How happy are Belgians and where are they most optimistic? These questions were the focus of a nationwide "Happiness Survey" which reveals that people living in towns are generally happier than city dwellers. The notable exception is Brussels, which is the happiest region in the country.
In collaboration with insurance company NN, researchers at the University of Ghent (UGent) surveyed how content Belgians are and what makes them happy. The average happiness score in the country is 6.58. This is once again lower than before the Covid-19 pandemic (6.73 in February 2020). Whereas five years ago 40% of Belgians still felt very happy, this has now dropped to 35%.
However, the feeling of happiness differs significantly depending on where the surveyed people live. Residents of the Brussels Capital Region score highest with an average happiness score of 6.95 on the Cantril ladder method asking people to evaluate their lives on a ladder from worst (bottom) to best (top).
"Happiness appears to be not only a personal experience but also a question of environment," UGent's Sara Claes said. "Cities and regions where people feel more connected score higher. The fact that Brussels is now at the top suggests that dynamism and diversity may well form a buffer against the uncertainty of the current climate."
People in Flanders come in second place, giving themselves a score of 6.60 on the Happiness Survey. With an average of 6.42, the Walloons are the least happy.
Big city life?
It is a surprising finding that makes Brussels something of an anomaly in the survey, considering people living in small towns or municipalities (6.65) score higher in terms of happiness than city dwellers (6.42).
The residential environment and the social and cultural composition of the neighbourhood are fundamental to the happiness score, researchers explained. Residents of municipalities are happier both with the residential environment and the social and cultural composition of the neighbourhood than people in cities.
"A green and close-knit living environment affects our sense of happiness," said Claes. "People feel more at home in smaller municipalities, which may have to do with more space, tranquillity and a stronger sense of community." While people in cities benefit from the dynamics and culture, these advantages do not seem to fully compensate for the difference in housing satisfaction.
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Among Belgium's cities, the happiest city centre goes to Hasselt, with a remarkably high score of 7.48. In second place is Mechelen in the province of Antwerp (7.18) followed by Liège (6.89).
At the other end of the spectrum in Flanders is Aalst, in the province of East Flanders, with a score of just 5.50. Only Mons (Wallonia) is less content, with a score of 5.42.
