Ruut Veenhoven
Sociale Wetenschappen, 1998, vol 41, pp 58-84
ENGLISH ABSTRACT (OF PAPER IN DUTCH)
The livability of a society is likely to reflect in the happiness of its members.
Therefore, several studies have compared happiness in nations. In these studies, average
happiness is measured by responses to questions in surveys. The responses appear to differ
markedly across nations. Reported happiness is currently highest in North-West European
nations, and lowest in the former communist nations and in the third world. These findings
meet much reservation. There is doubt about both the cross-cultural comparability of
responses to survey questions on happiness, and about the value of happiness as an
indicator of societal quality.
This paper takes stock of the qualms and reviews the available
evidence. Next to direct checks of specific misgivings it reports some indirect tests.
None of the misgivings is supported by the data. It is concluded that happiness is well
comparable across nations and that happiness is a good indicator of livability.