The World Health Organization (WHO)

A new study has found that better health and a good partner make people's lives happier than doubling their income.

 In this research of the London School of Economics, the different situations that were created on the lives of two hundred thousand people were examined.

 It found that depression or anxiety disorders had the greatest impact on people's happiness, when the happiness was greatest because of a good spouse.

 Munsif, a participant in the research, says that this discovery reveals a new role of the state.

 The research is based on several international surveys of public opinion conducted around the world.

 The scientists found that doubling income raised happiness by only about 0.2 points on a scale of one to ten.

 According to research, this is because people are more aware of how their income compares to others than the effect their income has on themselves.

 However, finding a good spouse increases happiness by 0.6 points, while the death or separation of a spouse decreases it by the same amount.

 However, the most negative impact on this scale comes from depression and anxiety disorders, which drop happiness by 0.7 points. Similarly, unemployment also decreases by the same amount.

 Professor Richard Laird, co-author of the research, said it showed the state needed to play a new role in the happiness of its citizens, and that it should focus on creating happiness rather than wealth.

 He said: 'Evidence shows that the things that contribute most to our happiness and unhappiness are our social relationships and our mental and physical health.

 In the past, the state has been fighting against problems like poverty, unemployment, education and physical health. But domestic violence, excessive drinking, depression and anxiety, exam pressure, etc. are equally important. They need to be given central importance.