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The third edition of the World Happiness Report offers an insight into the state of global happiness. Here we take a look at the five most notable entries

City life in Athens, Greece. The country has one of the lowest scores for happiness levels - according to the World Happiness Report. It's no surprise thanks to its beaten up economy

Switzerland ↑

Denmark came top of the list in the last report, but it’s been bumped into third by Iceland in second and Switzerland in first. Factors such as GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption were all at healthy levels for the Swiss. Their country’s score of 7.587 was higher than any other in the 158-nation sample.

Togo ↓

Poor Togo came bottom, scoring only 2.839, with each of the aforementioned variables sitting at a dismally low level. Its citizens might take solace in the fact there is only a four-point gap separating the top 10 and bottom 10 countries, but it doesn’t look like they’re going to cheer up anytime soon; there is also a great deal of year-to-year consistency in how people in the top and bottom nations rate their lives.

Greece ↓

Greece has slipped the most of all the countries listed, looking at changes over the last 10 years. Economic problems combined with uncertainties about what the future holds mean happiness levels have slumped. Italy and Spain have also slipped, and for similar reasons.

Ecuador ↑

Ecuador’s improved levels of happiness are emblematic of substantial improvements in the region as a whole. Of the top 10 gainers, five are Latin American nations. While it’s thought this is because other countries have become less happy as a result of the global recession, the report acknowledges there are other forces at play – such as the tendency of Latin Americans to avoid appearing negative, no matter how they actually feel.

Japan ↑

Despite having the highest life expectancy, Japan sits in an unspectacular 46th position. However, the report’s findings are interesting in that they reveal “levels of trust and social capital in the Fukushima region of Japan were sufficient that the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 actually led to increased trust and happiness in the region”. It’s a perfect example of how crises, in certain instances, can improve happiness.

To check out the World Happiness Report, click here.