PURPOSE

 

INTRODUCTION

Is Denmark really the happiest place on earth?  According a worldwide study of 178 nations by the University of Leicester and Erasmus University of Rotterdam, Denmark’s citizens are the happiest.  With a population of 5.5 million, Denmark’s the government covers healthcare and education, and spends more on children and the elderly than any country in the world per capita.  Because Denmark’s taxes are so high (50-70% of their income), people tend to choose careers they enjoy, rather than ones with status and prestige.  

Why should we study Denmark?  Denmark has adopted the dual-earner/ dual-carer model since the 1960’s.  Denmark’s consistent family-work policies allow for a successful work-family balance.   In Denmark, women find it easier to balance work and family life. Policies also strive to provide incentives for men to engage in childcare.  The Danes greatly value their relationships, especially family, and their government creates conditions favorable to successful reconciliation of work and family, by means of flexible working hours, extended leave, and supportive childcare.

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Useful Links

The Official Website of Denmark

OECD Babies & Bosses Report

Eurostat

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Reference:

Leitner, Andrea and Angela Wroblewski. 2006. "Welfare States and Work-Life Balance: Can good practices be transferred from the Nordic countries to conservative welfare states?" European Societies 8(2): 295.

Weir, Bill and Sylvia Johnson. January 8, 2007. "Denmark: The Happiest Place on Earth.” ABCNEWS. Retrieved 2/13/08 http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=408609