Nothing beats a child's smile when it comes to true happiness

Melbourne, Apr 9 (ANI): Australians derive true happiness by simply looking at their children's smile, according to a new study.

An exclusive survey has found Australians are a happy bunch overall, thanks largely to their children, loving partners and good friends. However, given the chance, 63.1 per cent of more than 1200 respondents said more money might make them even happier - followed by extra holidays and better health, the Daily Telegraph reported.

On a scale from "extremely happy" to "extremely unhappy" 56.8 per cent insisted that their children gave them the most joy, followed by 50.3 per cent who said it was their partners.

Nearly three in five, or 59.3 per cent, ranked spending time with friends highly.

About 14 per cent said their jobs made them "extremely happy" while 7.7 per cent said that getting rid of their boss would improve their mood.

Almost 70 per cent considered themselves happy people but opinions were evenly divided when it came to whether married or unmarried people were happier or which gender was more cheerful.

44 per cent asserted that money could buy happiness, 45 percent said it couldn't and 11.1 per cent were undecided. For 54.4 per cent of people those little bundles of joy are just that, while 45.6 per cent said childless people were happier.

Baby boomers were believed to be the happiest age group.

Landscaper Chris O'Connor travels daily to Sydney from the Central Coast and said happiness was the excitement of seeing his girls Bryanna and one-year-old Caeley when he got home.

"You can have a really crap day, you can be stuck in traffic and when you get home and your little girl comes running down the path so excited to see you, you're over the moon," he said.

"I'm not focussed on material things, I'm focussed on relationships and life," he said.

"I'm content with my humble lifestyle, I'd take being happy and healthy over money any day. Love lots, laugh lots, that's always been my way," he added. (ANI)