Compared to last year, Ireland is a slightly unhappier place than it was, according to the UN anyway.
While Ireland is still one of the happiest countries in the world, we have slipped a bit in the happiness rankings, according to the UN.
The second annual World Happiness Report was published by the UN today and the study shows that we have slipped out of the Top 10 to 18. The reason for this may well be that last year’s report included some data from the 2006 to 2011 period, which was pre-boom and much more upbeat. This year’s ranking uses a slightly reduced number of those reports though we reckon Euro 2012, BOD being dropped on the Lions Tour and the removal of a finger from the pink snack bar probably had a large part to play too.
Still, we rank ahead of the UK (22) and we’re just behind the US who are in 17th spot.
The report, which has a serious use as it tries to evaluate a nation’s well being in a measure other than solely crude economic terms like GDP, uses a wide range of data. The six measures, which are calculated using a wide range of surveys and reports are:
- GDP per capita.
- Life expectancy.
- Perceived national corruption.
- Freedom to make life choices.
- Generosity of fellow citizens.
- Having someone to rely on in times of trouble.
Ireland does very well on the generosity measure, which won’t be much of a surprise to any of us, while our social support is also strong.
Top of the pile for the second year in a row is Denmark, followed by Norway and Switzerland. In fact, all the top 10 are European, bar Canada in sixth and Australia in 10.
The unhappiest country, according to this measure, is Togo.
You can read and download the full report here.
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