The chart compares salaries of workers employed in 5 different sectors in 2009, measured in pounds.

Overall, salary levels varied widely across sectors, with Finance being the one where workers outearned their counterparts in any other sector at all salary levels. This was a clear contrast to Hospitality, which offered the lowest maximum and average pay. Similarly, Construction recorded the smallest pay rate at the minimum salary level.

Of all the sectors, Finance stood out as having the highest maximum salary of 8850. This was almost twice as much as that in Transportation, where the figure was at 4580. Even lower salaries were seen in Manufacturing (3500) and Construction (3100), with Hospitality at the lowest end of the spectrum at a low of 2900.

Identical patterns were observed in average salaries. In particular, Finance was the leader at 5225, a figure nearly double that for second-ranked Transportation at 2712. Manufacturing and Construction again trailed notably behind, at 2215 and 1945, and Hospitality ranked last at 1895, substantially less than the amount Finance workers earned.

Minimum salaries, unlike those two, recorded less significant salary gaps. While Finance offered the largest salary of 1600, Manufacturing came next at 930, followed closely by Hospitality at 890. At 843, Transportation was the second lowest in terms of minimum wages, just above Construction's 790, the least amount of money registered in 2009.

The table provides a breakdown of how much tax contributed to GDP in five nations from 1975 to 2005, at 10-year intervals, measured in percentage points.

Overall, tax became a more significant contributor to GDP in all countries over the period, especially Sweden, where it accounted for the largest portion of GDP. This was in contrast to the USA, a country that recorded the least pronounced increase.

Over the time frame between 1975 and 1985, Sweden stood out as the country with the highest tax contribution of 46% and 47% in the respective years. The growth, however, was the least marked in the USA: its percentage had climbed marginally yet gradually from 25.1% to 25.4% by 1985.

While Korea and Japan had nearly identical but comparably low figures, 15.1% and 15%, respectively, in 1975, they saw a rise of varying degrees in 1985; the former reached 27%, whereas the latter witnessed a 1-percent increase. The only country to experience a decline was Turkey, and it fell slightly from 16.4% in 1975 to 15% a decade later.

After a series of increments in tax contribution, all the nations had reached their highest figures by the final year. Sweden peaked at 70.1% (the largest figure on the graph), followed distantly behind by Japan at 32.1%. Unlike these two, the remaining countries recorded substantially smaller gaps between each other, as they went up to almost the same proportion, 27.4%, with Korea lagging behind negligibly.

The lines illustrate how the number of inquiries received by one Tourist Information office changed in a city from January to June in 2011.

Overall, in-person and by-telephone inquiries rose over the months, with the former experiencing by far the steepest rise. This was a clear contrast to inquiries made by letter/email, which followed a downward trajectory.

Starting at the lowest point for January at just over 400, in-person inquiries witnessed uninterrupted and rapid growth during the period. They reached as many as 1,900 requests in June, thus becoming the most popular option and marking an overall, almost five-fold increase.

Unlike these, by-telephone inquiries recorded the largest figure for January at nearly 900. Despite a slight decline in February, this number rose to 1,000 in March and remained unchanged until April, after which there was a significant increase to 1,600 at the end; in comparison to the original figure, this was substantially higher.

The final category, inquiries by email/letter, showed a declining pattern. It initially decreased marginally from just below 800 to around 700 during the first three months, and after that, the fall accelerated, with the final figure at slightly under 400, the fewest number of inquiries across the period. This also translated into a virtual two-fold decrease over the time span.

One of the issues requiring a concerted effort from individuals is to make the entire community happier. Some assume that reduced income gaps between the rich and poor can be the optimal solution. Although I acknowledge such a measure can be of help, I believe there are other, no less important factors, including political stability and equal opportunities, to consider for the happiness of society.

Smaller income gaps can foster social mobility, which is a fundamental pillar of a prosperous and thus happier society. In many nations, people cannot afford to cover their basic needs, from food to clothes, and it is this problem that makes them dissatisfied with their lives. Had they had more financial resources, they would have enjoyed those luxuries, becoming less anxious and concerned about their problems. Having sufficient money also helps with receiving high-quality education, purchasing a luxurious car or building a dream house - long-held goals of many people from which they derive a lot of pleasure.

Without peace, however, being financially well-positioned can barely make anyone happier. Military actions of any sort exert a negative influence on people, since they spread fear and hatred. Ukraine, the Middle East, and similar countries suffering from military conflicts are the pertinent examples. Their citizens are either leaving their homeland for a better life or living the worst life, losing their loved ones almost every day. For this reason, it is important for society to be politically stable.

Beyond these aspects, a community is not likely to thrive when opportunities, whether it be in academic or professional fields, are given to the privileged only. In this case, the underprivileged are bound to face hardships in, for example, landing a well-paid job or attaining a degree. They might then feel isolated from the developed part of the community, given they are not accorded a chance to carve out a promising career. Nor are they given an opportunity to contribute to scientific development, thus highlighting the significance of an even playing field for the happiness of a society.

In conclusion, I admit that minimized income disparities between the wealthiest and poorest members of society are an effective yet not fundamental element of a happier society. Rather, it is just as important as political stability and equal opportunities.