Happy Countries!

Each year the United Nations publishes a report of the ten happiest countries in the world. I figured it was a good bet that the US didn't make it into the top ten. So I searched around until I found a list that showed the top 50 rankings. We came in at 13. So how do they determine who's happy and who's not?

It's simple. They ask people if they are happy. Then they factor in GDP, life expectancy, generosity, social support, freedom and corruption. Some of the countries that are in the top ten I expected, among them Australia, New Zealand and Canada. What surprised me is Denmark, Norway, and Iceland. Relatively cold countries at least in my imagination. Maybe struggling to stay warm takes your mind off of petty issues and puts it on survival.

In a few weeks we are off to Japan which ranked 53 followed by a trip to Iceland, the third happiest country in the world. I guess it will all be balanced by a trip to Italy (50) and Spain (37).  By the time we return election results will be in for the US. Wonder how we'll rank in 2017?