5.43
The mean happiness level of people around the world, on a scale from one (least happy) to 10 (happiest)1 according to the 2016 World Happiness Report.2
7.52
The mean happiness level of residents of Denmark, the happiest country in the world. Denmark was followed closely by Switzerland (7.51), Iceland (7.50) and Norway (7.50).
7.10
The mean happiness level of residents of the United States.
2.91
The mean happiness level of residents of Burundi, the least happy country in the world. Burundi was preceded by Syria (3.07), Togo (3.30) and Afghanistan (3.36).
6
The number of variables that, together, explain three-quarters of the difference in happiness between the happiest and the least happy countries. Those variables are gross domestic product per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity and perceptions of corruption.
1 Respondents were asked to rate their happiness by answering the question: “Please imagine a ladder, with steps numbered from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top. The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possible life for you. On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?”
2 The World Happiness Report is based on a poll conducted by Gallup for the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, an international panel of economists, psychologists and public health experts convened by the United Nations.