Life satisfaction
Life satisfaction (Cantril ladder score)
Link with national income+0.81essentially a measure of national income
Links that hold up7of 158 pairs tested
Unitscore (0-10)higher is better
SourceWHRCC BY 4.0
What this measures. The national average answer to the "Cantril ladder" question: "Please imagine a ladder, with steps numbered from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top...". It is a direct survey measure, not a combined index. The six factors the World Happiness Report uses to explain the ladder are not part of it. Values are usually three-year rolling averages of the Gallup World Poll. So each year's value overlaps with the next, and they are not separate readings.
How it has moved
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Every country, every year
One row per country and one column per year, sorted by the most recent value. Hover over any cell to see the figure. The country names link to each country’s page.
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Links that hold up
r is how closely two measures rise and fall together across countries, from −1 (opposite) to +1 (in step), where 0 means no link. These pairs are ranked by the link after adjusting for national income, which means comparing countries with the same GDP per person. Each pair passed three checks. The link held after that adjustment. It was unlikely to be chance (q of 0.05 or less), even allowing for countries in the same region being alike and for the many pairs tested. And the two are not just two measures of the same thing. Very small q values are written in short form: 8.0e-5 means 0.000080.
| Measure | Before adjusting | After adjusting | q | Countries | Tracks income? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life satisfaction and UnemploymentWhere Life satisfaction is higher, Unemployment tends to be lower: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Unemployment by country | -0.28 | -0.31 | 0.026 | 159 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Women's political empowermentWhere Life satisfaction is higher, Women's political empowerment tends to be higher: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Women's political empowerment by country | +0.52 | +0.30 | 0.048 | 157 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Government spending per capitaWhere Life satisfaction is higher, Government spending per capita tends to be higher: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Government spending per capita by country | +0.57 | +0.30 | 0.019 | 43 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Participatory democracyWhere Life satisfaction is higher, Participatory democracy tends to be higher: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Participatory democracy by country | +0.55 | +0.28 | 0.034 | 157 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Voice and accountabilityWhere Life satisfaction is higher, Voice and accountability tends to be higher: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Voice and accountability by country | +0.64 | +0.27 | 0.021 | 160 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Liberal democracyWhere Life satisfaction is higher, Liberal democracy tends to be higher: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Liberal democracy by country | +0.57 | +0.24 | 0.023 | 157 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and UndernourishmentWhere Life satisfaction is higher, Undernourishment tends to be lower: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Undernourishment by country | -0.68 | -0.22 | 0.018 | 148 | proxy |
Links that don’t count as findings
These go together strongly, but they are built from the same numbers or measure the same thing. So they are bound to match, or their match shows that the measures agree, not something about the world.
| Measure | Before adjusting | After adjusting | q | Countries | Tracks income? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life satisfaction and Wellbeing scoreNot an independent finding: one of these indices is built partly from the other, so their agreement is just arithmetic. Wellbeing score by country | +0.84 | +0.64 | 0.026 | 105 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Self-reported happinessTwo ways of measuring the same thing, so their agreement tells you about measurement, not about the world. Self-reported happiness by country | +0.46 | +0.37 | 0.021 | 105 | moderate |
How much the other measures account for
The 71 most widely reported measures boil down to a few broad patterns. This table shows how much of the differences between countries on this measure those patterns account for, adding one pattern at a time. The patterns are rebuilt without this measure, and without anything built from the same numbers or measuring the same thing. So it never predicts itself under another name. The figures use the 125 countries reporting all of them, and 71 candidate measures.
This shows how much it moves with the others. It does not explain anything. Measures that move together end up on the same pattern whether or not anything connects them. And the countries here are the best-documented ones. A high figure means this measure is largely predictable from the others, not that they produce it.
| Patterns used | Share of this measure accounted for | Added by this pattern |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 71% | — |
| 2 | 71% | +0% |
| 3 | 71% | +0% |
| 4 | 73% | +2% |
| 5 | 73% | +0% |
| 6 | 73% | +0% |
How it differs by category
This compares the measure across groups of countries, such as those sharing a main religion, instead of against another number. The figure is the share of the differences between countries on this measure that lies between the groups, on a scale from 0 to 1. It is shown before and after adjusting for national income.
