Denmark the “Happiest Country” and Burundi the “Least Happy”

Wealth and weather may not influence happiness as much as many may assume, and inequality contributes to unhappiness. The UN's Sustainable Development Solutions Network ranked 156 countries by analyzing surveys in which people are asked to evaluate their lives on a scale of 1 to 10 and measurements of GDP per capita, social supports, health and life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity and freedom from corruption. Countries with strong social security systems including Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Finland top the list, reports BBC News, adding that the US ranked 13th, UK 23rd, China 83rd and India 118th. “Northern America, Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe were the happiest regions overall. South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa were the only regions where the average rating for wellbeing was less than five out of 10.” The UN report suggests that “Targeting the non-material sources of well-being, which is encouraged by considering a broader measure of well-being, opens possibilities for increasing happiness while simultaneously reducing stress on scarce material resources.” – YaleGlobal