“Switzerland finishes ahead of fifth-ranked Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, Finland, Austria, Iceland and Australia. The United States ranks 17th, while the UK is 22nd. Swiss neighbour France is in 25th place, just ahead of Germany. Sub-Saharan African countries come last in the rankings. Six key factors also help determine the rankings, including real GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, having someone to count on, perceived freedom to make life choices, freedom from corruption and generosity. Switzerland’s high ranking comes after a report from the World Economic Forum named the country the most competitive in the world for the fifth year in a row.”
http://www.thelocal.ch/20130909/switzerland-among-top-three-happiest-countries-report