Satisfaction with Life Index - Europe
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satisfaction_with_Life_Index
This picture visualizes the level of satisfaction with life in Europe . To see the visualization of the whole world, click on the link below:
In the year of 2006, Poland was ranked on the 99th place in the Satisfaction with Life Index ranking. To illustrate the situation, the picture below shows 9 countries ranked before Poland and top 10 best countries.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satisfaction_with_Life_Index
Many of us born in the 1990s are not satisfied with
their life in Poland and plan to go abroad in search of a better
tomorrow. But is life in Poland really bad? It seems so...
Let's look at the latest research results. I
encourage you to visit the website below and familiarize yourself with an interesting
piece of reality presented in the graph.
Source: http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/topics/life-satisfaction/
Did any of you fill the questionnaire for the OECD?
If not, I really recommend filling it
out. On the main page there is an instruction how to do this. As you can see,
Poland in the ranking is almost at the end.
Link is here: http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org
?? My question goes out to each one of you and your families and every person you know.
What really makes us think about our country so bad ??
It's not "them" who puts our
country in rankings like this almost at the end, but it is us who does
that. When you check the ranking of the site such as OECD you actually take
this information as a fact the site itself has just created your opinion, you
start to believe that "living in this country sucks". I think it is
connected with our mentality and before we start changing something physically,
we need to change our minds to feel motivated enough to make a physical step
forward, this simple rule applies to every situation on micro and macro level
of our lives.
Let's try to do something which is not taught in
our schools. Compare to others , draw your own conclusions. Let us admire the
people better than ourselves and try to aim at becoming even better human
beings, as individuals and as a nation.
Gay - The term was originally used to refer to feelings of being "carefree", "happy", or "bright and showy". Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay
?? So I ask you again, are you gay living in Poland :-) ??
PS Switzerland being in the 1st place in the OECD ranking is the most gay country in the world.
Mentality and "moaning nature" will probably be easy answers.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to mention something a bit different, it is the fact that lots of people still have little clue how is life in other countries.
It changed a lot in recent years, with no boarders in Europe + budget airlines = you can say that it's easier than ever to go somewhere. Yet a lot of people never been further than their hometown or some Egyptian, Turkish or Tunisian hotel.
What's interesting, in majority of cases money is not a problem.
It's a lack of desire and curiosity.
Well, that's not a crime, you can't really blame people for lack of curiosity.
But in the same time, it narrows people horizons, it does not provide a necessary benchmark to be able to adequately rate your country.
Yup It seems like you're right and I'd say the same thing. It's a pretty damn good thing to be able to fly wherever we want to. Still though we don't do this because we are too busy people. It's a second problem in Poland. We are too busy working and we've got no free time. This is what I think, I may be wrong and I would love to fly all over the world, but I don't have much free time to do this lol
DeleteI would not agree with the statement that we do not have free time - I think it all depends on the organization of the life ant the proprieties we have.
DeleteMay be I was not flying around the world, but from the beginning of this calendar year I had time for many many things even though I have full time job and I'm full time mom. In my opinion if someone wants to do something they will do that and nothing will stop them.
I agree with Iza.
DeleteOnes only think that they do not have time because of X and Y... in fact, when you put more and more activities in you daily calendar, you will actually start to better organize your time and lose your precious time for things that are not important for you or better - do not lead you to acquire a goal in your life.
I just submitted my ranking of what matter the most for me at http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/. You may have noticed that Poland is not necessarily last one on this ranking, it depend what actually matters to you most. However I really think happiness in our life depends on quite many factors like wealth, culture etc. That is not personal, but reading or hearing nonsense like "money don't matter" is unbearable, money mean a lot, at least up to some level and Poland is far below it. I also think that some of this countries might be overrated, since in example I heard that people in USA have this creepy manner of being happy no matter what. In my personal opinion all of us have their moments of happiness and sometimes we are just sad, miserable and unhappy, and that is completely natural.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, take a look in your lunchbreak at this ted talk http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_why_are_we_happy it really changes view on our personal happiness.
DeleteYup this was a part of my experiment, to see if somebody will notice that I chose the lowest indicators for my article. Poland is actually not that but, it looks like the worst thing are the income and health care. I really love Poland, I've been to many european and not european countries and I can clearly feel the European Spirit in our country, which in my opinion is a good thing excluding the politics etc, but the modern architecture and the "crispness feel" on the modern streets of EU countries is a cool thing. Thx for the link :-)))
DeleteI tried to observe and find out too: why do we complain so much? And is the living in Poland really so bad? ...Complaining is part of our nature – have you seen the “Poland. Come and Complain” campaign? If you haven’y you should :) https://www.youtube.com/user/ComeAndComplainis
ReplyDeleteIt proves that we like to grumble even when there’s no real reason... Maybe we’ve got some complexes? I don’t know.
