The study also found that women are 5% happier than men, 64% of women confirmed they were truly happy while only 59% of men did. Both men and women agreed that the birth of their first child was the happiest event in their life, followed by meeting their partner and their wedding day.
10 Happiest Events in Life:
Women
First Child (32%)
Meeting partner (13%)
Wedding day (12%)
Buying first house (6%)
Passing driving test (5%)
Graduating from University (4.9%)
Last day of school (4.2%)
Winning competition prize (2.9%)
Getting dream job (2.6%)
First Car (2.4%)
Men
First child (20%)
Meeting partner (13%)
Wedding day (12%)
Passing driving test (8%)
Sport team victory (7%)
Last day of school (6%)
First car (5.7%)
First house (4.8%)
Graduating from University (4.5%)
Wining competition prize (3.4%)
The findings also show that men are happiest between 6pm and 7pm while women are happiest an hour later between 8pm and 9pm. As mornings are often stressful, it is perhaps not surprising that, both men and women are their unhappiest between 7am and 8am.
The research highlights that for both genders the best things in life are free; these being related to family and personal relationships, followed by personal achievements that sometimes lead to prized possessions such as a first car or house.
John Barker, Head of smile comments, "The research shows that there are many things in life which make us happy, we understand that the best things in life are free, but we also understand the value of financial security, that's why our ethical approach to banking and excellent customer service are now more important than ever".
He continues, "We have seen a 123% annual increase* in customers switching their current accounts to both smile and The Co-operative Bank as they look for a secure organisation they can trust. Customers are now no longer prepared to stay loyal to their existing bank, if they are frustrated with the service or have concerns about the security or values of the institution".
Source: The Co-operative Bank
