Global pursuit of happiness

When it comes to happiness, here are the facts: In the 1948 Gallup poll, Australia ranked first of five nations in happiness. In the 1948 Tension Study, Australia ranked second of nine in life satisfaction. In the 1975 Kettering survey, Australia ranked fourth out of 12 for happiness, first out of 12 for life satisfaction and second out of 12 for respondents agreeing that they were living the best possible life. In the world-values survey conducted during the period 1981-84, Australia ranked fifth out of 21 for happiness and seventh out of 22 for life satisfaction. In the 2001 International Social Survey Program poll, Australia ranked ninth out of 27 for happiness. In a 2004-05 Roper Reports Worldwide study, Australia ranked first out of 30 for happiness.