The Americans have had their own ‘Happiness Index’ since the beginning of 2008.
Actually it is a well-being index compiled by Gallup which combines objective & subjective measures, such as whether respondents have experienced enjoyment & whether they have been taking exercise.
It has taken a bit of a dip this month – though to nowhere near as low as it was over the winter of 2008/9. The main reason is that they have been more likely to make unhealthy choices of lifestyle.
What is most striking about this index however is the clear relationship to income.
And relationships matter - being separated is very nearly as bad as belonging to the very poor.
