Our World
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Happiness vs. life satisfaction

Vertical axis shows average self-reported life satisfaction scores in the Cantril Ladder.Horizontal axis shows share of people who say they are 'very happy' or 'rather happy' – as opposed to 'not very happy' or 'not at all happy'.

OurWorldInData.org/happiness-and-life-satisfaction/ •

Source: World Value Survey (2014); World Happiness Report (2023)

Note: Cantril ladder question: “Please imagine a ladder, with steps numbered from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top. The top of theladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladderrepresents the worst possible life for you. On which step ofthe ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?” World Value Survey question: "Taking all things together, would you say youare (i) Very happy, (ii) Rather happy, (iii) Not very happy or (iv) Not at all happy".

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