Denmark is no longer the happiest country in the world while Bangladesh is on number 11.
Actually, the Danes are far from being happy, according to a new global happiness measurement, the Happy Planet Index (HPI). Instead, Costa Ricans are now the merriest in a list of 151 countries.
“The Happy Planet Index measures what really matters — long and happy lives now and the potential for good lives in the future,” said Nic Marks, creator of the index, in a press release.
Despite scoring high in life expectancy and overall well-being, the Scandinavian country is also home to some of the biggest ecological footprint producers on the planet.
The U.K. settled at 41st, ahead of all other G8 nations. The U.S. came in 105th. With poor performance in all three criteria, Botswana was named the saddest country in the world.
Happiest countries on the planet (score):
1. Costa Rica (64.0)
2. Vietnam (60.4)
3. Colombia (59.8)
4. Belize (59.3)
5. El Salvador (58.9)
6. Jamaica (58.5)
7. Panama (57.8)
8. Nicaragua (57.1)
9. Venezuela (56.9)
10. Guatemala (56.9)
11. Bangladesh (56.3)
Saddest countries on the planet:
144. Mongolia (26.8)
146. Bahrain (26.6)
147. Mali (26.0)
148. Central African Republic (25.3)
149. Qatar (25.2)
150. Chad (24.7)
151. Botswana (22.6)
Source: Happy Planet Index, New Economics Foundation
