[brurdefdoro]

Costa Rica is the happiest place on Earth, and one of the most environmentally friendly, according to a new survey by a British non-governmental group, which puts Australia in third place.

The New Economics Foundation looked at 143 countries that are home to 99 per cent of the world's population and devised an equation that weighs life expectancy and people's happiness against their environmental impact.

By that formula, Costa Rica is the happiest, greenest country in the world, just ahead of the Dominican Republic.

Latin American countries did well in the survey, occupying nine of the top 10 spots.

Australia scored third place, but other major Western nations did poorly, with Britain coming in at 74th place and the United States at 114th.

The New Economics Foundation's measurements found Costa Ricans have a life expectancy of 78.5 years, and 85 per cent of the country's residents say they are happy and satisfied with their lives.

Those figures, taken along with the fact that Costa Rica has a small "ecological footprint", combined to push the small nation to the top of the list.

A 2006 New Economics Foundation study designated Vanuatu the world's happiest nation, with Costa Rica at second place.

Sociologist Andrea Fonseca said Costa Rica gives its citizens the "tools" to be happy, but cautioned that happiness cannot be calculated just by looking at life expectancy and environmental practices.

She added that the country's rise to the top of the Happy Planet Index "has a lot to do with social imagination".

Costa Rica has a peaceful reputation because it does not have an army, and is also known for its protected ecological zones and national slogan "pure life", she said.

[Aceroassert]

Costa Rica is the happiest place on Earth, and one of the most environmentally friendly, according to a new survey by a British non-governmental group, which puts Australia in third place.

The New Economics Foundation looked at 143 countries that are home to 99 per cent of the world's population and devised an equation that weighs life expectancy and people's happiness against their environmental impact.

By that formula, Costa Rica is the happiest, greenest country in the world, just ahead of the Dominican Republic.

Latin American countries did well in the survey, occupying nine of the top 10 spots.

Australia scored third place, but other major Western nations did poorly, with Britain coming in at 74th place and the United States at 114th.

The New Economics Foundation's measurements found Costa Ricans have a life expectancy of 78.5 years, and 85 per cent of the country's residents say they are happy and satisfied with their lives.

Those figures, taken along with the fact that Costa Rica has a small "ecological footprint", combined to push the small nation to the top of the list.

A 2006 New Economics Foundation study designated Vanuatu the world's happiest nation, with Costa Rica at second place.

Sociologist Andrea Fonseca said Costa Rica gives its citizens the "tools" to be happy, but cautioned that happiness cannot be calculated just by looking at life expectancy and environmental practices.

She added that the country's rise to the top of the Happy Planet Index "has a lot to do with social imagination".

Costa Rica has a peaceful reputation because it does not have an army, and is also known for its protected ecological zones and national slogan "pure life", she said.

Perphaps Austrialians are happy at mocking at other races...haha

[brurdefdoro]

Perphaps Austrialians are happy at mocking at other races...haha

Relax, take it easy.
We aussies love to make fun of everyone, including ourselves.

Just ask the sandgropers (someone from Perth), banana-benders, crow-eaters (soemone from Adelaide), melbos or even the kiwis across the ditch. (Did we say Kiwis? bloody hell, we have forgiven them)

To banana benders (Queenlanders), anyone south of their border is a Mexican. But we do callthem Cockroach.

The poms are not spared either, neither are the irish, the seppo or the proteas.

In this lucky land of ours, nothing beats us to it.

Even Singaporeans who settled here lose their little petty sour sulky looks, provided they can overcome their negativity, AND START LIVING.

[hellenmoranov]

Costa Rica is the happiest place on Earth, and one of the most environmentally friendly, according to a new survey by a British non-governmental group, which puts Australia in third place.

The New Economics Foundation looked at 143 countries that are home to 99 per cent of the world's population and devised an equation that weighs life expectancy and people's happiness against their environmental impact.

By that formula, Costa Rica is the happiest, greenest country in the world, just ahead of the Dominican Republic.

Latin American countries did well in the survey, occupying nine of the top 10 spots.

Australia scored third place, but other major Western nations did poorly, with Britain coming in at 74th place and the United States at 114th.

The New Economics Foundation's measurements found Costa Ricans have a life expectancy of 78.5 years, and 85 per cent of the country's residents say they are happy and satisfied with their lives.

Those figures, taken along with the fact that Costa Rica has a small "ecological footprint", combined to push the small nation to the top of the list.

A 2006 New Economics Foundation study designated Vanuatu the world's happiest nation, with Costa Rica at second place.

Sociologist Andrea Fonseca said Costa Rica gives its citizens the "tools" to be happy, but cautioned that happiness cannot be calculated just by looking at life expectancy and environmental practices.

She added that the country's rise to the top of the Happy Planet Index "has a lot to do with social imagination".

Costa Rica has a peaceful reputation because it does not have an army, and is also known for its protected ecological zones and national slogan "pure life", she said.

What does environmental friendlieness have to do with happiness?

Only pathetic souls who live in the worse country in the world, Australia can even post such blatant lies.

We read with amusement how your professors all think Australians should ditch their cars and ride around on bicycles.

Keep your carbon footprints low, and your environmental bullcrap. I will laugh at your unemplyment rate, cost of living, taxes, and stress of life in the worst country in the world, Australia

Keep the bullshit flowing, pal. its a good laugh.

[brurdefdoro]

What does environmental friendlieness have to do with happiness?

Only pathetic souls who live in the worse country in the world, Australia can even post such blatant lies.

We read with amusement how your professors all think Australians should ditch their cars and ride around on bicycles.

Keep your carbon footprints low, and your environmental bullcrap. I will laugh at your unemplyment rate, cost of living, taxes, and stress of life in the worst country in the world, Australia

Keep the bullshit flowing, pal. its a good laugh.

Relax! That is the difference between Aussies and non-Aussies. We are still having a good time.

[brurdefdoro]

What does environmental friendlieness have to do with happiness?

Only pathetic souls who live in the worse country in the world, Australia can even post such blatant lies.

Keep the bullshit flowing, pal. its a good laugh.

Oh! Have a nice life, not sure how you can achieve that. haha

[hellenmoranov]

Oh! Have a nice life, not sure how you can achieve that. haha

as long as i dont live in a racist shithole like australia with the most expensive housing and the stress etc, life is very good.

who wants to live in a police state like arsetralia

[brurdefdoro]

as long as i dont live in a racist shithole like australia with the most expensive housing and the stress etc, life is very good.

who wants to live in a police state like arsetralia

I understand your problem. Just return to your mental ward bed and take your prescription drugs regularly. You will feel better.

[hellenmoranov]

I understand your problem. Just return to your mental ward bed and take your prescription drugs regularly. You will feel better.

You sound like someone who is very pissed off at the prices in arsetralia. you only have yourself to blame for getting cheated

australia is the worst country in the world.