When it comes to the quality of life – I’ve done some research! I plan to go abroad too, so I tried to find out why people claim to be happier in some other places... e.g. in Australia or Switzerland. I may be wrong but I think it’s the ease with which you can accomplish the most common goals e.g. like finding a job that lets you and your family live with dignity, affording your own place to live, living among society that respects you, being able to get good healthcare level... etc. These are the needs common for most of people all over the world. It helps us to feel happy... Of course happiness is a state of mind and you can feel happy anywhere in any situation – it’s generally up to you.
But addressing the above needs make it much, much, much easier... And does living in Poland make the above easy to get? I really don’t think so.
Thx, I've just watched the come and complain video with the waitress lol :D nice project I will check the other films from that youtuber. Definitely we have got complexes but I would say the worst thing for Poland was the communism, it really changed our national mentality. But It's a topic for hours of a discussion... You have mentioned the 3 worst things and in the OECD ranking these things places us almost at the end of the rankinkg :-) Jobs, Income and Healthcare, these indicators are the worst ones in Poland, so it looks like we have the answer !
DeleteData from the most popular polish panel study called "Social Diagnosis", which was created to measure, inter alia, a level of happiness of Poles, is not as frightening as those you have mentioned above. Edition of the panel summarizing year 2013 reveals that despite the decline of satisfaction from most aspects of life (primarily from the perspectives for the future, situation in the country, work) more than 80% of Poles are happy, 79% positively rate their current life, while the proportion of those who are unfortunate is only 1.6%. Thus, maybe Poles’ life satisfaction is not so bad after all? :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd as for me. I have a wonderful family, friends, hobbies. I can say that I'm happy, but I do not know if this has something to do with the fact that I live in Poland. I think that in any other country, with similar social capital, I also would feel happy. Of course there are many aspects of life that I would like to improve. Although I believe that the most important thing in life is appreciating small pleasures and enjoying every moment. While doing that our existence can be beautiful.
The number 79% in my opinion is overrated and almost unreal, try with your friends. Just ask them if they are happy and you will hear the answerws. I mean it takes a simple question, "are you happy living in Poland?" nothing less nothing more, because of course you can manipulate the results just by using some tricky questions, words etc... I will never believe in that figure...
DeleteI believe it is correct, I would say in my "social group" its over 80% too... everything depends on environment and people you know. Actually I will never believe people how say that living in Poland does not make them happy while they have never tried to live somewhere else .. moaning in Poland is a tradition :)
DeleteI think that very big influence on our perception of the world and ourselves is caused by our history and values given to us during childhood. How many times have you heard that it’s better on the west? We can’t deny the fact that they earn more. And for sure the cost of living is much higher, but they do earn more than us as well. To see how much percent of his salary the Pole spend and how much the Englishman (http://hoga.pl/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/tabela-11.jpg). Take a look at „others” value – big difference isn’t it? (another chart: http://hoga.pl/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/wykres-1.jpg). The same goes with how much we can spend on food and petrol (http://wyborcza.biz/biznes/51,100896,12093709.html?i=1 and http://wyborcza.biz/biznes/51,100896,12093709.html?i=0). When you see those values – you can really get mad, can you?
ReplyDeleteRecently I came across this movie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deBP2qJZ9XE) and it made me realize that the same people are in government for so many years. We do not vote for the exact person, but for the political party and other people decide who will be a member of sejm not us. It’s so obvious, but I’ve never paid that much attention to it. I’m not encouraging to riots, but I think that we should take the future in our hands and do something with that. Maybe the solution presented in the movie isn’t so stupid?
Maybe I’m gripping, maybe I’m fretful or maybe “Polactwo” is coming out of me – I don’t know. I love my country, I think we have fantastic people, but not so good leaders. I really, really recommend this audiobook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AW6VegQN3Y. I can't say that I can agree with everything, all the criticism shown in it, but it's worth reading/hearing . Just to open our eyes.
LOL sorry to say that but this (http://hoga.pl/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/tabela-11.jpg) is the most stupid ranking I have ever seen :-)))))))) thx for the link, yet I think you are also right with the government thing and I thing if we want to change our world, we should kick out all of these politicians which have started in PRL. These people cannot be a good leader of the "new times" and our "new world". They just can't upgrade they minds.
