Global happiness index: India ranks below Pak at 117

United Nations, April 24 

India has not fared well in a global ranking of the happiest nations, coming in at the 117th spot out of 158 countries on the index that took into account GDP per capita, life expectancy, social support and freedom to make life choices as indicators of happiness.

Switzerland has been named the most happiest country in the world, coming in at the number one spot on the 2015 World Happiness Report published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, which is a global initiative for the United Nations.

The other countries in the top five are Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Canada.

India’s rank is 117, below nations such as Pakistan (81), Palestine (108), Bangladesh (109), Ukraine (111) and Iraq (112). Its rank dropped six notched from the 2013 report, when it was on the 111 spot.

“Increasingly happiness is considered a proper measure of social progress and goal of public policy,” the report said. — PTI