Czech Republic tops Germany, EU average in overall life satisfaction

Czechs are more satisfied with their lives than the average European Union citizen, according to EU statistical arm Eurostat. They were also generally pleased with their financial situations and relationships.

Eurostat
asked EU residents over 16 years to rank their life satisfaction on a
scale of one to 10, with 10 being most satisfied. Overall, the
population of the 25 EU countries surveyed is on average more
satisfied than five years ago, rising to 7.3 from 7.0. Slovakia,
Ireland and Britain did not participate in the study.

“In
2018, the mean life satisfaction … varied significantly between EU
Member States. With an overall average of 8.1, inhabitants of Finland
were the most satisfied with their lives in the EU, closely followed
by those in Austria (8.0), Denmark, Poland and Sweden (all 7.8),”
the Eurostat survey said.

“At
the opposite end of the scale, residents in Bulgaria (5.4) were by
far the least satisfied, followed by those in Croatia (6.3), Greece
and Lithuania (both 6.4), Hungary (6.5), Latvia and Portugal (both
6.7),” they added.

Life
satisfaction increased since 2013 in 19 EU members. The highest
increase was in Cyprus, from 6.2 in 2013 to 7.1 in 2018, or 0.9
points, Bulgaria up 0.6 points, and the Czech Republic, Estonia,
Poland and Portugal, all up 0.5 points. Belgium and Croatia remained
the same, and decreases were seen in Lithuania, Denmark, the
Netherlands and Sweden.

Respondents
living in households with dependent children have the highest mean
satisfaction rating, while people living in single households have
the lowest level of satisfaction. In the Czech Republic, households
with dependent children had a satisfaction level of 7.8, while single
people registered at 6.9.

Across
the EU, life satisfaction decreased with age, and increased with both
education and income levels. Gender did not play a significant role.
Czechs earning in the lowest 20% had a life satisfaction level of
6.7, and those in the top 20% had a level of 9.1.

Least
satisfied were residents in Bulgaria (4.3), followed by those in
Greece, Croatia, and Lithuania (all 5.2), Latvia and Portugal (both
5.4), and Hungary (5.5).

The
mean satisfaction with the financial situation increased in all
surveyed EU countries compared with 2013, with the exception of
Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands where it remained unchanged,
and Lithuania where it decreased.

The
highest increases were recorded in Greece, Cyprus and Portugal
(+0.9), Malta (+0.8), the Czech Republic, Italy, and Slovenia (all
+0.7).

Czechs
were seventh in the EU in satisfaction with personal relationships,
but Slovenia led the CEE region in third place.

“In
2018, the mean satisfaction with personal relationships varied
significantly between EU Member States. With an overall average of
8.6, inhabitants of Malta, Austria and Slovenia were the most
satisfied with their personal relationships in the EU,” Eurostat
stated. These were followed by people in Cyprus and Sweden (both
8.5), Finland (8.4) and the Czech Republic (8.3).

Least
satisfied were residents in Bulgaria (6.6) followed by those in
Greece (7.1), Croatia (7.5), Italy, Hungary and Romania (all 7.6)
were the least satisfied.

Among
surveyed countries, the mean satisfaction with personal relationships
in 2018 increased since 2013 in 18 states.

“The
highest increases were recorded in Bulgaria (from 5.7 in 2013 to 6.6
in 2018, or +0.9), Cyprus (+0.5), Spain (+0.4), Estonia, Italy,
Portugal and Slovenia (all +0.3). Compared with 2013, the mean
satisfaction with personal relationships remained unchanged in two
member states: Hungary and Romania, while a decrease was recorded in
five member states: Denmark, Latvia and the Netherlands (all -0.3),
Lithuania and Luxembourg (both -0.2),” Eurostat said.