Korea Above Taiwan, Japan in World Happiness Index

Published on 2013/09/14 | Source

South Korea is the 41st happiest country in the world, according to a survey of 156 countries by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

The body released its 2013 World Happiness Report on Monday and Korea scored 6.267 points out of 10 in terms of how satisfied people are with their lives.

The research team at Columbia University's Earth Institute in New York that was commissioned to conduct the study looked at various data including the Gallup World Poll and UN Human Development Index.

Denmark topped the list for the second consecutive year with 7.693 points, followed by Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden. The other end of the table was filled with African countries -- Rwanda, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Benin and Togo.

South Korea was also the happiest country among members of the East Asian Confucian community, followed by Taiwan in 42nd place and Japan in 43rd. North Korea was not included in the study.