Get Happy! UK to survey public on contentment

The British government plans to follow through on Prime Minister David Cameron's campaign pledge to gauge national happiness and use the findings to help shape policy.

Downing Street said Monday that an announcement on the national survey can be expected soon.

British press reports indicate the polling will begin later this month.

Cameron said during his campaign that happiness levels should be studied so that government is not simply relying on economic indicators like gross national product.

The science of happiness has become increasingly popular with economists and social scientists in recent years as surveys suggest contentment levels have no risen in recent decades despite continued economic growth.