Estonians now as happy with their lives as during boom years

2015-02-11
from wire reports, TALLINN

Image: lifeassirli

According to a new Eurobarometer survey, last autumn 77% of Estonian citizens were satisfied with life in general, which is similar to the European Union average, Postimees Online reports.

Levels of satisfaction with life in general in 2014 were similar to those recorded during the boom years of 2006-2007. Groups characterised by a particularly high level of satisfaction with life included younger people (15-34 years), people with higher levels of education, and the economically better-off. Satisfaction with life was highest among those people who said they had right-wing political views.

In the EU on average, 79% of citizens were happy with their life.

Danish citizens were the most satisfied with their life, of whom 97% are satisfied with their lives very or fairly satisfied. The lowest life satisfaction ratings were recorded is in Greece and Bulgaria, where a mere 41% and 46% respectively of citizens are satisfied with their lives.

Regarding the economic situation of the country, Estonian citizens were more positive than they have been since 2007: the country's economic situation was considered very good or rather good by 51% of citizens. A total of 43% of respondents assessed the economic situation in the country to be rather bad or very bad. The EU averages were 34% and 63% respectively.

Evaluations of household economic situations also became more positive in 2014 as well - in the autumn of 2014, 71% of Estonian citizens believed that their household's economic situation was very good or rather good. In Europe, on average the figure was 65%.

As regards the economic situation of the country in the near future, nearly half (47%) of Estonian citizens believe that the situation will remain the same over the next year, 29% believe it will improve, 15% think that the situation will become worse.

When asked what the most important problems currently facing Estonia are, 30% of citizens chose unemployment. 29% health and social security and 28% the economic situation.