Residents of Finland feel the happiest
In the World Happiness Report 2018, prepared for the UN by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), Ukraine ranked 138th, Russia placed 59th, Belarus 73rd, and Kazakhstan 60th. Among the former Soviet republics, Uzbekistan was the happiest, ranking 44th.
To compile the ranking, at least 3,000 people were surveyed in each country. Respondents were asked to rate their quality of life on a 10-point scale, where 0 represents the worst possible level and 10 the best.
In addition to the survey results, the study is also based on data from the Gallup World Poll and takes into account factors such as real GDP per capita, life expectancy, levels of corruption, social freedoms, and a number of other indicators, including positive and negative experiences of respondents.
The ranking was prepared for the International Day of Happiness, which is celebrated annually on March 20. It was established by the UN General Assembly in 2012. The holiday proclaims the idea that the pursuit of well-being is common to all people on the planet. The initiative to establish it came from the Kingdom of Bhutan. The idea was supported without a vote by 193 UN member states.
Top 10 of the UN World Happiness Report 2018:
1) Finland
2) Norway
3) Denmark
4) Iceland
5) Switzerland
6) Netherlands
7) Canada
8) New Zealand
9) Sweden
10) Australia