Furthermore, all elderly Danes have their basic needs covered by a government pension, added Lars Larsen, professor in the department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences at Aarhus University.
Larsen argues that Denmark is financially strong, has a long life expectancy and has low levels of corruption, which also allows people to have a higher baseline of happiness.
“Another thing that’s really important is equality and that’s high,” explained Larsen. “It’s harder to be happy if others aren’t and that’s why we see some rich nations not scoring as high as one might expect.”
That is, even if you are rich and live in a rich country, your own happiness can still decrease if you see a group of people who are not doing well and no one is doing anything to change that, Larsen said. This may be why the United States is never at the top of these lists. “Simply because people are not as equal and cannot count on social assistance if they are not well,” he said.
Typically, factors associated with aging, such as cognitive function or learning ability, are illustrated as an inverted “U,” Larsen said. They generally reach their peak in middle age.
But for happiness, the opposite is true, “which means you’re less happy in the middle of life and happier early and later,” Larsen explained.
When the basic needs of older people are met, as is generally the case in Denmark, they are happy.
Older people in Denmark prioritize things they find rewarding
“In general, what is most satisfying and what gives people the most happiness are the so-called intrinsic goods,” said Klausen. These are things that fulfill a person’s inner desires and needs, and not necessarily something that helps someone get ahead in life.
“What has intrinsic value is also something like developing or living your own interests, not something you [é forçado a fazer]but what you really like to do», said Klausen.
Although personal development is generally thought of in relation to young and mid-career professionals, it is often linked to other goals – such as progressing at work or getting a promotion. For the elderly, “it is often more about their personal interests and these intrinsic assets,” said Klausen. This could mean traveling, hiking, going to museums, or anything that people enjoy.
Having the freedom to do what you want is also part of this. “When you free yourself from some responsibilities, it’s easier to maintain freedom,” said Larsen. When seniors don’t need to focus on work or caring for sick children or parents, they can spend their time however they want.
