by Victor C. Krumm

Where is the “happiest place on earth ?” Disneyworld claims it is and, though it is a great place to enjoy once in a while, the most satisfying place to live in the world is officially tiny Costa Rica, winner of the Happy Planet Index.

The Index measures three factors in 143 countries, encompassing 99 percent of the population on the planet: high life expectancy, high life satisfaction, and a low ecological footprint. Costa Rica came out on top by a large margin.

Essentially, the Index asked: 1. Where are the places with the world’s longest life expectancy ( premise: it is better to live longer than die young)? 2. During one’s lifetime, where are people most satisfied with the quality of their life (premise: living longer but miserably is not very satisfying)? 3. What is the cost to the world’s resources (premise: sustainable development is better than exhausting resources)?

Most folks probably think the wealthiest nations will rank at the top of the list but they would be surprised. The richest, most developed nations fall somewhere in the middle of the Index. The highest-ranking Western nation is the Netherlands – 43rd out of 143. The United Kingdom places 74th and the United States is a long way back in 114th place.

Particularly dramatic is the difference between Costa Rica and the USA. Costa Ricans (who have universal health care provided at almost no cost) live slightly longer than Americans, and report greatly higher levels of satisfaction of their life (think Pura Vida!), but have a carbon footprint less than a quarter the size of the U.S.

Costa Rica reached the top of the rankings for many reasons. The country does not just talk about sustainable development, it is committed to it. While the developed world and rising powers of China and India rely upon nonrenewable resources (think oil) for power while contributing to serious global pollution and global warming, an incredible 99% of Costa Rica’s energy is completely renewable and sustainable. As the States and other developed countries dither about how to address power needs, chase more and more resources to use up, and argue about the challenges of global warming, tiny Costa Rica has been taking action. Even as more and more of the world is being deforested, there are 20% more forested areas in Costa Rica than just 20 years ago. And, though there may be large oil deposits off its shores, the country has ignored its Siren Song and refuses to allow oil drilling. Also, it is the first, and so far the only, country to commit to being completely carbon neutral by 2021.

Costa Rica’s per capita income is only about $11,000, but it is the #1 place in the world for life satisfaction. Other countries can endlessly debate all the ways things cannot be done or rethink their model.