Can you guess where the happiest country in the world is? We’d forgive you for answering Australia. Sadly we are not the happy owners of this title according to this year’s World Happiness Report.
It’s not all bad news though. Such as our neighbours across the ditch, we did make the top 10. First published in 2012, the report reviews the state of happiness in the world today, reflecting a new worldwide demand for more focus on happiness as a criteria for government policy.
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network which publishes the report, measures happiness using a variety of factors, including, GDP per capita, social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, perception of corruption, generosity, and the all-encompassing everything else.
Of the 158 countries ranked, Switzerland took out the title of the happiest country in the world. While, sadly our Kiwi rivals snuck in above us in ninth place, we were still happy to slide into the top ten ahead of 148 other countries.
According to the report, the top 10 happiest countries in the world are:
- Switzerland
- Iceland
- Denmark
- Norway
- Canada
- Finland
- Netherlands
- Sweden
- New Zealand
- Australia
You’ll notice the United States didn’t make the top 10 – it ranks at 15th. Britain came in 21st and China was 84th. The least happy countries in the world were Rwanda, Benin, Syria, Burundi and Togo.
Our ranking is further proof that our anthem is accurate when it says Australians all let us rejoice for we are young and free.
You can see the full list and learn more at World Happiness Report.