Happy Belgians
The Belgians are among the happiest residents in Europe. With a general happiness score of 7.6 Belgium comes sixth in the EU in Eurostat's study examining the factors determining a good quality of life. The Danes, Finns and Swedes (8.0) are the happiest, followed by the Dutch and the Austrians (7.8). The European average is 7.1.
As economic and social indicators, such as the gross national product (GNP), are not sufficient to show how good or bad people's lives really are, Eurostat, the EU's statistical office, has for the first time put together some objective parameters for a subjective assessment of life. The goal is to "shed light on those factors having an impact on the quality of life", explains Eurostat Director-general Walter Radermacher.
In almost all member states people are at their most happy when it comes to personal relationships. The Belgians are one of the few exceptions. They give their accommodation at 7.8 a higher score than their relationships (7.7). Belgians are least satisfied with their financial position (6.9). However, at that level, they are still well above the EU average (6.0). Other parameters are commuting time (7.6), surroundings (7.6), green and leisure areas (7.3), work (7.5) and time management (7.1).