Whose survey is one supposed to believe? The AFP also claims that the Danes are first, but are followed, not by the Dutch, but rather by the Swedes, Finns, and Norwegians.
Well, OK, I guess De Telegraaf is just trying to do its part to make the Dutch also feel 'happier'. Why not? Theses are difficult times.
One must continually remind oneself that the news media has long since forgotten its role as provider of public, fair and balanced information and should now be considered as just another form of entertainment, not occasionally on par with comic books.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jZ1vYN6IIV56KqlbpPGivCAz2xog

By HistoryTechDoc | November 24, 2008 9:27 PM

The Danes also have the lowest rate of immigration in Europe, about 4%. A right-winged person could use that to 'prove' their point if they wanted to and that scares me.

By Natasha Cloutier | November 25, 2008 8:23 AM

I was curious too. Where are these happy Dutch people. The ones I run into are always complaining or gossiping is a mean way about others. I think happiness is subjective and needs to be defined here. Perhaps this is what keeps them happy!

By AW | November 25, 2008 8:55 AM

happy happy, ohw i am so happy. What a great life we have. Let's celibrate our happiness ;-)

By Hans Aarts | November 25, 2008 3:10 PM

I've always found that when newspapers report findings of various surveys or use them as an argument for or against a point its always wise to go read the survey itself. It is true though that the Scandinavian countries come first and then the netherlands in 5th place. The survey itself can be found here:

http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/press/releases/2008/081119.htm

By Yiannis C | November 27, 2008 8:09 AM