Greece ranks notably low in the satisfaction index, according to the annual publication of the European Statistical Service (Eurostat), which measures “quality of life” indicators.
Greece is third from the bottom, surpassing only Bulgaria and tying with Germany with a score of 6.5. According to last year’s data (2021), Greece has lost 0.6 points in satisfaction.
The finding shows that contrary to public perception that the southern European countries enjoy a more relaxed and stress-free life, it is the homeland of Mozart, Austria where citizens are the happiest among the 27 member states of the European Union, topping the charts with a total score of 7.9 out of 10.
Italy, Spain, and France, three of the EU’s largest economies, hover around an average score of 7.1 for the continent.
Austria’s affluent status contributes to its unsurprising lead. However, Poland and Romania follow closely, marking a surprising inclusion in the ranking. Despite being economically less prosperous, both nations score 7.7 out of 10, tying with Finland for the second position.
At the other end of the spectrum, in the countries with the least happy citizens, Germany stands out as a surprise. Despite having one of the strongest economies among the EU’s 27 member states, the data is disheartening.
In 2021, Germany scored 7.1, but recent figures for 2022 reveal a sharp decline to 6.5. This places Germany second from the bottom in the rankings, surpassing only Bulgaria, the sole country among the 27 to score below 6 out of 10.
The scale ranges from 0 – absolute dissatisfaction – to 10 – indicating optimal satisfaction. Across all member states, life satisfaction increased parallel to the level of education, with the place of residence also playing a significant role.
Overall, residents in the northern and many western regions of the bloc tend to be more satisfied with their lives compared to those in the Baltic countries. Those living near the Mediterranean and in the eastern parts of the EU, on the other hand, reported higher levels of unhappiness.
