List of happiest countries released

A new international report from economists ranks world countries on happiness.

The rankings are based on income and life expectancy figures, along with how people rate social support, personal freedom, corruption and generosity. Together it is used to generate a happiness score from 1 to 10. The United States ranks 14th with a 6.99.

A global happiness report has made Norway’s foreign minister, well, happy.

Norway jumped to top spot in the World Happiness Report despite the plummeting price of oil- a key part of its economy – but researchers said it’s the “human things” that matter, such as a feeling of community which is strong in the Scandinavian country of 5 million.

Reacting to the news Monday, Foreign Minister Borge Brende tweeted: “A good start on a Monday mrn: Norway the world’s happiest country in a new report that calls on nations to build social trust and equality.”

In the report on 155 countries, Denmark fell to second, followed by Iceland, Switzerland and Finland.

HAPPIEST COUNTRIES

1. Norway 7.54

2. Denmark 7.52

3. Iceland 7.5

4. Switzerland 7.49

5. Finland 7.47

6. Netherlands 7.38

7. Canada 7.32

8. New Zealand 7.32

9. Australia 7.28

10. Sweden 7.28

14. United States 6.99

SADDEST COUNTRIES

146. Yemen 3.59

147. South Sudan 3.59

148. Liberia 3.53

149. Guinea 3.51

150. Togo 3.49

151. Rwanda 3.47

152. Syria 3.46

153. Tanzania 3.35

154. Burundi 2.91

155. Central African Republic 2.69