Filipinos are among the world's happiest people -- Survey

Filipinos are the happiest among Asians, and one among the happiest people in the world despite the many problems they have to face everyday. This conclusion is based on the study conducted among 50 countries worldwide by the World Values Survey.

In the survey, Filipinos placed number six among the top ten happiest nations, who indicated they are "very happy about their lifestyles." Venezuelans came out the happiest with a rating of 55 percent followed by Nigeria, 45%; Ireland, 42%; Iceland, 42%; Netherlands, 40%; Philippines, 40%; Australia, 39%; United States, 39%; Turkey, 39%; and Switzerland, 38%.

The survey appears to confirm the old adage that money can't buy happiness. Many of the wealthy countries failed to make it to the top 10. The World Values Survey researchers described the desire for material goods as "a happiness suppressant".