Happy as a Dane

For decades Denmark has ranked at the top of the world’s happiness surveys.

How is it that these 5.6 million Danes are so content when they live in a country that is dark and cold nine months out of the year and where income taxes are at almost 60%?

At a time when talk across the Western world is focused on unemployment woes, government overreach, and anti-taxation lobbies, our Danish counterparts seem to breathe a healthier and fresher air.

From open-air vegetable stands, to leaving their babies unattended while the parents have a coffee, to very generous paternity leave policies, Malene Rydahl explores how the values of trust, education, and a healthy work-life balance-to name just a few-contribute to a “happy” population. Furthermore she provides tips that we can all apply to our daily lives regardless of where we live.

Interweaving personal anecdotes and careful research, Rydahl steers clear of any preaching and tackles the ostensible paradox of the Danish model, offering ten easy, entertaining, and thoughtful ways to be happy-or at least as happy as a Dane.