Not happy and knowing it

India has fared poorly in the World Happiness Report and finished in the bottom rungs of the Happiness Index. In the report released last week, the country was ranked a low 118 out of 147. It is no real consolation that it moved from 126 to the present level in one year. The report has been compiled in association with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network; so, there is no sound reason to claim that it was put together to malign India. According to the report, Finland is the happiest country, followed by Denmark and Iceland, and Afghanistan is the least happy. It may not be pleasant news that neighbours such as Pakistan and Nepal are happier than India. Pakistan is ranked 109 and China is placed way ahead at 68.

Though happiness is a state of mind and is often seen as subjective, the report is based on multiple objectively verifiable factors. This makes a ranking based on comparative performance possible. Various social, physical, and emotional support factors were taken into consideration while drawing up the list. They include social support, GDP per capita, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perception of corruption. It also mapped whether the responses indicated positive or negative emotions about the country. India ranked high on scores of social support, community-focused culture, and the practice of larger families living together. But it scored the lowest on the freedom factor, which is based on people’s perception of their choices in society and whether the choices were available to lead a satisfactory life. It also considered the impact of “caring and sharing” on people's levels of contentment and satisfaction.

These yardsticks show the report is based on both objective factors and perceptions. India has to do much more in both areas to improve its standing. The country has to reduce economic inequality with a fair and better distribution of economic gains. The GDP per capita is low and India is home to the world’s largest population of the poor. There is a need for improvement in health and education facilities and in social and community support for people. There is a perception of widespread corruption in politics and administration. People’s trust in the ability of governments to address their problems should increase. Employment is another key factor because the sense of security it provides is a major source of happiness. The country, it appears, is on a long road to that happy place.