Should we look north when it comes to countries offering a more relaxed environment and more sedate pace of life? The answer appears to be yes, if we look towards Nordic nations that is.
Denmark leads as the most relaxed country with the highest life satisfaction index among all countries, according to a recent survey. The countries with the highest work-life balance generally have lower percentages of stressed populations, adding support to this health-related recommendation.
This comes at a time when the level of global peacefulness has deteriorated by 2 percent since 2008, with 75 countries recording a deterioration, while 86 improved.
These findings come via GroundingWell, who ranked countries based on their need for relaxation. The study measured: annual working hours, paid vacation days, work-life balance, stress levels, anger levels and life satisfaction index. These factors were weighted and combined into a “Relaxation Score” on a scale of 0-100, revealing which countries are most relaxed.
Of course, such surveys are subjective and there are alternative assessments of the more peaceful countries to reside in. The new survey is very much Nordic in its direction.
Across different sectors, Western Europe remains the world’s most peaceful region overall. Such polls are, of course, subjective and the criteria used can be expanded or contracted, and each criterion contested. Nonetheless, such reviews are of interest as clearly some places enjoy higher qualities of life than others.
The most relaxed countries were established as:
- Denmark
- Netherlands
- Germany
- France
- Finland
Denmark leads as the most relaxed country. Danes enjoy the highest work-life balance index and a high life satisfaction score of 8.8. The country benefits from 25 vacation days annually and maintains the second-lowest annual working hours.
A safe country to travel and live in, Denmark is characterized by a high degree of political stability, freedom of the press and respect for human rights.
The Netherlands ranks second. The Dutch maintain a strong work-life balance index and high life satisfaction. The country has the second-lowest percentage of residents experiencing anger (9 percent) and reporting stress (28 percent).
Germany secures third place. The country has the second-highest work-life balance index and maintains good life satisfaction. Among the German population, 32 percent report feeling stressed, and only 15 percent experience anger.
France comes in fourth. The French maintain a good work-life balance, with 30 vacation days available annually. The country also devotes more than 16 hours a day to leisure, the highest among all countries.
Finland completes the list of the five most relaxed countries. Finns enjoy the highest life satisfaction score of all countries. Finland has the lowest percentage of the population experiencing anger, though 33 percent report feeling stressed.
