The National Happiness Index dipped from 62.9 per cent in June to 62.6 per cent in July, according to a recent survey by Banka magazine, the Hendal agency, and the Allianz insurance company.
The index consists of the average of nine components which show quality of life and the subjective perception of individual aspects of one's life.
Data for July show the highest month-on-month decline in the estimate of happiness with one's life in the next two years, from 59 to 56.8 per cent, and in happiness with the current living conditions, from 53.7 to 52.7 per cent.
In July, respondents were happier with personal development and the social environment, up 0.6 per cent on the month, with healthy behaviour (up 0.9%), the work and school environment (up 2%), and with the approach to basic needs (up 2.2%).
The index's health component shows that over the last six months Croatians felt physically fitter despite the economic crisis.
Since the index was first measured in February, the subjective perception of one's health has been better and better and is the main reason why the index's general trend remains positive. The index has remained above 60 points and the health component has been rising to 82 points, according to analysts.
The residents of the Istria, Gorski Kotar, Primorje, Lika, Kordun, and Banija regions are happiest with their health, while the residents of north Croatia, specifically of Krapina-Zagorje, Varazdin, Koprivnica-Krizevci, Bjelovar-Bilogora and Medjimurje counties, have the worst opinion of their health. The residents of Lika, Kordun and Banija also have the least sick leave days.
The National Happiness Index covers 750 citizens above the age of 15.
