The Happiness Index published by the United Nations, represented by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, showed that Saudi Arabia ranked third among the happiest Arab countries in 2017, behind the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, while Norway ranked first and Denmark second, and the United States ranked 14th globally as the happiest country in the world.

It aims to provide a new tool for governments, businesses, and civil society to help find a better path to well-being. Following Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, the Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Sweden rounded out the top ten in the ranking, while South Sudan, Liberia, Guinea, Togo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Central African Republic ranked at the bottom. The report noted that sub-Saharan African countries, Syria, and Yemen are currently the unhappiest among the 155 countries covered in the fifth annual report released at the United Nations.

“Happy countries are those where there is a healthy balance between prosperity, according to traditional measures, and social capital—which means a high degree of trust in society, reduced inequality, and trust in the government.”

The ranking is based on six factors: per capita GDP, life expectancy, freedom, the state’s generosity toward its citizens, social support, and the absence of corruption in government or business.

The Happiness Index published by the United Nations, represented by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, showed that Saudi Arabia ranked third as the happiest Arab country after the UAE and Qatar for 2017, while Norway ranked first and Denmark second; the United States ranked 14th globally as the happiest country in the world.

It aims to provide a new tool for governments, businesses, and civil society to help find a better path to well-being. Following Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, the Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Sweden rounded out the top ten in the ranking, while South Sudan, Liberia, Guinea, Togo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Central African Republic ranked at the bottom. The report noted that sub-Saharan African countries, Syria, and Yemen are currently the unhappiest among the 155 countries covered in the fifth annual report released at the United Nations.

Jeffrey Sachs, the network’s director and special advisor to the UN Secretary-General, said in an interview, “Happy countries are those where there is a healthy balance between prosperity, according to traditional measures, and social capital—which means a high degree of trust in society, reduced inequality, and trust in the government.”

The ranking is based on six factors: per capita GDP, life expectancy, freedom, generosity of the state toward its citizens, social support, and the absence of corruption in government or business.