The first World Happiness Report was released in April of 2012 by the United Nations. According to Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and one of the report’s authors, “There is a rising worldwide demand that [government] policies be more closely aligned with what really matters to people as they themselves characterize their well-being.” The authors hope that systematic measurement and analysis of happiness will improve our sense of well-being. The second report was issued September 18, 2014.

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What makes us happy? Economists assert that higher income and consumption is critical, sociologists claim that social support—family and friends—is most influential, and psychologists stress mental health and a positive state of mind. All of these factors are important and influence a sense of happiness to a certain degree. However, I believe—and the authors of the report concur—that we overlook the contribution of social and ethical values to happiness.

 

It may be surprising to many that the United States ranked 17th among the 156 nations considered in the analysis, even though Americans have the highest per capita income in the world. Countries as Denmark, Norway, and Switzerland lead the survey.

 

According to the data, there are a number of factors that affect one’s feelings of happiness, especially mental illness. It is more influential on outlook than either income or employment. More than 400 million people suffer from chronic depression, and an additional 272 million have anxiety disorders. Unfortunately, less than a third of those affected—even in rich countries—receive treatment. It is hard if not impossible to feel happy if you are struggling with depression or anxiety. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) extended coverage for mental health coverage to individuals and small groups. However, loopholes in private health insurance plans and the unwillingness of individual states to expand Medicaid continues to leave Americans untreated. If we want to affect people’s feelings of well-being, we need to be sure that we have adequate policies in place to give people the help they require.

 

While mental illness affects a significant percentage of the population, happiness continues to elude the majority of people, even those who are unaffected by depression and anxiety. By nature, man is self-centered and selfish, a legacy of our evolutionary past where competition for survival dictated one’s behavior. As a consequence, many Americans continue to believe that wealth alone will lead to happiness. While it is true that a minimum level of income is necessary to feel secure, studies suggest that the marginal benefit of wealth is insignificant once basic needs are met.

 

Consider your life. What makes you feel good about yourself and positive about the future? Is it the square footage of your house or the pride you feel for your children? You may be happy when you buy that new car, but how long does it last? It is not surprising that philosophers and theologians from Buddha to Thomas Aquinas have rejected a materialistic lifestyle, teaching that happiness is more dependent upon doing good works, promoting the common good, and being in harmony with one’s surrounding.

 

Surveys like the World Happiness Report are important—even if they are flawed—because they encourage self-reflection and new conclusions about the priorities of life. As for me, I’ve learned that material possessions are less important than the relationships I enjoy with my family, friends, and community. Over the years, I have changed–I hope–to be a better husband, father, friend, and citizen. As a consequence, today is the happiest moment in my life, and I expect tomorrow to be even happier. How about you? Are you happy? Are you ready to change?