Denmark and Sweden are some of the happiest countries in the world, but they also have the highest tax rates (interview, wage)

[kwflconch]

Denmark... Number one for being the happiest

Just like Sweden, Denmark is a Nordic welfare state with most of its services free to the citizens. Expect to pay 72% of your money to the government on the highest income tax bracket. According to Wikipedia Denmark has the worlds highest taxes! When buying a car in Denmark one has to pay 25% VAT to the import price of the vehicle and then a 180% registration tax on top. That means when a car sells for $20 000, you have to pay an additional $45 000 as taxes for the government (total of $65 000). That’s why people in Denmark ride bikes or use one of the best public transport systems in the world. Denmark also has 2 autonomous provinces – the Faroe Islands and Greenland. The latter is over 50 times larger than Denmark but has about 100 times less people.

Sweden... Ranked 7th for happiest

This “welfare state” model is an excellent example of effective national taxes. Among other things the state provides universal tax-funded childcare, parental leave, health care, education (including university), retirement pensions and sick leave. Including value added tax (VAT – kind of like sales tax), it is possible to pay up to 80% of your income as taxes. Contrary to popular belief, Swedes are quite OK with their high taxes. After all it gives them tons of free and high quality services – what’s not to be happy about!

The United States... ranked 17th.

Top 10 happiest countries in the world | Financial Jesus

[evilnewbie]

I don't know how you can measure "happiness"... one, never believe statistics that measure "emotions" and two, never measure happiness when everyone in the country is overtaxed... they don't know that there is a better place out there... and they cheat on their taxes like breathing air... the government turns a blind eye... and three.. how many countries are in this world? 17th is looking pretty dang good...

[Gary Siete]

Taxation in Canada - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Comparison of taxes paid by a household earning the country's average wage (as of 2005)

1) Single No Kids
2) Married w/ 2 kids

1) Single 2) Married
25.70% 8.10% Ireland
29.00% 11.00% Iceland
29.10% 11.90% United States
35.30% 12.20% Luxembourg
20.50% 14.50% New Zealand
28.30% 16.00% Australia
17.30% 16.20% Korea
18.20% 18.20% Mexico
29.50% 18.60% Switzerland
31.60% 21.50% Canada
38.30% 23.20% Slovakia
27.70% 24.90% Japan
36.20% 26.60% Portugal
43.80% 27.10% Czech Republic
33.50% 27.10% United Kingdom
38.60% 29.10% Netherlands
41.40% 29.60% Denmark
37.30% 29.60% Norway
39.00% 33.40% Spain
45.40% 35.20% Italy
47.40% 35.50% Austria
51.80% 35.70% Germany
44.60% 38.40% Finland
38.80% 39.20% Greece
50.50% 39.90% Hungary
55.40% 40.30% Belgium
50.10% 41.70% France
43.60% 42.10% Poland
47.90% 42.40% Sweden
42.70% 42.70% Turkey

[arctichomesteader]

They didn't actually survey how happy people are. The socialist leaning authors simply assumed the countries with more social programs would be happier.

[babby pueblo]

Comparison of taxes paid by a household earning the country's average wage (as of 2005)

This should be done with median, not average.

[nmnita]

I have seen studies done on many things, but this might be a first. Who really cares and how can you measure happiness? What a stupid subject!!!

Nita

[Gary Siete]

Originally Posted by babby pueblo

This should be done with median, not average.

The wikipedia table heading is incorrect.

The source OECD Excel (.xls) file is here - full of interesting international tax stats to stimulate "debate":

http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/634788846751

[babby pueblo]

I remember seeing this on TV, they interviewed some Danish kids and they all said it was their humbleness that made them the happiest nation on Earth. What a buncha smug eurojerks, I say we raise our taxes through the rough to show them who's boss!

[chielgirl]

I just read a great book called The Geography of Bliss that discussed this subject. One of the interesting items, in the first chapter, was that a University in Rotterdam maintains the "happiness" index.
I'd quote you some of it but I just gave my book to some young people I met on my travels.

[evilnewbie]

Originally Posted by babby pueblo

This should be done with median, not average.

I agree... average is a bit deceptive... median is a better number...