India Stands As The Fifth Happiest Country: Ipsos

A survey by Ipsos in 30 markets and among 20,504 adults shows that the barometers of happiness are defined by the intangibles: Mental and physical wellbeing, companionship (with spouse or partner), meaningful life, recognition led success, among others.

Global citizens too more or less have similar determinants of happiness – physical and mental wellbeing, relationships with companions, meaningful life and children.

Time spent on social media, moving to another country and new political leadership are sources of least happiness, both for urban Indians and global citizens.

Urban Indians also mentioned the state of the economy and how much free time they have, as attributes that were least happiness-inducing.

Amit Adarkar, CEO, Ipsos India elucidating on the findings said, “The pandemic has shifted the focus on what are the true generators of happiness and interestingly health and wellbeing, companionship, meaningful life than mere subsistence, acclaim, are the attributes fueling happiness for urban Indians. Notably, moving to another country is seen as a dampener to happiness unlike in the past when it was aspirational. People are working longer hours after the pandemic but free time expectation for happiness has fizzled out. People are still reeling under the impact of the pandemic and are being overtly realistic in their expectations and not pushing themselves or being aggressively ambitious, though deep down recognition with success is still considered a great happiness inducer.”

How does India stack up on Happiness?

The Ipsos global survey shows India among the top 5 happiest markets in the 30 market survey. India is placed 5th in the pecking order with 82% of the urban adults polled saying they are happy. The top happiest markets were the Netherlands (86%), Australia (85%), China (83%), Great Britain (83%), India (82%), Saudi Arabia (81%), France (81%), Canada (80%), Sweden (78%) and the United States (76%). Only two countries show fewer than one in two adults saying they are happy: Argentina (48%) and Turkey (42%).

"Indians have seen horrible times in the bad waves of the pandemic and they’ve learnt to live with the virus. And urban adults are focusing on health, wellbeing, relationships, purpose to access happiness," sums up Adarkar.