Words by

Catharine Fulton

Icelanders are happier this year than they were last year, and way happier than they were in 2011 when national happiness was at an all-time low.
RÚV reports that the average happiness rating of Icelanders responding to a new survey conducted by the Ministry of Health was 7.5 out of 10. So that’s pretty happy. Some of the factors contributing to unhappiness were unemployment and having a tough time making ends meet, which isn’t particularly surprising. Those who are married or in a committed relationship reported being happier, on average.
Icelanders were at their happiest in 1990 when they rated their overall happiness an 8 out of 10. Those were the days.