The “between groups” figure runs from 0 (the groups are no different) to 1 (the groups explain all the differences between countries). Groups have no up or down, so this says how much the groups differ, never which way. For that, read the group averages. The figure also tends to rise when there are more groups. So to judge whether it could be chance (q), we shuffle the same labels among the same countries many times and see how often a figure this big turns up. Then we allow for the fact that many measures are checked at once, since with enough checks a few big figures turn up by luck alone. Groups with fewer than 12 countries are left out. And countries that share a label share a lot else. Adjusting for income rules out one third factor, but leaves language, region, legal tradition and history untouched.
| Grouped by | Between groups | After income | q | Groups at each end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last European coloniser | 0.48 | 0.46 | 0.008 | best: Spain 6.28 · worst: France 4.58 score (0-10) |
| Largest religious group | 0.28 | 0.16 | 0.078 | best: Christians 5.77 · worst: Muslims 5.08 score (0-10) |
Every other pair
Everything else this measure was tested against, apart from the links that hold up and the pairs built from the same numbers. Sorted by the link after adjusting. Search by name; every column sorts. A small adjusted figure is a result too. It says the two do not move together once income is set aside.
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| Life satisfaction and Births outside marriageCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Births outside marriage by country | +0.46 | +0.56 | 0.071 | 42 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Children with one parentCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Children with one parent by country | +0.37 | +0.37 | 0.197 | 38 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Gender scoreCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Gender score by country | +0.46 | +0.35 | 0.129 | 157 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Women in parliamentCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Women in parliament by country | +0.35 | +0.34 | 0.149 | 156 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Marriage rate (UN)Could easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Marriage rate (UN) by country | -0.48 | -0.34 | 0.206 | 84 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Family benefits spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Family benefits spending by country | +0.42 | +0.31 | 0.398 | 42 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Food insecurityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.30) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Food insecurity by country | -0.79 | -0.30 | 0.154 | 134 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Trust in governmentCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Trust in government by country | +0.40 | +0.30 | 0.144 | 47 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Anaemia in womenLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.30) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Anaemia in women by country | -0.67 | -0.30 | 0.398 | 156 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Labour scoreLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.29) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Labour score by country | +0.71 | +0.29 | 0.224 | 159 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Women ministersCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Women ministers by country | +0.32 | +0.29 | 0.116 | 156 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Inequality-adjusted HDILinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.28) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Inequality-adjusted HDI by country | +0.83 | +0.28 | 0.089 | 146 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Gender Inequality IndexLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.28) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Gender Inequality Index by country | -0.79 | -0.28 | 0.171 | 153 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Divorce rate (UN)Could easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Divorce rate (UN) by country | -0.23 | -0.27 | 0.057 | 78 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Health coverage indexLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.26) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Health coverage index by country | +0.78 | +0.26 | 0.297 | 157 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Compulsory schoolingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Compulsory schooling by country | +0.46 | +0.26 | 0.176 | 153 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Religion very importantLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.26) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Religion very important by country | -0.61 | -0.26 | 0.101 | 105 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Premature NCD mortalityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.25) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Premature NCD mortality by country | -0.66 | -0.25 | 0.286 | 158 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Refugees originatingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Refugees originating by country | -0.36 | -0.25 | 0.112 | 158 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Civil liberties (FH)Linked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.25) could easily be chance. Civil liberties (FH) by country | -0.58 | -0.25 | 0.086 | 159 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Gender Development IndexLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.24) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Gender Development Index by country | +0.64 | +0.24 | 0.417 | 156 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Electoral democracyLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.24) could easily be chance. Electoral democracy by country | +0.53 | +0.24 | 0.078 | 157 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Regime typeLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.24) could easily be chance. Regime type by country | +0.52 | +0.24 | 0.109 | 157 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Women in managementCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Women in management by country | +0.38 | +0.23 | 0.386 | 129 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Marriage rateCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Marriage rate by country | -0.23 | -0.23 | 0.190 | 46 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Fixed broadbandLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.23) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Fixed broadband by country | +0.75 | +0.23 | 0.318 | 159 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Internet usersLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.23) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Internet users by country | +0.77 | +0.23 | 0.185 | 160 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Freedom of expressionCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Freedom of expression by country | +0.35 | +0.23 | 0.057 | 157 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and HIV prevalenceCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. HIV prevalence by country | -0.32 | -0.22 | 0.131 | 133 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Governance scoreLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.22) could easily be chance. Governance score by country | +0.54 | +0.22 | 0.139 | 158 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Political rights (FH)Linked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.22) could easily