Norway was just ranked the happiest country in the world

pulse

March 21, 2017 7:09 PM

Norway topped this year's United Nation's World Happiness Report, which analyzes factors in 156 countries that can lead to a good life.

People in Norway tend to have a great deal of social support, trust their government, and live a long life.

That's according to World Happiness Report, which just ranked Norway as the happiest country on the planet.

Norway ranked highest despite its low oil prices, which has led to a weaker economy. As Bloomberg notes, Norway relies on gas and oil for about one-fifth of its economic output, and the petroleum industry cut nearly 30,000 jobs in 2016. Still, the country is resilient.

"By choosing to produce its oil slowly, and investing the proceeds for the future rather than spending them in the present, Norway has insulated itself from the boom and bust cycle of many other resource-rich economies," it reads. "

Not to mention, Norwegians on average have a high life expectancy (80 years), enjoy a large GDP ($), and experience relatively low levels of political corruption.

For those reasons, the ranking doesn't come as much of a surprise. Norway jumped from #4 in 2016's report to first place this year, followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Switzerland. The country also topped the UN's 2016 Human Development Report, which noted its high levels of

causes, including less perceived personal freedom, lower social support, and higher corruption from governments and businesses.

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