MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines placed 71st out of the 156 countries ranked in the World Happiness Report 2018, only one notch higher from its position last year.
The country has an average score of 5.524 in 2018.
In 2017, the Philippines ranked 72nd out of 155 nations. It scored 5.430.
Finland took the top spot from Norway as the happiest nation.
The following are the happiest countries in the world:
1. Finland
2. Norway
3. Denmark
4. Iceland
5. Switzerland
6. The Netherlands
7. Canada
8. New Zealand
9. Sweden
10. Australia
Burundi, on the other hand, is the unhappiest country in the world.
The following are the unhappiest nations:
147. Malawi
148. Haiti
149. Liberia
150. Syria
151. Rwanda
152. Yemen
153. Tanzania
154. South Sudan
155. Central African Republic
156. Burundi
The report also said that the Philippines ranked third in the countries with highest levels of positive affect.
It explained that positive affect is measured as the simple average of the “day-before” dichotomous variables such as smiled or laughed yesterday, learned something, treated with respect, experience enjoyment and felt well-rested.
The World Happiness Report is produced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
In a separate global survey by US-based firm Gallup International released last month, the Philippines placed third in the happiest country in the world with a net score of +84.
Fiji is the happiest nation in the world, followed by Colombia.