be chance. Political rights (FH) by country | -0.54 | -0.22 | 0.171 | 159 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Female labor participationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Female labor participation by country | +0.18 | +0.22 | 0.397 | 159 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Political civil libertiesCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Political civil liberties by country | +0.37 | +0.21 | 0.090 | 157 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Infant mortalityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.21) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Infant mortality by country | -0.74 | -0.21 | 0.331 | 158 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Homicide rateAlmost no link either way. Homicide rate by country | -0.03 | +0.21 | 0.312 | 138 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Interpersonal trustLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.21) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Interpersonal trust by country | +0.55 | +0.21 | 0.479 | 105 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Hours workedLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.20) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Hours worked by country | -0.56 | -0.20 | 0.219 | 38 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Freedom of associationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Freedom of association by country | +0.37 | +0.20 | 0.130 | 157 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Tobacco useCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Tobacco use by country | +0.14 | -0.20 | 0.331 | 144 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Slum share of urban populationLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.20) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Slum share of urban population by country | -0.72 | -0.20 | 0.134 | 156 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Married by 18Could easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Married by 18 by country | -0.40 | +0.20 | 0.364 | 119 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Free and fair electionsLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.20) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Free and fair elections by country | +0.58 | +0.20 | 0.249 | 157 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Market-income GiniCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Market-income Gini by country | -0.44 | -0.20 | 0.182 | 45 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Primary enrollmentCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Primary enrollment by country | -0.13 | -0.20 | 0.064 | 156 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Retirement age, menAlmost no link either way. Retirement age, men by country | -0.09 | +0.19 | 0.480 | 49 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Single-parent householdsAlmost no link either way. Single-parent households by country | +0.06 | +0.19 | 0.604 | 133 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Civil society participationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Civil society participation by country | +0.29 | +0.19 | 0.218 | 157 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and PISA mathsCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. PISA maths by country | +0.40 | -0.19 | 0.287 | 85 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Infrastructure scoreLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.19) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Infrastructure score by country | +0.78 | +0.19 | 0.266 | 159 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Health spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Health spending by country | +0.36 | +0.19 | 0.330 | 157 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and HDILinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.18) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. HDI by country | +0.80 | +0.18 | 0.141 | 158 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Youth not in work or studyLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.18) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Youth not in work or study by country | -0.55 | -0.18 | 0.223 | 149 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Gender wage gapCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Gender wage gap by country | -0.20 | -0.18 | 0.697 | 38 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Regulatory qualityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.18) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Regulatory quality by country | +0.70 | +0.18 | 0.232 | 160 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Education spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Education spending by country | +0.32 | +0.18 | 0.397 | 152 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Age at childbearingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Age at childbearing by country | +0.27 | -0.17 | 0.561 | 160 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and PhysiciansLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.17) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Physicians by country | +0.70 | +0.17 | 0.508 | 157 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Women's age at first marriageCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Women's age at first marriage by country | +0.37 | +0.17 | 0.588 | 40 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Muslim shareCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Muslim share by country | -0.32 | -0.17 | 0.607 | 160 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Pupil-teacher ratioLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.16) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Pupil-teacher ratio by country | -0.71 | -0.16 | 0.261 | 147 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Birth registrationLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.16) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Birth registration by country | +0.63 | +0.16 | 0.328 | 145 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Forest areaCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Forest area by country | +0.20 | +0.16 | 0.472 | 158 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Religiously unaffiliatedCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Religiously unaffiliated by country | +0.44 | +0.15 | 0.352 | 160 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Male labor participationAlmost no link either way. Male labor participation by country | +0.05 | +0.15 | 0.297 | 159 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Life expectancyLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.15) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Life expectancy by country | +0.75 | +0.15 | 0.542 | 160 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Christian shareCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Christian share by country | +0.15 | +0.15 | 0.687 | 160 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Alcohol consumptionCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Alcohol consumption by country | +0.47 | +0.15 | 0.389 | 156 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Religious attendanceLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.14) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Religious attendance by country | -0.58 | -0.14 | 0.490 | 103 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Frequent prayerLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.14) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Frequent prayer by country | -0.55 | -0.14 | 0.475 | 76 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Tax revenueCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Tax