Denmark , Rwanda , the Central African Republic , Denmark and Sweden are the world 's happiest countries . An idea first proposed in 1972 by Bhutan 's former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck , the concept of `` happiness economics '' has now gained traction in many countries across the world , including the UK , Germany and South Korea . Rwanda , Burundi , the Central African Republic , Benin and Togo are the least satisfied with their lives . the Netherlands ranked 17th , while the UK was 22nd of the 156 nations surveyed . Rwanda had the greatest fall of happiness levels in the past five years , the report said .
Denmark , Rwanda , the Central African Republic , Denmark and Sweden are the world 's happiest countries . Rwanda , Burundi , the Central African Republic , Benin and Togo are the least satisfied with their lives . the Netherlands ranked 17th , while the UK was 22nd of the 156 nations surveyed . Rwanda had the greatest fall of happiness levels in the past five years , the report said .