The happiest people live in Friesland
The people of Friesland believe that space and well-being are just as important as economic prosperity – a concept also known as ‘broad prosperity’. Friesland lags behind the rest of the Netherlands in areas such as educational attainment and wages. However, it leads the way in areas such as social cohesion, space and high levels of happiness. This is known as the ‘Frisian Paradox’.
The people of Friesland consider space and well-being to be just as important as economic prosperity. Friesland lags behind other parts of the Netherlands in areas such as educational attainment and wages, but leads the way in areas such as social cohesion, space and high levels of happiness. This is known as the Frisian Paradox. The sense of community in Friesland is very strong, and the people of Friesland feel much more connected to one another than people in other parts of the Netherlands.
Friesland has a second official language, Frysk, which fosters a sense of cultural connection and identity. This is unique in the Netherlands, where there are only dialects, but no official languages. When two Frisians meet, even if it is far outside Friesland, they feel a connection through their language.
73% of residents in Friesland are proud of their province, which is significantly higher than the national average of 41%.
Research by the Frisian Social Planning Office has shown that the people of Friesland earn less than the national average, yet they are still the happiest people in the country. 90% of Friesland’s residents are happy, despite earning less. Furthermore, Friesland is the only province in the Netherlands where there is little difference in perceived happiness between people with different levels of education.
It just goes to show once again: money doesn’t bring happiness!
