The exact salary scientists say you need to earn to be truly happy

“Money doesn’t buy happiness,” the saying goes. But how much truth is there to it? For centuries, philosophers, economists and psychologists have wrestled with the link between wealth and well-being. Modern research suggests there is indeed a correlation—and even attempts to put a price tag on happiness.

The income level that maximises happiness

A recent international study spanning nearly 20 countries, including France, Luxembourg, Sweden and Italy, tried to identify the sweet spot. The researchers concluded that the ideal salary for happiness sits at around €70,000 per year, which works out to about €5,800 per month after tax.

The reasoning is simple: having too little money creates stress and hardship, while having too much can also erode happiness. People earning well above that threshold—say, €75,000 or more—often report being less content, not because of the money itself but because such high-paying jobs tend to come with intense stress, long hours and little free time.

Why money contributes to happiness

It’s not cash itself that sparks joy, but what it enables. In today’s world, money provides access to the very foundations of well-being: independence, security and health.

Financial independence gives people the freedom to live on their own terms, while money spent on health ensures a longer and more fulfilling life. As German author and researcher Rainer Zitelmann points out, money is a tool for personal fulfilment—a means to freedom and better living conditions rather than an end in itself.

Freedom and health come at a price

True liberty, even in democratic societies, is rarely free. Consider the concept of bail: the ability to walk out of prison while awaiting trial often depends on financial means. Similarly, while Europe’s healthcare systems are among the strongest in the world, maintaining good health still carries hidden costs, from dental care to specialist treatments.

As the German philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once remarked: “To be healthy without wealth is to be only half healthy.” His point underscores the uncomfortable reality that financial resources and health are deeply intertwined.

The bottom line

Happiness cannot be reduced to numbers alone—it depends on relationships, purpose and personal outlook. But research consistently suggests that around €70,000 a year is the income level at which most people feel secure enough to enjoy life without being overwhelmed by the pressures of work.

In short, money may not guarantee happiness, but it does buy freedom, health, and the peace of mind that allows happiness to flourish. Beyond that point, more money doesn’t necessarily add more joy—it may even take some away.