New analysis: City residents are less satisfied with life than rural residents.
Do you live in a big city? Then there is a certain likelihood that you are less satisfied with life than those who live in rural areas. This is shown by a new analysis from the Center for Rural Districts Research, which has been conducted by Associate Professor Jens Fyhn Lykke S酶rensen. He also points out 4 factors that explain the difference in life satisfaction.
In modern, developed countries, it is a well-known trend that people in large cities generally report lower life satisfaction than those living in rural areas. This phenomenon is often called the "happiness paradox" – for why would cities, historically attracting people from the countryside with their job opportunities, cultural offerings, and amenities, also be associated with lower happiness?
A new analysis by Associate Professor Jens Fyhn Lykke Sørensen from the Center for Rural Districts Research sheds light on this paradox in Denmark. The analysis is based on a Danish survey from 2012 with 2,000 participants and shows that people in Denmark's five largest cities – Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg, and Esbjerg – experience lower life satisfaction than the population in the rest of the country.
4 factors make rural life happier
This pattern is not just a coincidence. Sørensen points out that four central factors explain up to 94% of the difference in life satisfaction between urban and rural areas:
1. Access to nature: People living outside the large cities typically have easier access to green spaces and scenic surroundings. Research shows that this has a positive effect on mental health and well-being. In the survey, access to nature accounts for 37% of the happiness difference between urban and rural residents.
2. Social capital: Close relationships with family, neighbors, and the local community are significantly stronger in rural areas. People in smaller towns and villages often experience a sense of togetherness and support, contributing to 22% of the higher happiness in rural areas.
3. Demographic differences: There is a higher proportion of retirees outside the large cities, and the study shows that retirees generally report higher life satisfaction. This explains 14% of the difference.
4. Ethnic diversity: Cities have a higher proportion of residents born outside Denmark, who generally report lower satisfaction. This may relate to differences in norms, values, and integration into Danish society.
Nature and social relationships outweigh income
Interestingly, the analysis found no significant correlation between income and life satisfaction. This may be due to Denmark's welfare system, which ensures a basic economic safety net for all citizens. "When money is not an issue, other factors determine one's happiness. In Denmark, it seems to be about social relationships, integration into society, and access to nature," explains Jens Fyhn Lykke Sørensen.
Can cities become happier?
The analysis suggests possible solutions to increase well-being in cities. More green spaces, stronger local communities, and better integration of various population groups may help reduce the happiness gap between urban and rural areas. "We know that nature and social relationships play a big role in life satisfaction. If we want to make cities more attractive to live in, we need to think beyond just economic growth. We need to create cities where people thrive and feel connected to each other and their surroundings," concludes the researcher.
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