Austria scores highly in new well-being index
Austrians are generally pretty happy with life, especially when it comes to where they live and their friends and family. The Alpine country placed fourth in a new index which looks at quality of life and well-being in European Union countries.
The EU life satisfaction average is 7.1, according to figures from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Eurostat looked at different aspects of well-being and used country-specific data to evaluate them on a scale of 0 to 10 (10 being completely satisfied).
Overall, Austria scored 7.8, behind Denmark, Finland and Sweden, who all scored 8. The least happy Europeans are Bulgarians, with a score of just 4.8.
Austrians gain the most satisfaction from their “personal relationships” - with a high score of 8.5 which is only bettered by Ireland (8.6).
They also gain a sense of well-being from their “living environment”, with the highest EU-wide score of 8.4. “Green and recreational areas” scored a well-being value of 8.3, as did “accommodation”.
Austria's lowest scores were for “time use” (7.3) and “financial situation” (7) - a trend echoed across the EU with Bulgaria again coming bottom for financial happiness. The annual median net income for Austrians was calculated as €23,221.
The figures were revealed on Monday as part of a closer look at data recorded in 2013 and initially released in March to mark 2015's World Happiness Day.
You can explore the data in-depth in this interactive infographic.
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The EU life satisfaction average is 7.1, according to figures from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Eurostat looked at different aspects of well-being and used country-specific data to evaluate them on a scale of 0 to 10 (10 being completely satisfied).
Overall, Austria scored 7.8, behind Denmark, Finland and Sweden, who all scored 8. The least happy Europeans are Bulgarians, with a score of just 4.8.
Austrians gain the most satisfaction from their “personal relationships” - with a high score of 8.5 which is only bettered by Ireland (8.6).
They also gain a sense of well-being from their “living environment”, with the highest EU-wide score of 8.4. “Green and recreational areas” scored a well-being value of 8.3, as did “accommodation”.
Austria's lowest scores were for “time use” (7.3) and “financial situation” (7) - a trend echoed across the EU with Bulgaria again coming bottom for financial happiness. The annual median net income for Austrians was calculated as €23,221.
The figures were revealed on Monday as part of a closer look at data recorded in 2013 and initially released in March to mark 2015's World Happiness Day.
You can explore the data in-depth in this interactive infographic.
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