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 science writer, presenter and performer. Her work has appeared in the likes of Nature, The Guardian and New Scientist and she’s authored several books including and Bring Back the King, the new science of de-extinction. Helen specialises in stories that involve biology, medicine and ecology and she has a PHD in cell biology.
