Find out (and be jealous of) what makes Danes happy, with their top-ranked levels of satisfaction and quality of life, award-winning cuisine and architecture, and joyful focus on hygge.

Success and Hygge

It’s wonderful that the word “fairy tale” can still be used freely about a nation and its cultural artifacts, from its most lasting literary heritage to its textbook castles. Denmark nails it: the country’s traditional aesthetic complements the most blatantly modern architectural and social trends. The country consistently ranks well on surveys measuring happiness and quality of life around the globe. Hygge, a quality peculiar to Denmark that is said to have a significant impact on the Danes’ legendary level of contentment, is easy to come by. To the Danes, hygge is the pinnacle of social perfection, encapsulating everything good about life in the community.

Life satisfaction

While the gap between the haves and have-nots widens in many nations, Denmark seems to be filled by those who “have enough,” with few glaring examples of extreme wealth or poverty. This sense of fairness puts the finest in the arts, architecture, cuisine, and entertainment within everyone’s grasp. In fact, “inclusive” is perhaps the greatest phrase to describe Denmark since everyone, young and old, gay and straight, with or without children, dogs, or bicycles, is welcomed and cared for. The cities are small and easy to navigate, the infrastructure is cutting edge, and getting about is a delight.

Danes and Their Taste for Beauty

Denmark may lack the jaw-dropping natural splendor of its neighbors, but the country’s landscapes make up for this with their simplicity and purity, often bathed in a mystical Nordic light. Landscapes like this inspire the Danish aesthetic, which can be seen in the country’s clothing, cuisine, furniture, and art. Form and function should be kept as simple as possible, but aesthetics should never be sacrificed. A long sandy beach, a quiet lake, a Renaissance castle, the bike paths of Bornholm, or a cozy café where the art of hygge has been honed are all places where you could experience the genuine beauty of Denmark famous for.

Historically Significant Effects

More than a thousand years ago, Danish Vikings took to the seas and destroyed wide swaths of Europe, bringing the country to international attention. Oh, how times have changed. Now more than ever, Denmark is an example of a modern and civilized culture worldwide. The country excels in many areas, including politics, urban planning, sustainability, work-life balance, design, and architecture. Popular trends recently swept the world and made their way out of Copenhagen include the New Nordic cuisine movement, city cycling, and very captivating television drama series.