DeleteAnd offtopic: EVERY time I hear the word "gay" used as a synonym of "happy" I think about this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6BeRb_y5x0
ReplyDeleteYou sir must be gay then :-))))))))
DeleteI think our discontent with life in Poland rises from a couple of things.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, the weather. Summers are hot lately, but winters lack of snow. Instead of white snow we have dark gray streets, brown grass and leafless trees. Autumn seems to be the season that covers most of the calendar year here in Poland. And I am not talking about the praised golden fall...
Secondly, the aesthetics. Our streets might be becoming a bit more acceptably / looking every year, but the governments of our cities and the whole country still seem to be lacking basic knowledge about how to combine various visual elements so that the effect looks really good. And look at those signboards and billboards. Horrifying.
At least, the comfort of living. Equals - salaries. And prices. We earn less than people in the west, and most of the products in Poland are more expensive, or of the same price. I don’t think it needs any more comments.
I like your point of view, I just reminded myself how cold it is outside now... :-((( and how hot it is in Miami for example. Actually Warsaw tries to do something against the billboards and huge commercials, maybe our city will look lovely again if they refurbish old buildings to it's original forms :-)))
DeleteYou may thank to whoever you want you do not live in Brusselss.. even up to four seasons in one day ( I experienced three of them ) - then you could complain on the weather ;)
DeleteFurthermore I would not agree with the costs.. but again it depends on target group. Actually you may find discounts places, like our Biedronka or something that you can buy food and stuff at the same or rather slighty higher price (after transfering EU to PLN). No one will ever convince me that the comfort (if you really try to do something with your life or you have been >>REALLY<< trying to accomplish some goals a few years ago - in other words if you know which way you want to follow in your life) is lower than in other countries... it only requires working hard to "Reach the Sky"
I agree that Poles have a tendency to complain, which I really dislike. We complain on everything: weather, politician, work, prices etc. However, the fact is that living conditions in Poland leave much to be desired. Let's look at Maslow's hierarchy of needs:
ReplyDeletehttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Maslow's_Hierarchy_of_Needs.svg
How can people in Poland be happy if many employers (IF you have a job) don't even fulfill the two basic levels of the pyramid? There are a lot of Poles who can't be sure if they're not fired tomorrow, who are overworked (undersleep and neglect their families), and who don't have time and conditions at work to even have a proper meal. Moreover, our national health services do not fulfill our safety need, as we cannot be sure if we get proper medical care if needed (not mentioning regular preventive care visits). To sum up, although I believe that Poles have a tendency to see too many things black, these complaints are in many cases justified.
That's true. Of course you are right and I admit it but the employers also complain about the law and market conditions etc... It's a closed circle and here we try to seek the answer, what really is the starting point... where all these complaints come from? there must a be a source of all of this!
DeleteSure, I agree that many employers have a difficult situation a well. The red tape and formal requirements do not help running one's own business in Poland. Its easy when you have a one-person business activity, but the difficulties begin when you want to have full-time employees. In order to do that legally and in accordance with labour law, you need to provide the employee a work agreement, which requires meeting a lot of requirements by the employer and which is a common reason of why many people work without any contract at all.
DeleteI think, that Poland was ranked on the 99th place in the Satisfaction with Life Index ranking because mentality of the people living in Poland is not the best.
ReplyDeleteMost Polish people complain about: school, work, home, wage, etc.
When a different person from a different country is glad because: he has a job, gets his salary once a moth, has a family and is not lonely.
People living in our country preach doom and gloom instead of enjoying their lives and looking to the future with a smile.
I am sure that, if we change our approach to life we will find Poland in the first 50.
And I wish that all Poles.
The change happens now and here :-)) from now on, we all should be happy :D
Delete@Piotr Wilk presented data from the study "Social diagnosis". I during of my search found the results of other large one - in July 2013 was released the publication of the Central Statistical Office "Quality of life, social capital, poverty and social exclusion in Poland" - quite interesting, because includes, among others, analysis of the subjective assessment of quality of life, takes into account regional disparities - city - village. The data come from executed by the Central Statistical Office (GUS) study entitled: "Study of social cohesion". For those more curious bloggers I put the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xbcr/gus/WZ_jakosc_zycia_2013.pdf
In this trial, the percentage of people (age 16 +) were satisfied with life in rural areas was 74% compared to 72% in towns with a population of 20-100 thousands and 77% in large urban areas. Farmers, gardeners, foresters and fishermen belonged to one of the occupational groups least satisfied with their lives (65% compared to eg 85% among managers and senior officials), but private farmers in the study of economic activity showed greater enthusiasm (73% against 88 % of students and 52% of pensioners).
Slightly varied was the proportion of people with well-being - in the country amounted to 14%, while 15% in cities with less than 100 thousands residents, and 12% in cities with populations of at least 500 thousands residents.
