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Why these 10 countries are the world's happiest
The popular Abba single, "Money, money, money...must be funny in a rich man's world" seems true for people from these countries. At least that is what one can deduce from New Economics Foundation's Happy Planet Index (HPI).
The latest HPI results show how these countries produce long, happy and sustainable lives for their people. The overall index scores rates countries based on their efficiency, how many long and happy lives each produces per unit of environmental output.
Each of the three component measures – life expectancy, experienced well-being and ecological footprint. Also, the overall ranking is not based on GNP and growth figures, but purely on environmental factors.
Thus, NEF's list of happiest countries does not feature the usual suspects.
Source: Happy Planet Index
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Why these 10 countries are the world's happiest
Costa Rica
Ranking: 1
Happy Planet Index score: 60.4
2009 HPI Rank: 5
Experienced Well-Being: 5.8
Life Expectancy: 75.2
Ecological Footprint: 1.4
GDP Per Capita: $3,205
Population: 86.9 million
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Why these 10 countries are the world's happiest
Vietnam
Ranking: 2
Happy Planet Index score: 60.4
2009 HPI Rank: 5
Experienced Well-Being: 5.8
Life Expectancy: 75.2
Ecological Footprint: 1.4
GDP Per Capita: $3,205
Population: 86.9 million
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Why these 10 countries are the world's happiest
Colombia
Ranking: 3
Happy Planet Index score: 59.8
2009 HPI Rank: 6
Experienced Well-Being: 6.4
Life Expectancy: 73.7
Ecological Footprint: 1.8
GDP Per Capita: $9,453
Population: 46.3 million
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Why these 10 countries are the world's happiest
Belize
Ranking: 4
Happy Planet Index score: 59.3
2009 HPI Rank: 27
Experienced Well-Being: 6.5
Life Expectancy: 76.1
Ecological Footprint: 2.1
GDP Per Capita: $6,670
Population: 345,000
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Why these 10 countries are the world's happiest
El Salvador
Ranking: 5
Happy Planet Index score: 58.9
2009 HPI Rank: 8
Experienced Well-Being: 6.7
Life Expectancy: 72.2
Ecological Footprint: 2
GDP Per Capita: $6,668
Population: 6.2 million
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Why these 10 countries are the world's happiest
Jamaica
Ranking: 6
Happy Planet Index score: 58.5
2009 HPI Rank: 3
Experienced Well-Being: 6.2
Life Expectancy: 73.1
Ecological Footprint: 1.7
GDP Per Capita: $7,673
Population: 2.7 million
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Why these 10 countries are the world's happiest
Panama
Ranking: 7
Happy Planet Index score: 57.8
2009 HPI Rank: 18
Experienced Well-Being: 7.3
Life Expectancy: 76.1
Ecological Footprint: 3
GDP Per Capita: $13,608
Population: 3.5 million
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Why these 10 countries are the world's happiest
Nicaragua
Ranking: 8
Happy Planet Index score: 57.1
2009 HPI Rank: 11
Experienced Well-Being: 5.7
Life Expectancy: 74
Ecological Footprint: 1.6
GDP Per Capita: $2,913
Population: 5.8 million
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Why these 10 countries are the world's happiest
Venezuela
Ranking: 9
Happy Planet Index score: 56.9
2009 HPI Rank: 36
Experienced Well-Being: 7.5
Life Expectancy: 74.4
Ecological Footprint: 3.0
GDP Per Capita: $12,233
Population: 28.8 million
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Why these 10 countries are the world's happiest
Guatemala
Ranking: 10
Happy Planet Index score: 56.9
2009 HPI Rank: 4
Experienced Well-Being: 6.3
Life Expectancy: 71.2
Ecological Footprint: 1.8
GDP Per Capita: $4,785
Population: 14.4 million