revenue by country | +0.35 | +0.14 | 0.202 | 128 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Government effectivenessLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.14) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Government effectiveness by country | +0.71 | +0.14 | 0.473 | 160 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Expected schoolingLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.14) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Expected schooling by country | +0.71 | +0.14 | 0.065 | 158 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Tuberculosis incidenceCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Tuberculosis incidence by country | -0.49 | -0.13 | 0.574 | 159 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Aid givenCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Aid given by country | +0.49 | +0.13 | 0.096 | 47 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Rule of lawLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.13) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Rule of law by country | +0.67 | +0.13 | 0.563 | 160 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Child stuntingLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.12) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Child stunting by country | -0.67 | -0.12 | 0.201 | 136 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Secondary enrollmentLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.12) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Secondary enrollment by country | +0.71 | +0.12 | 0.354 | 154 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Retirement age, womenAlmost no link either way. Retirement age, women by country | -0.00 | +0.12 | 0.686 | 49 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Extreme poverty rateLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.12) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Extreme poverty rate by country | -0.67 | -0.12 | 0.589 | 144 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Mobile subscriptionsCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Mobile subscriptions by country | +0.40 | -0.12 | 0.514 | 160 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Political stabilityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.12) could easily be chance. Political stability by country | +0.62 | +0.12 | 0.698 | 160 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Adult literacyLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.12) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Adult literacy by country | +0.63 | +0.12 | 0.698 | 116 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Military spendingAlmost no link either way. Military spending by country | -0.00 | -0.12 | 0.317 | 148 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Population 65+Linked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.12) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Population 65+ by country | +0.63 | +0.12 | 0.536 | 160 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Tertiary enrollmentLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.12) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Tertiary enrollment by country | +0.66 | +0.12 | 0.623 | 152 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Informal employmentLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.12) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Informal employment by country | -0.74 | -0.12 | 0.708 | 121 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Mean years of schoolingLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.11) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Mean years of schooling by country | +0.72 | +0.11 | 0.504 | 158 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Adult obesityCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Adult obesity by country | +0.42 | +0.11 | 0.805 | 158 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Population growthCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Population growth by country | -0.47 | -0.11 | 0.317 | 160 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Adolescent fertilityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.11) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Adolescent fertility by country | -0.60 | +0.11 | 0.637 | 160 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Median ageLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.11) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Median age by country | +0.72 | +0.11 | 0.633 | 160 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Corruption Perceptions IndexLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.10) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Corruption Perceptions Index by country | +0.63 | +0.10 | 0.651 | 158 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Population 0-14Linked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.10) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Population 0-14 by country | -0.73 | -0.10 | 0.643 | 160 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Basic sanitationLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Basic sanitation by country | +0.69 | +0.10 | 0.723 | 158 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Maternal mortalityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Maternal mortality by country | -0.63 | -0.10 | 0.589 | 158 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Under-5 mortalityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Under-5 mortality by country | -0.69 | -0.10 | 0.723 | 158 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Basic water accessLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Basic water access by country | +0.68 | +0.10 | 0.715 | 158 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Migrant share of populationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Migrant share of population by country | +0.41 | -0.09 | 0.532 | 159 | high |
| Life satisfaction and ResearchersLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Researchers by country | +0.60 | +0.09 | 0.802 | 127 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Out-of-pocket health spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Out-of-pocket health spending by country | -0.42 | -0.09 | 0.734 | 157 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and UrbanizationLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Urbanization by country | +0.59 | +0.09 | 0.716 | 160 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Control of corruptionLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Control of corruption by country | +0.64 | +0.09 | 0.661 | 160 | high |
| Life satisfaction and One-person householdsLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. One-person households by country | +0.59 | +0.09 | 0.651 | 133 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Hospital bedsCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Hospital beds by country | +0.37 | -0.09 | 0.678 | 149 | high |
