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The happiest countries in the world

May 30, 2014 08:39 IST
Oktoberfest waitresses dance on the tables while they celebrate the end of the world biggest beer festival.

There is more to a country than the cold GDP numbers and economic statistics. And to understand well-being of a nation, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has come up with a ‘Better Life Index’.

This index allows user to understand how life in a country is improving and in which areas. It also enables users to compare the well-being across countries, based on 11 topics.

The Better Life Index rates the 34 OECD member nations, as well as Brazil and the Russian Federation, on 11 variables that contribute to a high quality of life, including income, education, housing, health, and life satisfaction.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 11 countries with the highest life satisfaction score to find out countries that are happiest.

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The happiest countries in the world

May 30, 2014 08:39 IST
Women smell cherry blossom in the Kungstradgarden park in Stockholm.

Sweden

Rank: 11

Life satisfaction score: 7.4 (tied for 7th)

Self-reported good health: 80 per cent (8th highest)

Employees working long hours: 1.1 per cent (3rd lowest)

Disposable income: $27,546 (11th highest)

Life expectancy: 81.9 years (8th highest)

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The happiest countries in the world

May 30, 2014 08:39 IST
People wave hands as they celebrate the new King Willem-Alexander who succeeds his mother Queen Beatrix, in Amsterdam's Dam Square.

Netherlands

Rank: 10

Life satisfaction score: 7.4 (tied for 7th)

Self-reported good health: 76 per cent (11th highest)

Employees working long hours: 0.6 per cent (2nd lowest)

Disposable income: $25,697 (14th highest)

Life expectancy: 81.3 years (11th highest)

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The happiest countries in the world

May 30, 2014 08:39 IST
Ice skaters are seen on an ice skating rink in Mexico City's historic Zocalo square.

Mexico

Rank: 9

Life satisfaction score: 7.4 (tied for 7th)

Self-reported good health: 66 per cent (14th lowest)

Employees working long hours: 28.8 per cent (2nd highest)

Disposable income: $12,850 (2nd lowest)

Life expectancy: 74.4 years (3rd lowest)

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The happiest countries in the world

May 30, 2014 08:39 IST
A child slides on snow in front of the Santa Claus' Office in Santa Claus' Village on the Arctic Circle near Rovaniemi, northern Finland.

Finland

Rank: 8

Life satisfaction score: 7.4 (tied for 7th)

Self-reported good health: 69 per cent (tied-17th lowest)

Employees working long hours: 3.7 per cent (9th lowest)

Disposable income: $26,904 (12th highest)

Life expectancy: 80.6 years (15th lowest)

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The happiest countries in the world

May 30, 2014 08:39 IST
Race-goers celebrate as they watch jockey Corey Brown ride Shocking to victory in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne.

Australia

Rank: 7

Life satisfaction score: 7.4 (tied for 7th)

Self-reported good health: 85 per cent (4th highest)

Employees working long hours: 14.2 per cent (7th highest)

Disposable income: $31,197 (4th highest)

Life expectancy: 82.0 years (7th highest)

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The happiest countries in the world

May 30, 2014 08:39 IST
Bathers pose for a photo as they swim in the geothermal hot springs at Iceland's Blue Lagoon near Grindavik.

Iceland

Rank: 6

Life satisfaction score: 7.5 (tied for 5th)

Self-reported good health: 78 per cent (9th highest)

Employees working long hours: 13.7 per cent (8th highest)

Disposable income: $22,415 (17th lowest)

Life expectancy: 82.4 years (4th highest)

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The happiest countries in the world

May 30, 2014 08:39 IST
A waiter serves beer at the season opening of Vienna's Schweitzerhaus, a traditional beer garden at Vienna's amusement park 'Wurstl Prater'.

Austria

Rank: 5

Life satisfaction score: 7.5 (tied for 5th)

Self-reported good health: 69 per cent (tied-17th lowest)

Employees working long hours: 8.6 per cent (15th highest)

Disposable income: $29,256 (9th highest)

Life expectancy: 81.1 years (13th highest)

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The happiest countries in the world

May 30, 2014 08:39 IST
Fans attend the Roskilde Festival which features musicians Bob Dylan, Morrisey, Franz Ferdinand and Roger Waters.

Denmark

Rank: 4

Life satisfaction score: 7.6 (tied for 3rd)

Self-reported good health: 71% (17th highest)

Employees working long hours: 2.1% (4th lowest)

Disposable income: $25,172 (15th highest)

Life expectancy: 79.9 years (12th lowest)

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The happiest countries in the world

May 30, 2014 08:39 IST
Dancers perform with pink umbrellas, while dancing to the Bollywood song Zoobi Doobi, during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival celebrations in Vancouver.

Canada

Rank: 3

Life satisfaction score: 7.6 (tied for 3rd)

Self-reported good health: 88 per cent (3rd highest)

Employees working long hours: 4.0 per cent (11th lowest)

Disposable income: $30,212 (7th highest)

Life expectancy: 81.0 years (17th highest)

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The happiest countries in the world

May 30, 2014 08:39 IST
Children look at a gingerbread town consisting of buildings, boats, bridges and other structures, in Bergen.

Norway

Rank: 2

Life satisfaction score: 7.7

Self-reported good health: 73 per cent (15th highest)

Employees working long hours: 3.1 per cent (6th lowest)

Disposable income: $32,093 (3rd highest)

Life expectancy: 81.4 years (10th highest)

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The happiest countries in the world

May 30, 2014 08:39 IST
Tourists from Singapore throw up snow as they pose for a photograph in front of Mount Titlis.

Switzerland

Rank: 1

Life satisfaction score: 7.8

Self-reported good health: 81 per cent (7th highest)

Employees working long hours: 7.3 per cent (17th highest)

Disposable income: $30,745 (5th highest)

Life expectancy: 82.8 years (the highest)