In 2023, the average life satisfaction rating in the EU was 7.3 on a scale from 0 to 10. Life satisfaction may be influenced by many factors, such as age, level of education, family and financial situation, Eurostat noted.
Maybe also a predisposition to doom and gloom. It always seems supremely appropriate that this annual data is published at the end of January, right when we’re all feeling a bit meh.
Among the 27 EU countries, 15 had ratings at or above the EU average. Astonishingly, Finland had the highest rating at 7.8, followed by Belgium, Austria, Romania, and Slovenia (each at 7.7).
The lowest ratings were registered in Bulgaria (5.9), Latvia and Greece (both 6.9). And spare a thought for the people of Turkey. We might be a bit morose, but at least we’re in the EU. Turkey isn’t, but is included in the data with a score of 5.6 that makes even Latvians look like upbeat optimists.
“Overall, all countries except Bulgaria had an average life satisfaction rating above 6, meaning that respondents to the survey declared themselves to be satisfied rather than dissatisfied,” said Eurostat, clutching at straws.
Looking on the bright side to the extent that this is possible, Latvia’s score has at least soared by 0.1 points from last year’s score of 6.8 and we are gradually managing to muster marginally more satisfaction as the years roll by. In 2021 we had a score of 6.7 and back in 2013 we were an inconsolable 6.5.
Anyway, it’ll all seem a lot better in April when the sun is shining and the storks are back in their nests. Hang in there.
Source dataset: ilc_pw01
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