WORLD'S HAPPIEST COUNTRIES [WITH PICTURES]

Hey guys. So this is a follow-up on my last post. Also by Forbes, here are your world's happiest countries.

COUNTDOWN!!!!

 

20. Taiwan

 
Taiwan is the last of the 20 happiest nations, and ranks 4th in education. Next we'll run through the 20 saddest nations, according to the Legatum Prosperity Index.  

19. Singapore

They may consider themselves overworked, but Singaporeans can boast the 3rd highest ranking Economy in the world.  

18. Hong Kong

 
The night skyline in Hong Kong, the highest-ranking Asian nation. Though technically part of China, the Prosperity Index breaks out Hong Kong as a separate country. It has improved its Safety and Security ranking from 18th last year to 5th in 2012. 

17. Belgium

 
Chilling in Brussels. Belgium is the final European nation among the top 20. Guess which Asian nation comes next? 

16. Austria

 
Skiing in Tyrol, Austria. The Alpine nation ranks 16th overall and 10th in Health. 

15. Iceland

 
Relaxing in the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Grindavik, Iceland. Despite having an Economy ranking of 61, Iceland is 1st in Safety and Security. 

14. Germany

 
Castles in the Rhine Valley. Germany is 14th overall, 5th in Health and 6th in Economy. 

13. United Kingdom

 
London. The United Kingdom ranks 6th in Entrepreneurship and Opportunity and 7th in Governance. 

12. United States

 
San Francisco. After three years in 10th place. The U.S.A. has slipped to 12th overall. The land of the free ranks only 14th in Personal Freedom but 2nd in Health.
 

11. Luxembourg

 
This is the first year Luxembourg has been included in the Legatum Prosperity Index. Its addition contributed to knocking the U.S. down to 12th place. Despite ranking 1st in Health, Luxembourg is 48th in Education. 

10. Ireland

 
Mallaranny, Ireland. The Emerald Isle ranks 4th in Personal Freedom and 10th overall. 

9. Switzerland

 
Davos. Switzerland ranked 9th overall. Its 1st place rankings in Economy and Governance are balanced out by a 32nd place ranking in education. 

8. Netherlands

 
A view of Amsterdam's King's Canal. The Netherlands, 8th overall, scored in 6th place on both Social Capital and Health. 

7. Finland

 

Helsinki. Finland ranked 7th overall and 3rd in both entrepreneurship and opportunity as well as safety and security. 

6. Canada

 
The skyline of booming Calgary, Alberta. Canada ranks 6th overall and scored first in personal freedom. 

5. New Zealand

A view of the harbor in Auckland, New Zealand, which ranks 5th overall, 1st in education and 2nd in governance and personal freedom. 

4. Australia

 
Sydney's famous opera house. Australia ranked 4th overall this year, 2nd in education and 3rd in personal freedom. 

3. Sweden

 
A view of Central Stockholm. Sweden's overall rank has climbed from 7th in 2009 to 3rd this year. The nation ranks 2nd in Entrepreneurship and Opportunity. 

2. Denmark

 
A view of Copenhagen. Denmark ranked 2nd overall for the fourth consecutive year. The nation placed 1st for Entrepreneurship and Opportunity and 2nd in Social Capital.

1. Norway 

 
Enjoying the harborside in Bergen, Norway. The Scandinavian nation ranked 1st overall on the 2012 Legatum Institute Prosperity Index. It also ranked 1st in Social Capital and 2nd in Economy.