Residents of the capital have one more thing to smile about. The UAE was ranked 14th happiest country in the world according to the World Happiness Report, a new survey published earlier this week.
Published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), leading experts in several fields measured well-being to assess the progress of nations. The UAE, up three places from last year, was also ranked the happiest country in the Arab world.
“More and more world leaders are talking about the importance of well-being as a guide for their nations and the world. The report offers evidence that the measurement and analysis of happiness can teach us a lot about ways to improve the world’s well-being,” said Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, director of the SDSN, and special advisor to the UN Secretary General.
UAE resident, hypnotherapist and life coach Lisa Laws from Lisa Laws Coaching adds, “happiness is about security and making sure our basic needs are met, and when that’s done, it’s all about connection and belonging. Compared to other countries, the UAE has a strong sense of ‘we’ rather than ‘I.’ I believe this sense of being anchored brings with it, a lot of security.”
The happiness report comes on the heels of another survey putting Abu Dhabi at the forefront of favourites. Released earlier this month, a survey conducted by Ipsos Mori, placed the capital fourth in the world’s top city rankings. The study factored into account participants views on the best cities to conduct business, to live and to visit.
Smiles ahead
The world’s top ten happiest countries, according to the latest survey, along with selected others:
1. Denmark
2. Norway
3. Switzerland
4. Netherlands
5. Sweden
6. Canada
7. Finland
8. Austria
9. Iceland
10. Australia
14. UAE
22. UK
