The NEF (New Economics Foundation) have calculated the Happy Planet Index, in which HPI score is defined as Life Satisfaction X Life Expectancy / Ecological Footprint. To cut to the chase:
"On a scale of 0 to 100 for the HPI, we have set a reasonable target of 83.5. This is based on attainable levels of life expectancy and well-being and a reasonably sized ecological footprint. Today, however, the highest HPI is only 68.2%, scored by the Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu."
"The message, simply put, is that when we measure the efficiency with which countries enable the fundamental inputs of natural resources to be turned into the ultimate ends of long and happy lives, all can do better. This conclusion is less surprising in the light of our argument that governments have been concentrating on the wrong indicators for too long. If you have the wrong map, you are unlikely to reach your destination."
And a surprising note: Islands score better: "They have higher life satisfaction, higher life expectancy and marginally lower ecological footprints than other states. Yet their incomes (in GDP per capita terms) are roughly equal to the world average"
Netherlands scores joint 6th (with Cyprus) in the western world (HPI 46 - Life satisfaction 7.5, Life expectancy 78.4 and Ecological footprint 4.7). The highest ranking western world country is, of course, an island: Malta.
The US is dead last; HPI 28.8 (LS 7.4, LE 77.4, EF 9.5)
The full report, and all the interesting details can be found in the NEF Happy Planet Index publication (free pdf)
"On a scale of 0 to 100 for the HPI, we have set a reasonable target of 83.5. This is based on attainable levels of life expectancy and well-being and a reasonably sized ecological footprint. Today, however, the highest HPI is only 68.2%, scored by the Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu."
"The message, simply put, is that when we measure the efficiency with which countries enable the fundamental inputs of natural resources to be turned into the ultimate ends of long and happy lives, all can do better. This conclusion is less surprising in the light of our argument that governments have been concentrating on the wrong indicators for too long. If you have the wrong map, you are unlikely to reach your destination."
And a surprising note: Islands score better: "They have higher life satisfaction, higher life expectancy and marginally lower ecological footprints than other states. Yet their incomes (in GDP per capita terms) are roughly equal to the world average"
Netherlands scores joint 6th (with Cyprus) in the western world (HPI 46 - Life satisfaction 7.5, Life expectancy 78.4 and Ecological footprint 4.7). The highest ranking western world country is, of course, an island: Malta.
The US is dead last; HPI 28.8 (LS 7.4, LE 77.4, EF 9.5)
The full report, and all the interesting details can be found in the NEF Happy Planet Index publication (free pdf)
