Sweden next to happiest in the world

The Better Life Index puts Sweden as the second happiest nation on earth. 

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  Sweden - the land of the midnight sun, and also next to happiest nation in the world.

• According to the Better Life Index, compiled by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Australia is the happiest nation among developed economies for the third year in a row. The second happiest country is Sweden, then Canada, followed by Norway, Switzerland, and the US.

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  Reason to be happy: Swedish households have higher incomes than the overall average among 24 countries.

• The Better Life Index has 11 categories (housing, income, jobs, community, education, environment, civic engagement, health, life satisfaction, safety, and work-life balance), and of those Sweden has the highest ranking in environment, and the lowest ranking in safety.

• Swedish households have higher incomes than average among the 24 countries. More residents between the ages 15 and 64 have a paid job, and people in Sweden are working fewer hours per year than is the average. In general, Swedes were more satisfied with their lives than the average inhabitant in the ranked countries. 85% of those living in Sweden, feel they have more positive than negative experiences during a normal day, in terms of factors such as pain, worry, sadness, and boredom. The average is 80%.

• For more information: www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org

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