MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos have been happier citizens in the past year – 10 notches higher, to be exact. The Philippines ranked 72nd out of 155 countries in the World Happiness Report for 2017, according to data released yesterday by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations. The latest rankings show Norway as the happiest country on Earth, vaulting to the top from No. 26 overall, followed by Thailand (32), Taiwan (33), Malaysia (42), Japan (51), Hong Kong (71), China (79) and Indonesia (81). The Philippines was also among top 20 gainers in terms of Changes in Happiness from 2005-2007 to 2014-2016, which showed average ladder scores increasing by 0.50 or more, alongside Thailand in Asia.

Source: Philippine Star March 20, 2017 16:16 UTC