According to the latest World Values Survey released in March 2005, Puerto Ricans consider themselves happier than any other people on earth.

They credit their emphasis on extended family, an easy warmth among even strangers and the readiness to celebrate anything at any time makes their quality of life higher than anyone else's anywhere on  earth.

Of the 82 societies surveyed, these were the Top Ten happiest. People rated their happiness on a scale of from 1-5.

Country                Happiness Rating   

1 Puerto Rico          4.67

2. Mexico               4.32

3. Denmark             4.24

4. Ireland               4.16

5. Iceland              4.15

6. Switzerland        4.00

7. Northern Ireland  3.97

8. Colombia            3.94

9. Netherlands        3.86

10. Canada            3.76

Others:

15. United States   3.47

25. Britain             2.92

26. West Germany  2.67

26. France            2.67

35. Spain              2.13

37. Italy               2.06

In general, people in the richest countries said they were the happiest, but Puerto Rico does not fall into that category. The Latin temperament of making the best out of everything and to have a generally optimistic attitude is credited with how happy the Puerto Ricans surveyed feel.

This at a time when low wages and a high homicide rate have prompted many Puerto Ricans to migrate from the island.

The results were based on interviews with 120,000 people.

The unhappiest people were those of Indonesia, with a score of -2.40

Return to Puerto Rico Homepage