The latest report on the world's happiest places to live says people in Nordic countries with high-quality social welfare and education are most satisfied with their lives. Japan came in 58th place, down four from last year.
The World Happiness Report, produced by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, ranks 156 countries and territories by how happy their citizens consider themselves to be. The annual study is also based on factors such as per capita gross domestic product, life expectancy and social freedom.
Finland topped the list, released on Wednesday, for a second straight year. Denmark came in second, followed by Norway in third place. The UK placed 15th, with the United States in 19th position. Japan was the lowest among the G7 nations. In Asia, it ranked lower than 25th-placed Taiwan, 34th-ranked Singapore and South Korea, which came in 54th.
Japan ranked highly in terms of the number of years people can live in good health, but got low marks for social freedom and generosity.
In 156th place, South Sudan was the least happy place to live. A peace treaty was finally concluded last August after many years of conflict in the country.
NHK
