UK is no longer among the 'top 10 happiest countries'
The United Kingdom has lost its spot within the "top 10 happiest countries," according to a new report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
The OECD's "Better Life Index," released today, ranks countries according to 11 criteria it considers essential for a happy life.
These include data on health, education, income and environment. The survey also asks people about their priorities in life and evaluates their "sense of happiness."
The top 10 countries:
Brits enjoy above the average quality life in many of the key categories, such as work-life balance, wealth, health or education.
The report says:
However, the UK lags behind in other areas, such as the the obesity rate among adults, which is 24.8 percent, much higher than the OECD average of 17.2 percent.
Another key measurement, the cost of housing, is also higher than the average, pushing the UK lower on the over-all ranking.
Last year, the UK ranked 10th on the index which compares 36 industrialized nations. In 2014, the country dropped two spots after being overtaken by Finland and New Zealand and finishing 12th.