World Happines Index: Small and poor countries rank highest.

I'm not sure how accurate that is. You have to remember other factors like (for example) in the US the average person works a lot more hours than people from many other countries. A lot of work can mean more stress.

Also luxuries; in a place where it's the norm to have luxuries like high quality meat and fresh vegetables to eat every night, people are less likely to be thankful (and thus happy) for basic things.

I agree with you up to a point and it is only one survey.

However, it does seem to indicate that wealth and power are not necessarily the be all and end all for life satisfaction.

This doesn't surprise me at all.

It does however make me a bit sad...or sadder I guess.

You see Trinity :
Keep GLP small and poor and will be the happiest site on internet.