As ‘International Day of Happiness’ nears, U.S. drops to 18th place

by WorldTribune Staff, March 16, 2018

Can someone get the UN a Fast Pass to Disney World?

It seems the world body believes that Finland is the happiest place on Earth.

Finland tops the UN’s 2018 World Happiness rankings. / AP

According to the UN’s 2018 World Happiness report released on March 14, Finland is the world’s happiest country. The Nordic nation of 5.5 million people headed up the 156-country ranking, followed by last year’s winner Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Switzerland.

The United States is 18th and the United Kingdom 19th.

The U.S. dropped four places compared to last year’s report.

“The U.S. happiness ranking is falling, in part because of the ongoing epidemics of obesity, substance abuse, and untreated depression,” said Jeffrey D. Sachs, a co-editor of the report.

“Governments are increasingly using indicators of happiness to inform their policy-making decisions,” he added. “U.S. policymakers should take note.”

The annual report was released ahead of the International Day of Happiness on March 20.

The UN says the results are based on six key factors found to support well-being – income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust, and generosity.

Burundi is the least content country, according to the UN.

This week, Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza changed his title from “eternal supreme guide” to “visionary.”


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