National Happiness Index: Three fifths of Croats can't see any future

As many as 60% of the Croatians cannot see any future for themselves and for their families, and 75% of those polled do not believe that political parties work to the benefit of citizens, however the findings of an opinion poll conducted among 600 Croatians in April and May show that they are relatively happy.

The survey regarding the National Happiness Index was conducted by the Banka magazine, the Hendal market research agency and the Allianz international financial services provider and its findings were presented this past Wednesday.

A part of the survey shows that although the Croatians do not believe the state, those in power and political parties, they believe people in their working and private lives.

The confidence of Croatians in the state has been on the decline since last year, while confidence in political parties has been falling for years.

On the scale from 1 to 5, the respondents gave the low 2.36 rating for the satisfaction with the government's performance.

As many as 64% of those polled express utter dissatisfaction with the developments in Croatia regarding possibilities for a decent life, and 65% of those polled are completely dissatisfied with how the government manages the country's natural resources.

However, this year's National Happiness Index is near the 65 ratings, and levels above 50 ratings are zones of contentment and happiness and below of levels of unhappiness.

The happiest respondents are aged between 15 and 24 and come from Zagreb and major Dalmatian cities, while the unhappiest are the jobless, pensioners and housewives aged above 55 who live in the central areas of Lika, Kordun and Banija and in the eastern area of Slavonia and have low education. (Hina)