It's far from a coincidence that Costa Rica is one of very few countries in the world to have abolished its army, and arguably this is in large part, the reason why Costa Rica is rated as the Happiest Nation on Earth!
There are several ways of measuring happiness in countries, all inexact, but this pearl of Central America does stunningly well, whatever system is used. Just one example is the World Database of Happiness.
This database is compiled by a Dutch sociologist based on answers by surveys conducted by gallop and others and they list Costa Rica in the top spot out of 148 nations.
Costa Rican's, when asked to rate their own happiness on a scale of 1 to 10, rate their happiness at 8.5. Next was Denmark with a rating of 8.3, the United States ranks 20th at 7.4 and the country of Tanzania brings up the caboose at 2.6.
Scholars also calculate happiness by determining the amount of "happy life years". This figure comes from merging average self-reported happiness, as indicated in the previous paragraph, with life expectancy. Using this manner, Costa Rica once again easily topped the list. The United States achieved the 19th spot and Zimbabwe came in last.
Another approach to measuring a country's happiness is the "Happy Planet Index", devised by a liberal think tank known as the "New Economics Foundation". This index combines happiness and longevity of life but also adjusted for environmental impact such as the country's carbon footprint in the world. Once again Costa Rica wins the top spot by achieving contentment and longevity in an environmental way. The Dominican Republic tokes the second spot and the United States ranked, shall we say an unhappy 114th (because of its huge ecological footprint). Zimbabwe was last.
Maybe Costa Rica's contentment has something to do with the ability to explore and enjoy some fabulous beaches on both its Pacific and Atlantic coasts, when one isn't admiring the colorful flora, or the sloths, (Truly the Tortoises of the trees!) or the abundant existence of Monkeys in the jungles. Costa Rica has done an unusually good job of preserving its natural environment, and it's surely easier to be happy basking in the sunshine and greenery versus shivering up north and suffering nature and economic deficit disorders.
Setting Costa Rica apart is surely its remarkable decision to abolish its military/army in 1949. Having done so the military budget was then used for education. It is said there are more teachers in Costa Rica than there are police! Whatever the case it is a relative certainty that increased schooling created a more stable living environment, with the diminished (virtually eliminated) vulnerability to military conflicts that have raged throughout other countries in Central America.
Education has also boosted the economy enabling the country to be what is today considered a major exporter of computer chips. Improved English language skills that are now serving to attract American tourists and making Costa Rica an up and coming marquis travel destination rivaling other well established destinations like Hawaii, the Caribbean and Mexico, much more developed and well ahead in their tourism emphasis and development thereof.
Interesting to note Costa Rica is also recognized as the least corrupt nation in Latin America in which to conduct business!
The evidence is strong that education is a far better investment in the well being of a society than investments in artillery.
In Costa Rica, rising education levels has fostered impressive gender equality that ranks higher than the United States in the World Economic Forum, "Gender Gap Index". This has allowed Costa Rica's female population more equality and opportunity for productivity, much more so than is true in most other countries in the region. A testament to the effectiveness of this philosophy can best be summed up by the recent Presidential election held February 7, 2010 where Laura Chinchilla was elected (Over 54% of the vote 31% +/- more votes than the next closest rival Presidential candidate) making her Costa Rica's first female President.
Likewise, education has nurtured improvements in health care, with life expectancy at par with that of the United States. (Believe it or not, Costa Rica's literacy rate is higher than that of the United States!) And don't be fooled... Medical care & quality of care and services, a much-debated topic of interest in the United States today, is incredibly advanced and modern in Costa Rica. One could say at par in quality as that of the United Sates yet medical and surgical procedures are a fraction of the cost. (Quadruple Bypass surgery less than US$ 18,000 approx). Public & private health insurance is available to both foreigners and Costa Rican's alike. Private health care would cost a man of 45-50, about $1000.00 per annum.
Rising education levels also led the country to preserve its lush environment as an economic asset. Costa Rica is an environmental pioneer in the world, introducing a carbon tax in 1997. The Environmental Performance Index, a collaboration of both Yale and Columbia Universities, ranks Costa Rica N0. % in the world,. The best outside of Europe!
The emphasis on the environment hasn't sabotaged Costa Rica's economy, but rather has bolstered it. Indeed Costa Rica is one of the few countries in the world that is seeing a migration from the United States. Americans are moving here and investing here to enjoy the low cost of living and the increased ease and enjoyment of living life well. There is no doubt that over the next 25 years we will see large numbers of mixed Costa Rican and American coastal communities along Costa Rica's coastal regions.
Cross-country comparisons are uncertain and can be controversial but one cannot deny what seems absolutely clear. Costa Rica's investments in education, rather than arms; has paid rich dividends! Maybe there is a lesson here to be learned for the United States, to devote fewer resources to bolstering military strengths in other countries and more in bolstering education and schools at home and abroad.
Or maybe we should all make a stronger consideration about the possibility of moving and living in Costa Rica! In either regard, whether you travel here for vacation, invest in real estate for retirement homes or simply vacation leisure income generating property, you'll be happy here!!!!!
SOURCES: New York Times January 7th 2010
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