trafic... Actually I don't know why, but why do I have to know it? I just enjoy that talking to happy people is better than talking to mad people... Chew on that...

Well if Barrack "Trotski" Obama is elected maybe we in the US can be "happy" too..

I have lived in Denmark and here are my observations: 1. It is NEVER bad to be an American - most of the Danes I worked with and lived near would love to live in the US so they could keep more of their salaries. 2. The Danes are very wonderfull people, however, they are very much "sheep" herd like - without the government providing for them they would be lost. Government rules must be followed and not questioned. 3. No one likes to mention the number of Danes who spend their life enjoying the Danish beer and the government supplied flat and stipend - no homeless problem in Denmark - no you can drink your beer all day and go home to your free flat - life is good. 4. When you have low expectations in life because the harder you work the more money the government will take, and the government will provide everything you need from cradle to grave then your "happiness" hurdle is low. 5. Bikes do have a long history in Denmark however maybe the 150% tax on purchasing a car discourages driving? A very nice country and great people - enjoyed my time there but not fond of the "big brother" Danish government - very intrusive. Like the idea that if I better my self in life I can keep my money and spend it the way I like. Cheers,

Hi folks I am an American who has spent nearly 40 years here in Denmark. I have a couple corrections for the obviously misinformed author of this short article. It's hard for most of my countrymen to be challenged with understanding the world beyond media-Americas´ picture of the place. Most don't want to believe anything that goes against the grain of their "world view". The author, Brian Sullivan, introduces his article with a skeptical "If the list is to be believed... ", meaning, of course, that any list og good/great/free/best places MUST have the US of A at it's top can't really be factual... Anyway. "Hygge" means a cozy, comfortable good-feeling time with friends, family OR on your own... it means anything from reading a good book, seeing a good movie alone or partying with friends/strangers. A good meal is also very cosy "hyggelig". A good, satisfying, fulfilling time - not a Big Deal like a wedding or a football game or such. That's different. Denmark is not completely contained within Copenhagen, so Brian Sullivan´s conclusion about why the Danes ride bikes is kind of bizarre. Denmark is a small country, but everyone here does not live in one city! Danes have a long history of using bikes. Urban traffic congestion, high gas and automobile prices have only increased their popularity and numbers. There are lots of multi-lane freeways and long car commutes here, too. The coin-bikes mentioned are basically intended for tourist use. The idea comes from Holland.. another small country where, yes, the taxes are higher, but where government is less corrupt and which actually reflects the will of the people. Generally, voters have real power in smaller countries. Think about it. Maybe the individual US states should be much more independent? I understand why the US is real Loser in the happiness race: Americans are upset about tax increases because they don´t really get much except weapons, war and corrupt politics for their tax money. In Denmark ( and Sweden, Finland, Norway) you get "free" (tax paid): university level education, health care good infrastructure and a fair social welfare system for your money. Don´t get me wrong - the Danes (and I) DO complain about the taxes and try to contain the Huxlean nature of the Scandinavian nanny State. It´s sad and embarrassing to be an American sometimes. This little article brought out both feeling in me. Good luck and good bye

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