• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Scott Bessent dared the $32 trillion bond market with 'I am the house now' statement. It didn’t listen

2

Billionaire Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong says most charities are 'net negative'—and that he has no plans to make his own foundation

3

This former Navy SEAL spent 5 years in private equity working 100-hour weeks before quitting and building a $9 billion startup

1

Scott Bessent dared the $32 trillion bond market with 'I am the house now' statement. It didn’t listen

2

Billionaire Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong says most charities are 'net negative'—and that he has no plans to make his own foundation

3

This former Navy SEAL spent 5 years in private equity working 100-hour weeks before quitting and building a $9 billion startup
LeadershipLeadership

Americans May be Rich, But They’re Not Happy

Lucinda Shen
By
Lucinda Shen
Lucinda Shen
Down Arrow Button Icon
Lucinda Shen
By
Lucinda Shen
Lucinda Shen
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 20, 2017, 10:12 AM ET
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

President Donald Trump’s promises of 4% GDP growth in America isn’t the best way to make his constituents happier, according to a new United Nations study.

That’s because while economic growth has gradually been on the rise in the U.S. since the financial crisis, Americans’ happiness has only been getting worse in recent years, according to the 2017 World Happiness Report. In fact, U.S. happiness as at its lowest score since 2006, dipping to about 6.8 on a 10-point scale measured by the Gallup International Cantril ladder.

The U.S. doesn’t even rank in the top 10 happiest countries —coming in 14th place out of the 155 nations polled in 2016 — and it was nearly a full point below Norway, which was rated the happiest country with a 7.6.

“The predominant political discourse in the United States is aimed at raising economic growth, with the goal of restoring the American Dream and the happiness that is supposed to accompany it,” a section of the report authored by economist and Director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, Jeffrey Sachs, stated. “But the data show conclusively that this is the wrong approach.”

Researchers polled about 1,000 people in each country and studied various factors including GDP per capita, life expectancy, donations, perceived corporate and government corruption, social support from family and friends, and freedom to make life choices.

Americans think government corruption is on the rise in the country — up 15% since 2006. Generosity of donations, social support from friends and family, and Americans’ sense of personal freedom has also deteriorated, according to the study. That’s helped push happiness in the nation as measured by Gallup even lower.

Sachs added that focusing only on economic growth could actually exacerbate the “deepening social crisis.”

“The United States can and should raise happiness by addressing America’s multi-faceted social crisis—rising inequality, corruption, isolation, and distrust,” he wrote.

 

About the Author
Lucinda Shen
By Lucinda Shen
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Leadership


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in Leadership


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.