I think we might do better to concentrate on reducing known indicators of misery [infant mortality, short life expectancy, analfabetism, endemic disease] rather than try to come up with measures of happiness and ways to improve it.

Yes, this is what I meant by

I was initially thinking of a "Misery" index as a "Popperian" tool -- i.e. gradual improvement through the identification and correction of weaknesses and mistakes.

Perhaps as science cannot prove anything to be "true" with finality, but can only reduce falsehoods, we should not necessarily strive to make everyone "happy", but to reduce suffering.  And give everyone as much opportunity as possible to create their own "happiness".

Point n'est besoin d'espérer pour entreprendre, ni de réussir pour persévérer. - Charles le Téméraire