This is the happiest country in the world for 2018

It’s beaten Norway to take the top spot
Alamy

The Scandinavians sure seem to have life down-pat.

From free university tuition to commuting allowances and introducing the world to Hygge, it seems our northern neighbours know how to get the best out of life.

So it’s really no surprise then that Finland has just been awarded the title of 'happiest country in the world'.

Each year the United Nations publish the World Happiness Report and this year Finland has taken the top spot, beating last year’s winner Norway.

Norway came in second this year, with fellow Nordic countries Denmark taking the third spot and Sweden taking number nine.

Rounding off the top ten were Iceland (4), Switzerland (5), the Netherlands (6), Canada (7), New Zealand (8) and Australia (10).

Finland summer - in pictures

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Factors that contribute to the rankings in the report include life expectancy, equality, social support and the wellbeing of the country’s immigrants – a factor that was added this year.

The UK just scraped the top 20, taking spot 19 after the US which took the 18th spot.

The full top 20 are as follows:

1. Finland

2. Norway

3. Denmark

4. Iceland

5. Switzerland

6. Netherlands

7. Canada

8. New Zealand

9. Sweden

10. Australia

11. Israel

12. Austria

13. Costa Rica

14. Ireland

15. Germany

16. Belgium

17. Luxembourg

18. United States

19. United Kingdom

20. United Arab Emirates

Out of the 156 countries ranked, the least happy country was Burundi, followed by the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Tanzania and Yemen.

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