The United States economy is still the largest and wealthiest in the entire world. And relative to Europe and Japan, the US is recovering quite well from the economic recession that threatened to cripple most nations.
But according to a study released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, America does not appear anywhere among the top happiest countries.
So, if citizens of a country as wealthy and rich as the US are not happy, that surely means that economic prosperity alone cannot guarantee happiness.
On a side note, the OECD did not include India in its study simply because India is not part of the OECD, which includes only developed countries.
But according to a study conducted by the New Economics Foundation, India was 35 in its Happiness Planet Index, while Bhutan was 17, Sri Lanka 22 and Pakistan 24.
Let us take a look at the 10 happiest countries and see why they have made it to the list . . .
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World's 10 happiest countries
1. The Netherlands
The Dutch are the happiest people on earth.
Average household income: $25,997
Paid job: 75 per cent aged 15 to 64 have a paid job
Work hours: 1,378 hours a year
Mothers' employability: 75 per cent are employed after children start school
Education: Average student scored 508 out of 600 in reading ability
Life expectancy: 80.2 years
Satisfaction: 91 per cent are satisfied with their life
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World's 10 happiest countries
2. Denmark
The Danes follow the Dutch as the second most happy people in the world.
Average household income: $22,929
Paid job: 73 per cent aged 15 to 64 have a paid job
Work hours: 1,563 hours a year
Mothers' employability: 71 per cent are employed after children start school
Education: Average student scored 495 out of 600 in reading ability
Life expectancy: 78.8 years
Satisfaction: 90 per cent are satisfied with their life
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World's 10 happiest countries
3. Finland
The Finns follow closely at the number three spot when it comes to happiness.
Average household income: $24,246
Paid job: 68 per cent aged 15 to 64 have a paid job
Work hours: 1,652 hours a year
Mothers' employability: 71 per cent are employed after children start school
Education: Average student scored 536 out of 600 in reading ability
Life expectancy: 80 years
Satisfaction: 86 per cent are satisfied with their life
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World's 10 happiest countries
4. Norway
People in the Scandinavian nations seem to the happiest, with Norwegians being the 4th mots happy people in the world.
Average household income: $29,365
Paid job: 75 per cent aged 15 to 64 have a paid job
Work hours: 1,407 hours a year
Mothers' employability: 79 per cent are employed after children start school
Education: Average student scored 503 out of 600 in reading ability
Life expectancy: 80.6 years
Satisfaction: 84 per cent are satisfied with their life
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World's 10 happiest countries
5. Sweden
The Swedes are the fifth most happy people in the world.
Average household income: $26,543
Paid job: 73 per cent aged 15 to 64 have a paid job
Work hours: 1,610 hours a year
Mothers' employability: 76 per cent are employed after children start school
Education: Average student scored 497 out of 600 in reading ability
Life expectancy: 81.2 years
Satisfaction: 83 per cent are satisfied with their life
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World's 10 happiest countries
6. Canada
The Canadians are the 6th most happy people in the world, says the OECD survey.
Average household income: $27,015
Paid job: 72 per cent aged 15 to 64 have a paid job
Work hours: 1,699 hours a year
Mothers' employability: 71 per cent are employed after children start school
Education: Average student scored 524 out of 600 in reading ability
Life expectancy: 80.7 years
Satisfaction: 78 per cent are satisfied with their life
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World's 10 happiest countries
7. Switzerland
The Swiss follow the Canadians and are ranked the 7th most happy people in the world.
Average household income: $27,542
Paid job: 79 per cent aged 15 to 64 have a paid job
Work hours: 1,640 hours a year
Mothers' employability: 79 per cent are employed after children start school
Education: Average student scored 501 out of 600 in reading ability
Life expectancy: 80 years
Satisfaction: 77 per cent are satisfied with their life
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World's 10 happiest countries
8. Australia
Australians are the eighth most happy people.
Average household income: $27,039
Paid job: 72 per cent aged 15 to 64 have a paid job
Work hours: 1,690 hours a year
Mothers' employability: 71 per cent are employed after children start school
Education: Average student scored 515 out of 600 in reading ability
Life expectancy: 81.5 years
Satisfaction: 75 per cent are satisfied with their life
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World's 10 happiest countries
9. Austria
Austrians are the 9th happiest people, says the OECD survey.
Average household income: $27,670
Paid job: 72 per cent aged 15 to 64 have a paid job
Work hours: 1,621 hours a year
Mothers' employability: 71 per cent are employed after children start school
Education: Average student scored 470 out of 600 in reading ability
Life expectancy: 80.5 years
Satisfaction: 73 per cent are satisfied with their life
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World's 10 happiest countries
10. Israel
Israelis make up the list of the top 10 happiest people, having been ranked 10th by OECD.
Average household income: $19,456
Paid job: 59 per cent aged 15 to 64 have a paid job
Mothers' employability: 55 per cent are employed after children start school
Education: Average student scored 474 out of 600 in reading ability
Life expectancy: 81.1years
Satisfaction: 72 per cent are satisfied with their life.
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