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Palma.—Forty percenet of people in the Balearics, says the Institute, put their health as a first consideration for happiness, followed by work (26%) and family (16%).

Even before the crisis set in, claimed the survey, health had been a top priority for 46 percent of people in the Balearics but family had come in second place (16%) and employment was third on the list (14%).

A “good year” Although the Islands, along with the rest of Spain has suffered three years of economic crisis, 38 percent of people taking part in the Coca-Cola research said that 2011 had been a “good” or “very good” year for them, and 18 percent even said that this year they had been happier than ever.

Asked about what were their happiest moments this year, 16 percent of interviewees in the Balearics said that work opportunities had provided their brightest moments and in second place were memories of holidays with families, partners or friends.

Asked with whom they had shared their happiest moments this year, 46 percent said with their families, 30 percent said the happiest times had been with their partners and 10 percent with friends.

It would seem from the Institute's research that people in the Islands are at their happiest during the summer months, with 14 percent specifying August as the time when they were most content and 12 percent singling out June, July and September.

When researchers asked survey participants what had been the best news they had received in 2011, 20 percent said that the “definite” announcement by the terrorist group ETA that they were to lay down their arms took first place. The removal of the threat of violence was of paramount importance for the happiness of this group of people.

Apparently, the footballer Leo Messi is the famous face who most connects the Balearic Islands with personal happiness, followed by the world tennis star Rafa Nadal. Nadal is a native of Manacor and owns property in Ibiza.