UK exits list of the world's top 10 happiest countries

Britain has lost its spot in the world’s top 10 happiest countries party due to high obesity rate and rising cost of housing.

17:22 06 May 2014

Based on the new report released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United Kingdom is no longer part of the world’s top 10 happiest countries list. 

 

OECD ranks countries based on 11 criteria which it considers to be important for a happy life including health, education, income, and environment. 

 

Based on these criteria, Australia ranked first followed by Norway. Sweden, Denmark, Canada, and Switzerland also ranked highly the list. The United States is in 7th place followed by Finland, Netherlands, and New Zealand. 

 

While Britain earned an average quality of life when it comes to key categories including education, work-life balance, wealth, and health, it lags in other areas particularly for its high obesity rate and rising cost of housing. Both are higher than the average rate set by OECD. 

 

In 2013, the UK was included in the list and was on number 10. This year, the country dropped to 12th place after it was overtaken by Finland and New Zealand. 

 

OECD Quality of Life index - The top 10 happiest countries in the world 2014:

 

1. Australia 

2. Norway 

3. Sweden 

4. Denmark 

5. Canada 

6. Switzerland 

7. U.S. 

8. Finland 

9. Netherlands 

10. New Zealand