In most countries, the average worker still earns less than the income researchers associate with peak reported well-being.
Research on income and well-being has identified a “satiation point,” an income level beyond which additional earnings no longer improve reported happiness. But how close does the average worker come to reaching that threshold?
An analysis from Remitly calculated the price of happiness in economies around the world and compared it with average local wages.
This graphic, via Visual Capitalist's Niccolo Conte, ranks the 50 countries where average annual income comes closest to that threshold.
The analysis is based on Purdue University‘s income satiation research and data from the International Labour Organization, adjusted for purchasing power, inflation, and currency exchange rates.
Slovenia Is the Only Country Where Wages Exceed the Threshold
Slovenia stands alone among the 50 countries analyzed. Its average wage of $42,800 is 16.3% higher than its estimated price of happiness of $36,800, meaning the typical worker earns more than the income associated with peak reported well-being.
No other country crosses that line. Luxembourg comes closest, with wages covering 92.8% of its $118,400 happiness threshold, followed by Estonia (90.5%), Si
