Publications

#SortingOutSocialMedia

The Happiness Research Institute

& Nordic Council of Ministers, 2019  
 

Does social media really pose a threat to young people’s well-being?

This report examines the relationship between social media use and well-being. It demonstrates that young people's online and offline lives are inextricably linked. To truly understand the effects of social media use, it is therefore necessary to consider which platforms young people use, how they use them, and the personal characteristics that make some young people more vulnerable than others online.

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Please find the online appendix here

Valcon Working Paper I

The Happiness Research Institute

& Valcon, 2019 
 

Global Mangement Consultancy to Revolutionise Corporate Culture with Happiness

The F-word in business is feelings. Companies usually don't talk about feelings or emotions or happiness. However, in 2018, Valcon and The Happiness Research Institute established the Valcon Happiness Lab. On Tuesday 25th June, the first Working Paper with the initial results of the Lab is published to inspire companies and managers world-wide.

The GoodHome Report 

The Happiness Research Institute

& Kingfisher plc, 2019 
 

The GoodHome Report is a major new international study which has been undertaken by the Happiness Research Institute and Kingfisher plc. The report looks at the impact of our homes on our overall happiness and wellbeing. The study surveyed 13,489 people and conducted 78 in-depth personal interviews with people from across 10 countries in Europe.

A key finding is that the home is significantly more important to our happiness than our income or job. Size, location and home ownership have far less impact on happiness than we might expect. 

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Take a look at the short version here.

Job Satisfaction Index 2019 

The Happiness Research Institute, 2019 
 

The 2019 version of the Job Satisfaction Index places emphasis on the main seven factors that have been identified to affect job satisfaction the most among employed Danes.

As several Job Satisfaction Indexes have been published since 2015, this report focuses both on the important factors for job satisfaction for Danes in this year as well as its change over time. Moreover, this year's index explores three current topics: balance, stress, and identity at work. 

In The Shadow Of Happiness
The Happiness Research Institute

& Nordic Council of Ministers, 2018
 

It is true that we in the Nordic countries are generally happier than people in the rest of the world, but there are also people in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden who describe themselves as struggling or even suffering. This report analyses which factors are the most significant in determining why some people in the Nordic region are happy, while others are struggling or suffering. The study also analyses which groups of people are most often struggling or suffering. Finally, the report discusses the potential consequences for our society.

The Little Book of Lykke
Meik Wiking

CEO of the Happiness Research Institute, 2017

In this captivating book, Meik Wiking explores the reasons why some people are happier than others. He investigates how we spend our precious time and to how we relate to our neighbours, he gathers evidence, stories and tips from the very happiest corners of the world.

Get your copy now

How to improve quality of life for young people
The Happiness Research Institute, 2017 (In Danish)
 

Since 2012 Denmark has topped the happiness rankings in the World Happiness Report commissioned by the United Nations. Now the Happiness Research Institute have carried out a study commissioned by Nordea-fonden that focus specifically on young people in Denmark. The study aims to explore the factors that loom large in their lives and identify the social forces that shape their happiness.

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English summary

Job Satisfaction Index 2017
The Happiness Research Institute, 2017
 

In this version of the Job Satisfaction Index our urge to discover and explore will also bring us to

the limits of work life and job satisfaction. We are among other going to discover the resources

that exist within the co-workers at the limit of the work life, explore what the travel to work signifies

for job satisfaction, and what happens when job satisfaction is replaced by stress.

Job Satisfaction Index 2016
The Happiness Research Institute, 2016
 

What drives well-being at work? Why are some employees happier than others? This report gives insight in how much our managers, results and our sense of purpose matter for well-being at work. Our jobs can - and should - be a source of joy, if workplaces are designed right. The study shows that we can now explain 71 percent of the differences in job satisfaction with six factors. The study was produced in a partnership among the trade union Krifa and The Happiness Research Institute.

World Happiness Report 2016
Earth Institute & Columbia University, 2016
 

This year, for the first time, the World Happiness Report gives a special role to the measurement and consequences of inequality in the distribution of well-being among countries and regions. In previous reports the editors have argued that happiness provides a better indicator of human welfare than do income, poverty, education, health and good government measured separately. In a parallel way, they now argue that the inequality of well-being provides a broader measure of inequality. They find that people are happier living in societies where there is less inequality of happiness. They also find that happiness inequality has increased significantly in most countries, in almost all global regions, and for the population of the world as a whole.

Sustainable Happiness
The Happiness Research Institute, 2015

The World Happiness Report 2012, commissioned by the United Nations, noted that the tools of happiness research have the potential to recast the debate between economic growth and

environmental protection. Moreover, it calls for an exploration of the established links between happiness and environmental sustainability. This report is an attempt to answer that call.

European Happiness Equality Index
The Happiness Research Institute, 2015

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Happiness rankings are usually based on averages. But one thing is the happiness average, another is how happiness is distributed. With this groundbreaking index – the first of its kind in the World - The Happiness Research Institute  would like to introduce the concept of well-being equality. We hope to improve the debate about equality and increase our understanding of the consequences of inequality in society.

The Facebook Experiment
The Happiness Research Institute, 2015

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Does social media affect the quality of our lives? When we evaluate our lives, we are influence by social comparisons. How am I doing compared to my peers? Since social media is a constant flow of great news for other people, we wanted to conduct an experiment where a randomised trial group did not log on to Facebook for one week. This report presents the results of the experiment.

Job Satisfaction Index 2015
The Happiness Research Institute, 2015

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What drives well-being at work? Why are some employees happier than others? This report gives insight in how much our managers, results and our sense of purpose matter for well-being at work. Our jobs can - and should - be a source of joy, if workplaces are designed right. The study shows that we can now explain 71 percent of the differences in job satisfaction with six factors. The study was produced in a partnership among the trade union Krifa and The Happiness Research Institute.

World Happiness Report 2015
Earth Institute & Columbia University, 2015

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The third World Happiness Report includes chapters on how to design public policy when happiness is the goal and presents how well-being vary around the World by gender and Age. The report is also the first report, where Denmark does not take top spot in the ranking.

The Happy Danes
The Happiness Research Institute, 2014

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Denmark is often named the world’s happiest country. But what are the reasons for the high levels of happiness in Denmark?  For the first time, the reasons are explained in this comprehensive report. “The Happy Danes – Exploring the reasons behind the high levels of happiness in Denmark” explains how a strong civil society, a good work-life balance, and a high level of social security are causes of happiness.

Happiness Survey - Dragør 2013
The Happiness Research Institute, 2014

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Together with the Happiness Research Institute, the town of Dragør, just outside Copenhagen, has published a happiness survey. Looking at different dimensions of happiness and quality of life among the citizens, this report identifies challenges and opportunities for the town to raise the level of subjective well-being among the citizens.

OECD Guidelines
OECD, 2013

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In order to measure progress in another way than through economical indicators, OECD has launched Better Life Initiative. Here, the OECD measures and maps life satisfaction in a number of countries. Furthermore, the OECD has published guidelines for research in order to standardize happiness surveys.