The scores, which were compiled as part of a Gallup World Poll, are based on individuals’ assessments of their subjective wellbeing. The poll asks respondents to rank their lives, from 0 to 10, with 10 being the best possible life they could have, and 0 being the worst.
Countries at the top of the table have high levels of variables that support wellbeing, such as income, healthy life expectancy, generosity and freedom. With a score of 2.567, Afghanistan is the world’s least happy country.
10. Luxembourg
(7.238)
9. Austria
(7.294)
8.New Zealand
(7.300)
7. Sweden
(7.353)
6. The Netherlands
(7.449)
5. Norway
(7.488)
4. Iceland
(7.504)
3. Switzerland
(7.560)
2. Denmark
(7.646)
1. Finland
(7.809)
Authors
Helen Pilcher is a tea-drinking, biscuit-nibbling science writer, presenter and comedian, who sometimes writes in the third person.
