The National Happiness Survey conducted by NN-UGent shows that the happiest people amongst the working population are the self-employed. This survey also shows that financial satisfaction is the most important factor for achieving happiness. The top five factors that have the greatest influence on our happiness are further supplemented by peace of mind, health, whether we lead a meaningful life, and the quality of our sleep. 

NN Group conducted an international survey in 11 countries to understand how people view and prepare for a long, healthy and happy life. In Belgium, this survey shows that 53% of the self-employed feel well prepared for a long life. This percentage is higher than amongst wage-earners (42%).  

For self-employed people aged 45 and over, maintaining cognitive health (77%) and financial security (76%) until the end of their life are rated as very important for growing old successfully. Other priorities include maintaining independence (70%), freedom from chronic illness (67%), physical fitness and strength (66%) and mental wellbeing (63%). Wage-earners have similar preferences, but the biggest difference between the two groups is the importance of cognitive health: 77% of the self-employed attach more value to this than wage-earners, where the percentage is 66%.