For few years now Danes were crowned as the happiest nation in the world. But how do you define happiness and is the happiest nation equivalent with happiness?
Now I’m not a fan of these lists and statistics, because I often find them not all that general and representative. The one naming Danes happiest nation in the world is quite a good one, I must say. The parameters, the way it was conducted and also the fact that it was based on UN’s parameters all breathe certain credibility to it.

Also the fact Denmark is one of the richest counties in the world, with lowest level of corruption must play a part in that overall feeling of happiness. It all gives meaning doesn’t it? So far so good.

On the other hand there are number of other parameters and facts that do put certain shadow over this ferry tale land.

Looking at some other official statistic there seems to be another side to this shiny medallion.

Denmark has a population of 5.500.000 people and 420.000 of those use antidepressants. That’s 1 in 13 Danes using medication to fight depression. Now that’s a truly scary thought. 1 in 13 feeling so unhappy and depressed that they are prescribed medication to fight it. How many more are there who still didn’t make it to a doctor due to lack of motivation, embarrassment or something completely else? The total number of people who are unhappy to the degree that that seek professional or medical help, must be far larger than 420.000.

860.000 Danes use too much alcohol. That’s approximately one if 6 people. And that’s including babies, children and those who don’t drink alcohol. How does that fit in the actuation? Happy because they drink? Drink because they are happy? That fact also adds a somewhat ironic spin to that enormous Carlsberg Beer billboard at baggage claim at Copenhagen’s Airport, welcoming the millions of travellers to “the world's happiest nation*”.