Danes are the happiest people in the world

Press feature
December 2007

Danes are the happiest people in the world

Danish employees are the most satisfied in all of Europe, and Danish companies are among the best workplaces in the world. These are the conclusions of two recently published surveys, complimenting existing evidence that the Danes are the happiest people in the world and the inhabitants of Copenhagen are the most satisfied in the whole of Europe.

Danish companies are among the best workplaces in Europe, according to their employees. A recently published survey by the Great Place to Work Institute shows that 13 Danish companies feature among the 100 Best workplaces in Europe, a total beaten only by Germany. The survey is based on 15 national Best Workplaces studies carried out in Europe. More than 1,000 companies, with approximately 100,000 employees, participated in the survey. All 100 workplaces on the list are recognised for the efforts they take to create a high-quality working environment.

- That Danish employees are so satisfied is due to the fact that the year groups are getting smaller and the competition for talent is still growing among Danish companies. This makes it necessary for companies to create desirable jobs to keep hold of their employees, says Povl Erik Jensen, a lecturer at Copenhagen Business School.

It is no surprise that Danish employees have awarded their work places such good grades. According to the latest European Working Conditions Observatory report, 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 of 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 lowest ranking countries were typically the new EU member states from Eastern Europe. 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, believes that the explanation for the Danes' satisfaction is their 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 stress levels tend to be moderate in Denmark.

The happiest people
But the Danes are not just content with their working life. Several surveys provide evidence that the Danes are the happiest people in general, particularly those living in and around the capital, Copenhagen. In April this year a survey carried out by researchers from Cambridge University based upon answers from 40,000 people throughout 180 regions in Europe showed that the inhabitants of Copenhagen are the most happy and satisfied people in all of Europe. Factors such as trust in authority 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 have good reason to be proud of their home town. The survey reveals that Copenhagen ranks 11th among the world's best cities to live in. It 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.

Further information:
Wonderful Copenhagen®, Tel: (+45) 33 25 74 00
Press Officer, Meetings & Incentives, Ms Ulrika Mårtensson, ulm@woco.dk



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 Press feature December 2007 Danes are the happiest people in the world Danish employees are the most satisfied in all of Europe, and Danish companies are among the best workplaces in the world. These are the conclusions of two recently published surveys, complimenting existing evidence that the Danes are the happiest people in the world and the inhabitants of Copenhagen are the most satisfied in the whole of Europe. Danish companies are among the best workplaces in Europe, according to their employees. A recently published survey by the Great Place to Work Institute shows that 13 Danish companies feature among the 100 Best workplaces in Europe, a total beaten only by Germany. The survey is based on 15 national Best Workplaces studies carried out in Europe. More than 1,000 companies, with approximately 100,000 employees, participated in the survey. All 100 workplaces on the list are recognised for the efforts they take to create a high-quality working environment. - That Danish employees are so satisfied is due to the fact that the year groups are getting smaller and the competition for talent is still growing among Danish companies. This makes it necessary for companies to create desirable jobs to keep hold of their employees, says Povl Erik Jensen, a lecturer at Copenhagen Business School. It is no surprise that Danish employees have awarded their work places such good grades. According to the latest European Working Conditions Observatory report, 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 of 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 lowest ranking countries were typically the new EU member states from Eastern Europe. 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, believes that the explanation for the Danes' satisfaction is their 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 stress levels tend to be moderate in Denmark. The happiest people But the Danes are not just content with their working life. Several surveys provide evidence that the Danes are the happiest people in general, particularly those living in and around the capital, Copenhagen. In April this year a survey carried out by researchers from Cambridge University based upon answers from 40,000 people throughout 180 regions in Europe showed that the inhabitants of Copenhagen are the most happy and satisfied people in all of Europe. Factors such as trust in authority 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 have good reason to be proud of their home town. The survey reveals that Copenhagen ranks 11th among the world's best cities to live in. It 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. *Further information:* *Wonderful Copenhagen®, Tel: (+45) 33 25 74 00* Press Officer, Meetings & Incentives, Ms Ulrika Mårtensson, ulm@woco.dk