Latvians happier with life than they were

Take note – story published 8 years ago

Latvians may not always have the reputation for being effervescent, frolicksome fun-lovers, but according to a new poll, despite the sometimes dour expression, they have never been happier.

Latvians' life satisfaction has risen to the highest level since 2005, the new survey of 1,000 people by the SKDS pollster shows.

In the survey respondents were asked how satisfied or dissatisfied they were with their current life on the whole. They had to rate their life satisfaction on a ten-point scale where one stands for "total dissatisfaction" and ten for "complete satisfaction".

The life satisfaction index was 6.73 points this year. The index had dropped to the lowest point ever in 2009 when it stood at 5.5 points. Since 2011, Latvians' life satisfaction has been growing again, to 6.1 points in 2011, to 6.42 points in 2012 and 6.53 points. A slight drop, to 6.48 points, was recorded in 2014, though.

However, as the figures show, even in the darkest days of the 2008-10 recession, Latvians just about believed life was worth living.

The findings chime with a Swedbank survey due to be released Wednesday which also show the happiness of Latvian residents has so far reached its highest level since restoration of the country's independence.

Despite smaller wages and more responsibilities in life, women in Latvia feel happier than men.

Swedbank will present its survey on Wednesday - provided of course no disaster intervenes.

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