Cat density linked to higher national happiness in 93-country study

A study published in the journal PLOS One, conducted by researchers from the University of Latvia and the University of Turku, has identified a correlation between cat density and national happiness levels across 93 countries.

The research analyzed the relationship between happiness indices, the number of cats per 10,000 people, and the prevalence of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The findings indicate that countries with a higher density of cats tend to report higher levels of happiness. Conversely, countries with higher rates of recent Toxoplasma gondii infection reported lower happiness levels.

While economic factors such as GDP per capita and income levels showed the strongest correlation with happiness, the researchers noted that cat density and Toxoplasma infection rates remained significant factors even when controlling for wealth and healthcare spending. The study suggests that biological and ecological conditions, alongside socioeconomic ones, may influence a population's well-being.

Researchers cautioned that these are national-level correlations and do not prove that owning a cat directly causes happiness. They also noted that higher cat density often coincided with higher national wealth, which is a primary driver of happiness.