Living in Costa Rica Tops the Happy Planet Index

 

(CNN) — Forget Disneyland! Costa Rica is the happiest place in the world, according to an independent research group in Britain with the goal of building a new economy, "centered on people and the environment." In a report released Saturday, the group ranks nations using the "Happy Planet Index," which seeks countries with the most content people.

In addition to happiness, the index by the New Economics Foundation considers the ecological footprint and life expectancy of countries. For people living in Costa Rica  reported "the highest life satisfaction in the world and have the second-highest average life expectancy of the new world (second to Canada)," the organization said in a statement. They "also have an ecological footprint that means that the country only narrowly fails to achieve the goal of … consuming its fair share of the Earth’s natural resources."

The Central American country, tucked between Nicaragua and Panama, touts its lush rain forests and pristine beaches. Its president, Oscar Arias Sanchez, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for trying to help end civil wars in several Central American countries. This year’s survey, which looked at 143 countries, featured Latin American nations in nine of the Top 10 spots. The runner-up was the Dominican Republic, followed by Jamaica, Guatemala and Vietnam.

Most developed nations lagged in the study. While Britain ranked 74th, the United States snagged the 114th spot, because of its hefty consumption and massive ecological footprint. The United States was greener and happier 20 years ago than it is today, the report said. Other populous nations, such as China and India, had a lower index brought on by their vigorous pursuit of growth-based models, the survey suggested.

"As the world faces the triple crunch of deep financial crisis, accelerating climate change and the looming peak in oil production, we desperately need a new compass to guide us," said Nic Marks, founder of the foundation’s center for well-being. Marks urged nations to make a collective global change before "our high-consuming lifestyles plunge us into the chaos of irreversible climate change."

For those of you already living in Costa Rica, this is not news. For years business people have been touting Costa Rica as a ecological tranquil paradise. Eventually, people began to take notice and booked trips to Costa Rica learning first hand what all the fuss is about. As a result, many visitors become investors in the booming real estate industry. Buying a Costa Rica property has great benefits for your health according to this study and if you do it right, your pocketbook will benefit as well. With tourism increasing each year, vacation condo rentals are a way for Costa Rica condo owners to earn rental revenue on their investment. Add this to the low cost of living in Costa Rica, you have a ideal location for a vacation home, retirement, or for relocation.

If you have not yet experienced Costa Rica for yourself, contact us today and let us help you plan a trip to experience the Costa Rican lifestyle. Or, if you are interested in learning how to purchase a condominium or beach home as a vacation home and/or as an investment to earn rental revenue, please call Lisle Head at 866-403-1345 Lisle can discuss your options with you and help maximize your investment! Coldwell Banker Jaco prides itself on its integrity and its track record of success. Take a look at our Costa Rica Real Estate Testimonials section, to read what other people experienced with us.

You can find the original CNN article here