UN's List of World's Happiest Countries

The report also suggested that it is not just wealth that makes people happy. Political freedom, strong social networks and an absence of corruption are together more important than income in explaining well-being differences between the top and bottom countries. On the individual level, good mental and physical health, someone to count on, job security and stable families are considered essential.

The other findings from the report were that happier countries tend to be richer countries. It was also noted that over time as living standards have risen, happiness has increased in some countries, but not in others (like the United States). On an average, the world has become a little happier in the last 30 years (by 0.14 times the standard deviation of happiness around the world).

It was noted that unemployment caused as much unhappiness as bereavement or separation and at work, job security and good relationships do more for job satisfaction than high pay and convenient hours.

It was seen that behaving well makes people happier. Mental health is the biggest single factor affecting happiness in any country and yet only a quarter of mentally ill people get treatment for their condition in advanced countries and fewer in poorer countries.

Stable family life and enduring marriages were considered important for the happiness of parents and children. In advanced countries, women were noted to be happier than men, while the position in poorer countries was mixed. Happiness was found to be the lowest in middle aged people.

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