Many experts attribute the Nordic region's high levels of happiness to factors such as greater relative national wealth, wellfunctioning institutions, or the welfare state model. Instead, economist Christian Bjornskov argues that the true key to national happiness is social trust - the ability to trust other people one does not know personally.

The populations in three of the five Nordic countries are also characterized by a very strong sense of personal freedom. These two factors contribute to a fuller and richer life. Bjornskov ends by discussing to what extent these elements can be exported to other parts of the world.