Danes are the happiest people in the world

May 2007

Danes are the happiest people in the world

Danish employees are the most satisfied in all of Europe, like Danish companies are among the best in the world to work in, due to two recently published surveys. Add to the fact that the Danes also have been proofed the worlds happiest people.

Danish companies are among the best in Europe to work in if you ask their employees. A recently published survey produced by 'Great Place to Work Institute' shows that 13 Danish companies ranks on the list; '100 Best workplaces in Europe', which second to Germany is the best result. The survey is based upon 15 national Best Workplaces studies carried out in Europe. More than 1,000 companies, or approximately 100,000 employees, have participated in the survey. All 100 workplaces on the list are recognized for their effort to create a high-quality working environment.

-That the Danish employees are satisfied can be seen due to the fact that the year groups are getting smaller and the competition for talents still is growing stronger among the Danish companies. Which makes it necessary for the companies to create desirable jobs to keep their employees, says Povl Erik Jensen lector from Copenhagen Business School.

It does not come as a surprise that the Danish employees give their working places good grades. According to the latest report of ‘European Working Conditions Observatory' carried out in 2005 by ‘The European Foundation for the improvement of Living and Working conditions', Danish companies have the most satisfied employees in the whole Europe. The survey included 37,000 employees in Europe of which 1,500 were Danish. Denmark was ranked number one followed by Norway and Great Britain. The new EU countries in Eastern Europe typically had the bottom rankings. Source: http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/ewco/studies/tn0612036s/tn0612036s_7.htm

Henrik Holt Larsen, professor at the faculty for Organisation and Work Sociology at Copenhagen Business School, thinks that the explanation for the Danes' satisfaction is the high degree of freedom and the close contact between management and employees as well as the good economy. Moreover, he believes that the survey indicates that the stress level in Denmark seems to be moderate.

The happiest people
But it is not only while on their work that the Danish people are satisfied. Several surveys show that the Danes are the happiest people in general. In April this year a survey carried out by researchers from Cambridge University based upon answers from 20,000 people throughout 180 regions in Europe showed that the Danes are the most happy and satisfied population in Europe. Factors such as trust in authorities and having a social network are seen to be among some of the most important reasons for overall life satisfaction.

Dr Luisa Corrado, who led the research, says: - The most important factors influencing happiness appear to be the quality of our social interaction with others and the confidence we have in our country's institutions.

In August last year yet another survey by a British researcher from Leicester University concluded that Denmark is the happiest place in the world. The survey was based on data from 178 countries and 100 previous surveys by the UN and the World Health Organisation. The most important factors studied in the survey were health conditions, welfare and education.

- We looked at the degree of satisfaction with life and the environment, says Social Psychologist Adrian White, who has produced the first ever 'world map of happiness'.

Copenhagen among the world's best cities to live in
According to a survey published by Mercer Human Resource Consulting in London in April, residents of the Danish capital Copenhagen have good reason to hold their heads high. Copenhagen ranks 11 among the world's best cities to live in. The survey is part of a worldwide quality of life analysis, which each year ranks 350 cities taking into account 39 criteria. Each city is rated according to political, social, economic and environmental factors, as well as personal safety and health, education, transport and other public services.



Øresund Region Meetings & Conventions Hotels Cruise Town areas Fashion, Design & Shopping Gastronomy & Night life Sights & Events Copenhagen specialities Gay Press > Press information > Meetings & Conventions > Danes are the happiest people in the world Danes are the happiest people in the world May 2007 Danes are the happiest people in the world Danish employees are the most satisfied in all of Europe, like Danish companies are among the best in the world to work in, due to two recently published surveys. Add to the fact that the Danes also have been proofed the worlds happiest people. Danish companies are among the best in Europe to work in if you ask their employees. A recently published survey produced by 'Great Place to Work Institute' shows that 13 Danish companies ranks on the list; '100 Best workplaces in Europe', which second to Germany is the best result. The survey is based upon 15 national Best Workplaces studies carried out in Europe. More than 1,000 companies, or approximately 100,000 employees, have participated in the survey. All 100 workplaces on the list are recognized for their effort to create a high-quality working environment. -That the Danish employees are satisfied can be seen due to the fact that the year groups are getting smaller and the competition for talents still is growing stronger among the Danish companies. Which makes it necessary for the companies to create desirable jobs to keep their employees, says Povl Erik Jensen lector from Copenhagen Business School. It does not come as a surprise that the Danish employees give their working places good grades. According to the latest report of ‘European Working Conditions Observatory' carried out in 2005 by ‘The European Foundation for the improvement of Living and Working conditions', Danish companies have the most satisfied employees in the whole Europe. The survey included 37,000 employees in Europe of which 1,500 were Danish. Denmark was ranked number one followed by Norway and Great Britain. The new EU countries in Eastern Europe typically had the bottom rankings. Source: http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/ewco/studies/tn0612036s/tn0612036s_7.htm Henrik Holt Larsen, professor at the faculty for Organisation and Work Sociology at Copenhagen Business School, thinks that the explanation for the Danes' satisfaction is the high degree of freedom and the close contact between management and employees as well as the good economy. Moreover, he believes that the survey indicates that the stress level in Denmark seems to be moderate. The happiest people But it is not only while on their work that the Danish people are satisfied. Several surveys show that the Danes are the happiest people in general. In April this year a survey carried out by researchers from Cambridge University based upon answers from 20,000 people throughout 180 regions in Europe showed that the Danes are the most happy and satisfied population in Europe. Factors such as trust in authorities and having a social network are seen to be among some of the most important reasons for overall life satisfaction. Dr Luisa Corrado, who led the research, says: - The most important factors influencing happiness appear to be the quality of our social interaction with others and the confidence we have in our country's institutions. In August last year yet another survey by a British researcher from Leicester University concluded that Denmark is the happiest place in the world. The survey was based on data from 178 countries and 100 previous surveys by the UN and the World Health Organisation. The most important factors studied in the survey were health conditions, welfare and education. - We looked at the degree of satisfaction with life and the environment, says Social Psychologist Adrian White, who has produced the first ever 'world map of happiness'. Copenhagen among the world's best cities to live in According to a survey published by Mercer Human Resource Consulting in London in April, residents of the Danish capital Copenhagen have good reason to hold their heads high. Copenhagen ranks 11 among the world's best cities to live in. The survey is part of a worldwide quality of life analysis, which each year ranks 350 cities taking into account 39 criteria. Each city is rated according to political, social, economic and environmental factors, as well as personal safety and health, education, transport and other public services.