| Life satisfaction and PISA scienceCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. PISA science by country | +0.45 | -0.09 | 0.423 | 85 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Active labour market spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Active labour market spending by country | +0.30 | +0.08 | 0.565 | 42 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Public social spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Public social spending by country | +0.29 | +0.08 | 0.796 | 42 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Birth rateLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Birth rate by country | -0.72 | -0.08 | 0.708 | 160 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Trade opennessCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Trade openness by country | +0.30 | -0.08 | 0.654 | 152 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Equality scoreLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Equality score by country | +0.58 | +0.07 | 0.830 | 144 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Fertility rateLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Fertility rate by country | -0.69 | -0.07 | 0.751 | 160 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Public order spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Public order spending by country | -0.39 | -0.07 | 0.857 | 37 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Agricultural landCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Agricultural land by country | -0.30 | -0.07 | 0.509 | 159 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Road traffic deathsLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Road traffic deaths by country | -0.60 | -0.06 | 0.838 | 157 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Government consumptionCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Government consumption by country | +0.30 | +0.06 | 0.673 | 153 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and CO2 per capitaCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. CO2 per capita by country | +0.45 | -0.06 | 0.736 | 156 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Divorce rateCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Divorce rate by country | -0.10 | -0.06 | 0.668 | 45 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Old-age spendingAlmost no link either way. Old-age spending by country | +0.05 | -0.05 | 0.785 | 42 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Vulnerable employmentLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Vulnerable employment by country | -0.70 | -0.05 | 0.771 | 159 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Political corruptionLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Political corruption by country | -0.57 | -0.05 | 0.753 | 157 | high |
| Life satisfaction and InflationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Inflation by country | -0.14 | -0.05 | 0.632 | 157 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Protected landCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Protected land by country | +0.18 | +0.05 | 0.823 | 159 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Education scoreLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Education score by country | +0.70 | +0.05 | 0.789 | 157 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Environment scoreCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Environment score by country | -0.30 | +0.05 | 0.836 | 159 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Recycling rateCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Recycling rate by country | +0.16 | -0.04 | 0.939 | 35 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Skilled birth attendanceLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Skilled birth attendance by country | +0.58 | +0.04 | 0.851 | 149 | high |
| Life satisfaction and PISA readingLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. PISA reading by country | +0.52 | +0.04 | 0.821 | 85 | high |
| Life satisfaction and Conflict deathsCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Conflict deaths by country | -0.15 | -0.04 | 0.811 | 158 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and FDI inflowsAlmost no link either way. FDI inflows by country | +0.01 | -0.03 | 0.675 | 159 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Employment in agricultureLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Employment in agriculture by country | -0.68 | -0.02 | 0.927 | 159 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Corporate tax rateCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Corporate tax rate by country | -0.25 | +0.02 | 0.837 | 75 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Electricity accessLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Electricity access by country | +0.63 | +0.02 | 0.959 | 159 | high |
| Life satisfaction and RedistributionCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Redistribution by country | +0.41 | -0.02 | 0.968 | 45 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Armed conflict presentCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Armed conflict present by country | -0.37 | -0.02 | 0.938 | 158 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Government expenseCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Government expense by country | +0.40 | -0.01 | 0.935 | 129 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Health scoreCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Health score by country | +0.21 | +0.01 | 0.972 | 157 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and GDP growthCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. GDP growth by country | -0.14 | +0.01 | 0.962 | 160 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Primary completionLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Primary completion by country | +0.64 | +0.01 | 0.967 | 147 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and Pre-trial detainee shareCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Pre-trial detainee share by country | -0.26 | +0.01 | 0.959 | 143 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Unemployment benefit spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Unemployment benefit spending by country | +0.14 | -0.01 | 0.985 | 39 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and DTP3 immunisationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. DTP3 immunisation by country | +0.42 | -0.01 | 0.969 | 157 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Gini indexCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Gini index by country | -0.27 | -0.01 | 0.990 | 144 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Women in a unionCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Women in a union by country | -0.30 | +0.00 | 0.990 | 159 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Suicide rateCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Suicide rate by country | +0.23 | -0.00 | 0.988 | 158 | independent |
| Life satisfaction and Confidence in religious institutionsCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Confidence in religious institutions by country | -0.38 | +0.00 | 0.977 | 105 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and Out of school, primaryCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Out of school, primary by country | -0.46 | -0.00 | 0.999 | 151 | moderate |
| Life satisfaction and GDP per capita (PPP)One side of this pair is national income itself, the thing the other figures adjust for. Adjusting income for income leaves nothing, so there is no adjusted figure. The unadjusted link shows how closely the other measure follows income. GDP per capita (PPP) by country | +0.68 | — | — | 160 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and GNI per capita (PPP)One side of this pair is national income itself, the thing the other figures adjust for. Adjusting income for income leaves nothing, so there is no adjusted figure. The unadjusted link shows how closely the other measure follows income. GNI per capita (PPP) by country | +0.69 | — | — | 160 | proxy |
| Life satisfaction and GDP per capita (market)One side of this pair is national income itself, the thing the other figures adjust for. Adjusting income for income leaves nothing, so there is no adjusted figure. The unadjusted link shows how closely the other measure follows income. GDP per capita (market) by country | +0.63 | — | — | 160 | proxy |
Source
Gallup / World Happiness Report · via Our World in Data
CC BY 4.0 · licence terms · updated annual
Helliwell, J. et al., World Happiness Report; underlying data Gallup World Poll