The Gallup survey covered 148 countries where residents were asked whether they felt happy, respected, rested on the day of the poll, whether they were laughing and smiling or were doing something interesting. According to the poll, people in Latin America are the most positive in their attitudes in the world.
The respondents were asked the following questions: did you feel well-rested yesterday? Were you treated with respect all day yesterday? Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday? Did you learn or do something interesting yesterday? Did you experience the following feelings during much of the day yesterday? How about enjoyment?
Some 54 percent of respondents in Lithuania gave positive answers to all questions, as compared with 53 percent in Belarus. Residents of neighboring countries had somewhat more positive emotions – the indicator stood at 59 percent in Russia, 61 percent in Latvia, 67 percent in Estonia and 69 percent in Poland.
The highest percentage of positive emotions was found in Latin America, with eight countries of the region ranking in the top 10.
Vladas Gaidys, director of Vilmorus public opinion and market research company, says that 62 percent of Lithuanian residents were happy with their lives, according to the latest data published by Eurobarometer. In his words, this is one of the highest indicators since Lithuania regained independence in 1990, putting Lithuania above Greece, Portugal, Italy, and some countries in Eastern Europe.
Gaidys said he disagreed with the hypothesis that the Lithuanian nation was pessimistic due to historical circumstances: "I tend to deny the stereotype that Lithuanians are born pessimists. The satisfaction indicators are constantly growing."
In his words, it would be reasonable to compare countries in the same cultural environment, as the global survey is based on a number of factors, including demographic ones.
