DigitalVision/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — The World Happiness Report is out and subjective well-being in America is not good.
Norway leads the way in happiness and Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland and Finland follow; then comes the Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Sweden.
The U.S. didn’t even make the top 10: we came in at 14 out of 155 countries. The Central African Republic came in last.
According to the report, six variables are used to measure happiness: income, life expectancy, having someone to count on in times of trouble, generosity, freedom and trust. Trust is measured by the absence of corruption in business and government. Declining social support and increased corruption are significant contributing factors to our misery.
Why is there a happiness report? Some experts say that it is an excellent way to measure a nation’s progress and that social well-being drives better public policy.
People in the U.S. may not feel like going outside today.
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