Why Israelis are happier than ever
Recent surveys indicate that the average Israeli is happy, optimistic and likes having children despite existential security threats from near and far.
In the various happiness and optimism indexes published by international organizations including the United Nations, Israelis practically always end up near the top. Despite Israel being the only state in the world whose existence is still not a foregone conclusion, being constantly questioned and having its entire population under the continuous threat of hundreds or thousands of rockets and missiles, Israelis display a great deal of vitality according to the various happiness indexes, coming in way ahead of peaceful European states and powers like the United States and Russia.
This is a well-known Israeli paradox that makes the tiny country, surrounded by enemies and in a constant state of war, a type of paradise tinged with hell. This impossible mixture occasionally produces miracles. A recent family life index by the Expat Insider publication InterNations ranked Israel fourth among the best countries in which to raise a family. Austria came in first, followed by Finland and Sweden. Israel was well ahead of Britain, Germany, the United States and other economic powers. If you ask the average Israeli, he or she will tell you that they are afraid of threats to the country's security, stressed by economic pressures, on edge because of constant tensions — and that’s why they’re happy. Yes, that’s the way it is.
