Canada is the fifth happiest country on the planet, according to a new report that attempts to determine the level of happiness in 158 different countries.
The from the Sustainable Development Solutions Network includes analysis from the fields of economics, psychology, health, national statistics and public policy.
The countries included in the report are ranked in part on Gallup World Poll data, which asked respondents between 2012 to 2014 to rate their lives on a scale of zero to 10. A score of zero would represent the worst possible life, and a score of 10 would be for the best possible life.
According to that system the top five happiest countries are:
1. Switzerland (7.587)
2. Iceland (7.561)
3. Denmark (7.527)
4. Norway (7.522)
5. Canada (7.427)
Other factors considered in the analysis include GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, generosity and perceptions of corruption.
This year, the U.S. came in 15th place, behind Australia, Israel and Costa Rica. The U.K came in 21st place.
In the last report, published in 2013, Canada ranked sixth in the world.
Since 2012, the annual happiness report has measured levels of well-being across the planet. The inaugural report attracted attention because it was the first survey to attempt to determine the state of global happiness.
Prof. John F. Helliwell, from the University of British Columbia, edited this year's report. He said the authors are pleased that more governments are increasingly looking at happiness and well-being as measures of national progress.
"As the science of happiness advances, we are getting to the heart of what factors define quality of life for citizens," he said Thursday in a statement.
"We are encouraged that more and more governments around the world are listening and responding with policies that put well-being first. Countries with strong social and institutional capital not only support greater well-being, but are more resilient to social and economic crises."
This year's report also looked at how levels of happiness varied according to geographical region, gender and age. It also examined how happiness levels changed before and after the 2008 global financial crises.
Youth mental health
The report also included a chapter on mental health among children and adolescents.
It found that one in 10 people under the age of 18 had a diagnosable mental illness, including depression, anxiety and conduct disorder. This represents about 220 million young people around the world.
The report calls for governments to address children's mental health, by adopting child well-being strategies, training medical professionals to treat youth and promoting well-being in schools.
Governments should also use smartphone technology to make youth support programs accessible for all, the report says.
"As we consider the value of happiness in today's report, we must of course also consider the need to invest early-on in the lives of our children so that they grow to become dependent, productive and happy adults, in turn contributing socially and economically," co-editor Prof. Richard Layard said in a statement.
