14 Perspectives on Happiness from Different Cultures

14 Perspectives on Happiness from Different Cultures (And What We Can Learn)

What does it mean to be happy?

Ask ten people and you’ll get ten different answers. In fact, every culture has its own definition of happiness—shaped by history, philosophy, environment, and values. Some see it in quiet moments of comfort, others in spiritual enlightenment, and others still in service to family or community.

Happiness, it turns out, isn’t one universal formula—it’s a cultural obsession, endlessly redefined.

Here are 14 fascinating perspectives on happiness from around the world, each offering a lens on how humans everywhere chase the same elusive feeling.

📜 The 14 Perspectives

1. Ikigai (Japan)
Happiness comes from having a purpose—the reason you get out of bed in the morning. A mix of passion, mission, profession, and vocation.

2. Hygge (Denmark)
The cozy feeling of warmth, comfort, and connection—like sharing hot drinks with friends on a cold night.

3. Ubuntu (South Africa)
“I am because we are.” Happiness is rooted in human connection, empathy, and belonging to a community.

4. Sisu (Finland)
Not comfort, but resilience. True happiness comes from inner strength—overcoming struggles and enduring hardship with dignity.

5. Saudade (Portugal/Brazil)
A bittersweet kind of happiness—joy mixed with longing for something absent or past. Beauty found in nostalgia.

6. Gross National Happiness (Bhutan)
A country-wide philosophy that prioritizes spiritual and social well-being over material wealth as the measure of success.

7. Wu Wei (China, Taoism)
Happiness arises from harmony—living effortlessly in flow with nature, instead of forcing control.

8. Jugaad (India)
The joy of creative problem-solving and making the most of limited resources. A form of happiness born from ingenuity.

9. Lagom (Sweden)
Balance is bliss. Not too much, not too little—just enough. Happiness means moderation and sustainability.

10. Buen Vivir (Andean Indigenous Philosophy)
“Good living” is harmony with community and the environment, not individual accumulation.

11. Han (Korea)
A cultural acceptance that life includes sorrow and endurance—happiness exists alongside suffering, not in its denial.

12. Joie de Vivre (France)
The joy of living—pleasure found in everyday moments, from good food to lively conversation.

13. Taqwa (Islamic Tradition)
Spiritual happiness through mindfulness of God, humility, and living a moral life in alignment with higher purpose.

14. Pura Vida (Costa Rica)
Literally “pure life.” A national motto celebrating simplicity, gratitude, and living fully in the present moment.

💡 Obsession Relevance

Humans everywhere are obsessed with happiness—but what we chase is shaped by culture. Some pursue resilience, some comfort, some spirituality. Obsession with happiness is universal, yet endlessly diverse.

🌍 Real-Life Example

In Bhutan, policies aren’t just judged by economics but by whether they increase citizens’ Gross National Happiness. Schools teach meditation, villages prioritize community rituals, and the national obsession is not GDP, but joy.

💬 Conclusion 

Happiness isn’t just a feeling—it’s a cultural story. From Japan’s ikigai to Costa Rica’s pura vida, each tradition reminds us there are countless ways to find meaning and joy.

👉 Which of these perspectives on happiness resonates most with you? Or do you have your own culture’s wisdom to share? Let’s compare notes in the comments.

Which of these surprised you the most? Share your thoughts below and don’t forget to pass this along to someone who’d find it useful!

→ Explore: All Obsession Categories
→ Submit your obsession story , take the Obsession Quiz

Related Stories