Where are workers happiest?

Belgian workers are the world’s happiest, according to Universum’s new Global Workforce Happiness Index.

The report surveyed 250,000 professionals across 55 markets to assess worker happiness at an international level. The survey asked workers to rate their happiness based on a variety of indicators, including how long they intend to stay in their job, whether they would recommend their job, and how likely they are to stay in their current job.

Belgium’s place at the top is based on its workforce rarely considering other jobs, and an overall high job satisfaction rate.

Following Belgium in second place is Norway, with high levels of job security and earnings reflected in the OECD’s Better Life Index and Universum’s report. Costa Rica completes the top three – a recent Gallup survey highlighted the role of tourism in creating steady, enjoyable work across the Latin American nation.

Fourth place goes to Denmark, where unemployment levels are lower than the OECD average, and earnings are higher. There are also a number of government policies, including helping graduates to find work with small an medium enterprises, and a project to help ethnic minority entrepreneurs get access to mentors.

The only African nation to feature in the top five is South Africa, where the majority of the population report being satisfied with their job.

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Author: Joe Myers is a Digital Content Producer at Formative Content. 

Image: A share trader reacts as she sits behind her trading terminal. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach