Many in the Scandinavia will be complimented and will happily say ‘thank you’ to the United Nations report. Many others will rather think the report is unfortunate and may be used for political ends, especially by governments that are hell bent on eroding social benefits from its citizens as swift as possible. The argument by policymakers have been that governments have to take a new review of active social welfare policies in order to cut wastes and for their economies to be more competitive. Many observers fear that with the recent policies being implemented by several governments in the region, it is just a matter of time before the region will be ranked at the bottom rung of the World happiness league.
The tackling point to consider is how to reckon with the report especially if one resides within the Scandinavian region. It may be ironic today to see a lot of grim faces wrinkled with soaring cost of living, some of the highest rates of taxation on the planet, devaluing savings and pension funds and an increasing level of unemployment some of which are unprecedented. Some other people will suggest that the report should be dismissed at first hand. They argue, it is merely a comparative study involving many countries but not actually based on historical trends and the evolving economic situation within the region.
Many Scandinavians have seen their fortunes eroded over the past five years especially with a very dull housing market and increasingly bleak pension investment funds. The recent economic meltdown in southern Europe may have helped Scandinavians to see themselves as fortunate, many will never like to imagine a Greek-styled meltdown in Denmark or Sweden.
The real measure of happiness might have been to compare the public mood over the past one or two decades. May be many will agree, sadly though, that it is never the happiest period in the Scandinavian region.
Afroscandic.com will be very glad to know your views on the recent U.N assessment of the region and especially on what you think is the real mood of the people residing in the scandinavia. Please make an opinion poll with the opinion poll box and you could also write your comment in the comment box below.
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Written by Michael Olajide ILORI, an Afroscandic Contributor, Copenhagen, Denmark.Published on Monday, April 9, 2012.For how to write and get articles published on Afroscandic, see our Publishing Guidelines
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