Pori residents reject happiness survey that puts city last

Pori residents have rejected the results of a happiness survey that ranked the city last among Finland’s largest municipalities, Yle reports. The survey was commissioned by Municipal Finance, but its reliability has been questioned because of the small sample sizes.

The survey found that people in South Ostrobothnia were the happiest in Finland, while residents of Pori were the least happy. Espoo ranked highest among the large cities.

Overall, the differences in reported happiness were small. The survey included 76 respondents from Satakunta, including 34 from Pori, while 48 people responded from South Ostrobothnia.

The results have particularly surprised people in Pori because the city ranked among the leaders in happiness indicators in a 2014 study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

Elina Tuominen, speaking from her 94 years of experience, disagreed with the latest findings.

“I think everything is fine here. Or is it that everything is fine for me?” she said.

Pori resident Elias Sinervo said the city’s sarcastic humour should not be interpreted as unhappiness.

“Your mind and state of mind create reality. If you lead with frustration, of course you focus on it. But Pori-style mockery is delivered with a twinkle in the eye and is also a way of showing that you care,” he said.

Sinervo praised Pori’s natural surroundings, including Yyteri, and said it was a major advantage that services were located close to one another in the city.

In Seinäjoki, residents offered several explanations for South Ostrobothnia’s high ranking. Leila Rajala said the region had an honest atmosphere in which people addressed problems and felt they could influence matters.

Marja-Terttu Kurunsaari said Seinäjoki offered enough services without the disadvantages of a large metropolitan area. She also described the city’s community as strong, saying people had roots there and that there was something for everyone without excessive urbanisation.