We’ve been in a bit of a funk over the last few years, if the 2019 World Happiness Report is anything to go by, after dropping from 35th most happy country, to an unfortunate spot at number 80.
One hundred and fifty-six countries were polled, taking in data collected between 2016 and 2018 — the move 45 places down the ranking is compared to the 2018 report that covered the time between 2015 and 2017.
While we were once the second happiest country in Southeast Asia, we’re now fourth, perpetually behind our neighbor, Singapore (34), and also Thailand (52) and The Philippines (69).
If you’re wondering where the happiest places are – spoiler alert: They’ve not got the greatest weather. You can’t have it all, kids.
Finland came in as the happiest, with Denmark, Norway and Iceland, not far behind.
At the bottom? South Sudan, followed by Tanzania, Afghanistan, and the Central African Republic.
This year’s report dealt with happiness and its role within the community, looking at how the concept of contentedness has evolved over the past dozen years, with a focus on how technology, social norms, conflict and government policy has affected change.
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