According to one of the most anticipated annual surveys on hope, happiness and expectations, carried out by Gallup, the top five places are occupied by territories that are not considered first world, much less rich countries. In total, 44 countries were included in the survey.

Despite the difficulties of the pandemic and an uneven economic recovery, the survey said Colombia was in first place, where 79% of the inhabitants surveyed revealed that they feel "happy" or "very happy." 

Kancho Stoychev, president of Gallup, told the German media DW that “traditionally — we have been doing this global study for more than 40 years — the most developed or richest countries are not the happiest. This year the first is Colombia, with 79%. Usually, countries with a younger population top the list. More developed societies tend to have a larger population and are less happy. But acknowledging that you are happy or unhappy includes various cultural, psychological and national prejudices and stigmas. Happiness is often perceived as an absence: the absence of disease, poverty, or oppression. It is something very subjective that cannot be measured with a microscope, but it plays an important role in our lives.”

• Colombia / +79
• Kazakhstan / +76
• Albania / +74
• Malaysia / +73
• Azerbaijan / +70

With respect to the least happy nations, Stoychev indicated that “when measuring optimism and pessimism, what we do is register public attitudes, not personal ones. It is rather a condemnation of the way society works and, from that point of view, it is a positive and productive attitude. Our measure of happiness is a self-assessment.”

• Ghana
• Afghanistan
• Hong Kong
• Iraq
• Russia

“Last year was marked by the hope that vaccines would end the pandemic. This one, however, ends with more questions than answers,” said the president of Gallup, referring to projections that are forecast over the next 12 months.

Regarding expectations for 2022, 38% of the Colombians surveyed also expressed feeling optimistic and confident about the current situation and the one to come.