List of 10 world’s happiest countries: Finland in top spot again; India among bottom 10

Eastern Mirror Desk

Dimapur, Mar. 21 (EMN): Finland has been named the World’s Happiest Country once again according to the United Nations’ annual World Happiness Report 2020, which was released on March 20. The Nordic country has claimed the top spot for the third year in a row since it was initiated in 2012.

In the list of World Happiness Report 2020, Denmark stood in the second position, after Finland, followed by Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Sweden, New Zealand, Austria and Luxembourg in the top 10.

India is in the bottom 10 of the world happiness list, only ahead of Afghanistan (unhappiest country), South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Tanzania, Botswana, Yemen, and Malawi. Ranked 144 among the 153 countries considered for the ranking, India has slipped four spots. The country was ranked 140 in 2019 report.

India’s neighbouring countries, Nepal is ranked 15; Pakistan, 29; Bangladesh, 107; Sri Lanka, 130; and Myanmar 133.

Those countries which were adversely affected by violence and extreme poverty lies at the bottom of the list. Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe were among those classified as the least happy countries.

“This year the World Happiness Report focuses especially on the environment – social, urban, and natural,” the report read.

The survey which was carried out between 2017 and 2019 also ranked happiest cities across the world. “This report marks the first time that we have looked at the happiness of city life across the world, both comparing cities with other cities and looking at how happy city dwellers are, on average, compared to others living in the same country,” the report read.

Among 186 cities surveyed, Helsinki in Finland has been ranked on top, followed by Aarhus — Denmark, Wellington — New Zealand, Zurich — Switzerland, Copenhagen — Denmark,  Bergen — Norway, Oslo — Norway, Tel Aviv — Israel, Stockholm — Sweden, and  Brisbane — Australia.

India’s capital city Delhi is among the unhappiest cities in the world, standing at 180th position, which is bottom seven in the list. Afghanistan’s capital Kabul is in the bottom, followed by Sanaa — Yemen,  Gaza — Palestine,  Port-au-Prince, Juba — South Sudan,  Dar es Salaam — Tanzania,  Delhi — India, Maseru — Lesotho,  Bangui — CAR, and Cairo — Egypt.

Top 10 world’s happiest countries

1. Finland 2. Denmark

3. Switzerland 4. Iceland

5. Norway 6. Netherlands

7. Sweden 8. New Zealand

9. Austria 10. Luxembourg

10 world’s unhappiest countries

1. Afghanistan 2. South Sudan

3. Zimbabwe 4. Rwanda

5. Central African Republic 6. Tanzania

7. Botswana 8. Yemen

9. Malawi 10. India