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Europe is a diverse continent with countries excelling in various aspects of life. A fascinating map by Reddit user bezzleford attempts to answer a playful question: does your country “Live, Laugh, Love”? This map visualizes three indicators—life expectancy, happiness, and generosity—to see which European nations rank highly in all three categories.
The Criteria: Live, Laugh, and Love
The map assigns countries a status based on these three factors:
Laugh – Countries scoring above 6.5 in the World Happiness Report 2024 (World Happiness Report).
Love – Countries ranking in the top 20% of the World Giving Index 2022, which measures charitable giving (CAF World Giving Index).
Which Countries Live, Laugh, and Love?
Four countries—Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom—achieve the trifecta of high life expectancy, happiness, and generosity. This means they not only enjoy long and healthy lives but also report high levels of happiness and generosity towards others.
Several other countries perform well in two categories. For example:
Sweden, Finland, and Norway score high in life expectancy and happiness but don’t make the top 20% in generosity.
Czechia and Poland are among the most generous but don’t rank as high in happiness or longevity.
Do These Indicators Correlate?
Looking at the data, there is a strong link between happiness and life expectancy. Healthier, longer-living populations often report higher well-being. Wealthier, socially stable countries also tend to have robust healthcare systems and high levels of social trust, contributing to both longevity and happiness.
However, generosity doesn’t always follow the same pattern. While some highly developed countries rank well in charitable giving, others do not. The World Giving Index takes into account factors like helping strangers, donating money, and volunteering, which vary based on cultural norms rather than economic status.
