Almost 80% of Colombians believe that money is not synonymous with happiness

As part of the International Day of Happiness that will be celebrated this Sunday, March 20, the National Federation of Merchants (Fenalco) conducted a survey to measure what makes Colombians happy the most. Among the data that the survey yielded, it was found that, for most compatriots, money does not buy happiness.

According to the results, 79% of Colombians surveyed indicated that a person is not happier the more money they possess, while only 21% assured the more economic power a person has, the more happiness they will have.

The survey also revealed that, at the moment, what makes Colombians happier is spending time with their families, according to 52% of Colombians, followed by the enjoyment of free time, with 24%.

Similarly, 12% said that love makes them happy; 6% are content with having good friends; 4% with having money, while 2% of respondents said they were happy with graduating as a professional.

The survey, which was conducted virtually, also revealed what are the reasons why some Colombians are not happy. According to the survey, 12% indicated that their unhappiness was related to not having a good relationship with the family; 6% said it was because they did not find love; 4% because they were unsocial; 7% linked their lack of happiness to poverty, while the remaining 71% said it was because of all the above aspects.

In this regard, Fenalco investigated more in depth what compatriots thought they needed to be fully happy. The results showed that, while 33% said they lacked nothing, 26% said money; 18% love; 13% get a better job, and 10% improve their family relationships.

With regard to money and employment as engines of happiness, the survey revealed that 30% of Colombians consider that their economic situation has improved markedly compared to five years ago; for 33% it improved somewhat; 16% said that it has not improved or worsened; for 13% it has worsened slightly, and for 9% it worsened much.

Regarding leisure and recreation, 62% of respondents said that they have not spent enough time to spend with their friends in the last year.

Regarding happiness, the poll concluded that, according to 84 per cent of Colombians consulted, the country's young population is not necessarily happier than older people.

Regarding the general happiness of Colombians, the country also cracked. In the latest report of the World Happiness Report, published this Friday, March 18, it was announced that, out of 146 nations surveyed, Colombia ranked 66th among the happiest countries in the world, a fact that would make it clear that compatriots are no longer as happy as surveys indicated in previous years.

According to the report, among the criteria that were evaluated to give each country a place in the ranking were welfare and quality of life, per capita income, perception of corruption, freedom to make decisions, among others.

Thus, the countries that were rated this year as the happiest in the world, are: Finland, Denmark, Iceland. The top five was completed by Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Regarding the results obtained by Colombia, which for this time lost places in the ranking, Jeffrey Sachs, one of the people in charge of writing the report, concluded: “The lesson drawn from the report, in these ten years, is that generosity among people and the honesty of governments are crucial for well-being.”

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