THE economy is plummeting, the planet could burn to a crisp, and war
has just broken out - again. Believe it or not though, people around
the globe are happier today on average than they were 25 years ago.
The secret seems to be a combination of rising economic prosperity,
democracy and social liberalisation.

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/being-human/mg19926714.100-why-the-world-is-\
a-happier-place.html