Mumbai: According to the May wave of the Ipsos IndiaBus Happiness Monitor, happiness quotient has seen a minor drop of one per cent among urban Indian citizens. Though overall, 72 per cent Indian citizens claim to be happy. Happiness is bolstered largely by family (75 per cent), health (67 per cent), friends’ circle (66 per cent) and neighbours (59 per cent) – all have seen an uptick - and by economic or financial condition (54 per cent), situation of the country (51 per cent) and situation of the world (46 per cent). Though employment or work (61 per cent) and colleagues/ business associates (60 per cent) were impacting the happiness levels as happiness around them had lowered over the previous month.

Commenting on the findings of the survey, Ipsos India country service line leader - public affairs & corporate reputation Parijat Chakraborty said, "Despite a minor decline in happiness levels, urban Indians largely remain upbeat and happy, shows our monthly IndiaBus Happiness Monitor which is a pan India exercise and gauges happiness levels of urban citizens in 16 cities and across demographics to provide a more realistic picture. Interestingly, close family ties, robust health, friends’ circle and neighbours are the biggest contributing factors to happiness. Some of the macro factors like economic conditions, situation in the country and the world, also have a bearing on happiness. But among those working, happiness around work and happiness around colleagues has seen a slight dip, though they continue to be big contributors to happiness. What could be ratcheting down happiness around work and colleagues could be the expectation to work from office now, or less job opportunities to switch or not satisfactory salary increases."

"Ipsos happiness monitor, month on month depicts how happy citizens are with different aspects of their life and what is driving happiness up and down on a monthly basis, highlighting the areas which need to be addressed. Happy citizens equals good governance," added Chakraborty.