Posted inAfricaCulture & SocietyCulture & SocietyEuropeGCCMiddle EastPoliticsPolitics & Economics

UAE the happiest country in Gulf, says UN

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar also score highly on index of world’s happiest nations

(Credit: Bloomberg News)
(Credit: Bloomberg News)

The UAE has been ranked as the happiest place in the Arabian Gulf, according to a new report published by the United Nations.

The First World Happiness Report, launched earlier this week, placed the nation in 17th on a global basis, making it the second happiest country in the Middle East behind Israel.

Residents in the Gulf-state proved to be more satisfied with their lives than those living in places such as the UK, Germany and Hong Kong.

Neighbouring Gulf states Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, ranked in as the 26th, 29th and 31st happiest places in the world, respectively.

Topping the list were wealthy Scandinavian countries, with Denmark ranked the happiest nation, followed by Finland, Norway, the Netherlands and Canada.

Countries which proved to be least satisfied were economically depressed and war-torn African countries such as Togo, Benin, Central African Republic and Sierra Leone.

The least happy places in the Middle East were Yemen, Afghanistan and Palestine, the report judged.

Factors that go towards a country’s happiness rating include its overall wealth and its mood, social relations and healthcare.

Follow us on

For all the latest business news from the UAE and Gulf countries, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.