Level of satisfaction significantly differentiated by financial situation, in particular the conditions of life. Poverty risk involved to the greatest extent the inhabitants of villages and small towns.
Poland compared to other European countries:
We don’t lead in the statistics - it's obvious. However, taking into account the results of another report called „Social Climate”- it looks like the whining and complaining are not our special features as Polish society. Others in Europe whine and complain more than we do. If you have a time take a look:
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_408_en.pdf.
In the European statistics there are many countries where people live much worse than in Poland. At least that they declare.
As for me – I’m satisfied with my life. There is always something I can improve, but I don’t identify it directly with the place where I live.
I am glad the subject is interesting and stuff... but dude, this is one hell of a damn long comment :-)))))) All an all I am glad you are the next person happy with your life in Poland :-)
DeleteWow! Congratulations! The way you used the word "gay" is impressive - interesting and attractive.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why people in Poland are so unhappy with their country. I think it's not so bad here ;)
I spent 6 months in England, Manchester to be precise. I was very disappointed - there was nothing I couldn't find in Poland and what more - the weather was ugly and I was always a stranger there.
Similar situation was during my studies - I was lucky to live in the happiest country in Europe - Denmark :) I felt much better in Denmark (even if the weather was the same as in England...) because you can feel that people are very happy and appreciate their lifes. They are calm and don't rush like people in Poland. This is something I really miss, especially at work.
But staying abroad - no matter how long - you will always be a foreigner. That is why I want to stay in Poland. This is my home, here I want to live, work, have a family and firends. Here I feel happy and I will be very glad if I will have more chances to visit the world - but only as a tourist.
Yeah, comparing to what the other countries have in store for their citizens, it's just pathetic that we moan and cry about how bad it is for us - especially when you're skilled, educated and employed. Every employee is not satisfied with his earnings and that's a fact - just look at the worldwide polls.
DeleteWe are constantly comparing ourselves to the "West" and perceiving these countries as 'better', and this is where our complexes come out. A poor guy from Poland compared to US-citizen is basically in the same situation - both are struggling, no matter when you live.
Also, in Poland we are less likely to get shot for playing loud music.
But our society is raised by communism, where the citizen is accustomed to being gifted a job and a place to live. That times are gone now, and everyone has to look out for themselves and not depend on the government - which sucks and will always suck in most countries in the world, especially when a national budget is tight.
Aga - I can only agree with you :)
DeleteI like traveling and visiting new places, but I cannot imagine to move anywhere. I'm happy to live here even though not everything suits me.
Yo, thx Agnieszka, I have learned this word from my friend who is studying English Philology. You guys, really wouldn't like to move anywhere? I mean, come on everyone has their dream country. I would love to move to Dubai lol, just because I love deserts and wind. Also it seems like any kind of business run in Dubai would give me enough money to live like a king lolz plus few days ago their government has abolished visa
DeleteIt seems to me that Poles are not satisfied with their life in Poland, because our life is very expensive and we are earning less than people who live abroad.
ReplyDeleteWhat I mean is that we are jealous of Germans and Britons that they have better financial situation.
Anyway I have never lived in other country and I am really happy to live in Poland. I am sure that when I move somewhere else, I will be able also find disadvantages of this. Hence I want to look on benefits associated with Poland. To my mind, everybody should think in the same way! We have very beautiful culture and wide history. Our grandparents were fighting for this country. We can also change our living conditions. We can make Poland a better place to live.
By the way, do you know "Deck the Hall" christmas carol? In first version of lyrics you can find "gay" word ("[...] don we now our gay apparel [...]"). Currently there is version of this song where this was replaced by "fun". You used very controversial word ;)
I am not satisfied with Poland because my current priority lies in education. And on doctorate level it sucks so much I cannot believe that some people really want to study here.
ReplyDeleteI mean – being a truck driver gives more income than working as a PhD assistant. And if only this kind of work would be rewarding in any other way. As I work with PhD's at work I've been always hearing from them : „Doctorate in Poland was a bad idea. Never do this.”.
I don't really know if I like polish or not. I've got good friends here so I should not care...but there's something in our culture that makes me angry all the time. I don't see sense in so much of our society that I cannot be perfectly pleased with Poland.
And yes – Switzerland has average income of >17k zł. It's nice to know that you don't need to work for two years to buy new car or go on a trip to Japan for instance.
I'm extremely happy living in Poland. In my opinion it depends on thee person not the place after all. I think I would be happy with my life no matter where I live. We have beautiful country, it could be a bit warmer but you can't have it all. We also have many opportunities related to markets which are not yet as developed as markets in our western neighbors.
ReplyDelete