> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://arda-index.gitbook.io/arda-taking-crypto-beyond-economics/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://arda-index.gitbook.io/arda-taking-crypto-beyond-economics/mechanisms/the-arda-index/happiness.md).

# Happiness

The happiness input to the Arda Index is the [<mark style="color:green;">**World Happiness Report**</mark>](https://worldhappiness.report/) published by the United Nations' [<mark style="color:green;">**Sustainable Development Solutions Network**</mark>](https://www.unsdsn.org/). The data comes primarily from responses to the annual Gallup World Poll, specifically answers to the main life evaluation question.&#x20;

The question asks respondents to think of a ladder, with the best possible life for them being a 10 and the worst possible life being a 0. They are then asked to rate their own current lives on that 0 to 10 scale.&#x20;

Those who rate their current life a 7 or higher and their anticipated life in five years an 8 or higher are considered to be "thriving". Those who rate their current life and anticipated life in five years a 4 or lower are classified as "suffering." Those who are neither suffering nor thriving are considered "struggling."

The data shows the estimated extent to which each of six factors: levels of GDP, life expectancy ([Health & Nutrition](/arda-taking-crypto-beyond-economics/mechanisms/the-arda-index/health-and-nutrition.md)), generosity, social support ([Social Cohesion](/arda-taking-crypto-beyond-economics/mechanisms/the-arda-index/social-cohesion.md)), [Freedom](/arda-taking-crypto-beyond-economics/mechanisms/the-arda-index/freedom.md), and corruption is estimated to contribute to making life evaluations higher in each country than in Dystopia. Dystopia is a hypothetical country with values equal to the world’s lowest national averages for each of the six factors.