THE GEOGRAPHY OF HAPPINESS

Unsurprisingly, where you live can affect your well-being. Economic, geographic and social factors all play parts. Here's how joy around the world shakes out

The U.S. currently ranks 13th worldwide in measures of happiness.

Nicaragua saw the biggest rise in happiness over the past 10 years.

Brazil is the happiest country in South America.

Denmark, known for its strong social welfare system, was the happiest country overall.

Greece had the biggest reported drop in happiness over the past 10 years.

Bhutan has the greatest equality in terms of happiness across society.

South Sudan is least equal in happiness across society.

Eight of the 10 least happy countries are in sub-Saharan Africa (Burundi, Togo, Benin, Rwanda, Guinea, Liberia, Tanzania and Madagascar), while the other two are currently war-torn (Syria and Afghanistan).

NOTE: DATA IS UNAVAILABLE FOR COUNTRIES IN GRAY. SOURCE: WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT 2016

WHAT INFLUENCES HAPPINESS:

1. SOCIAL SUPPORT

Average global: 80% yes

On average, men under age 55 report having less social support than women; the opposite is true for older groups.

2. GDP PER CAPITA

Average global: $10,000

GDP per capita, the most unevenly distributed factor, is 25 times as high in the top 10 countries as in the bottom 10.

3. YEARS OF HEALTHY LIFE EXPECTANCY

Average global: 62 years

Healthy life expectancies at birth range from a low of 29 in Sierra Leone to a high of 76 in Singapore.

4. FREEDOM TO MAKE LIFE DECISIONS

Average global: 74% yes

Perceived autonomy is under 60% in the Middle East and North Africa, but the gap between genders is minimal.

5. GENEROSITY

Average global: 30%

On average, people donate to charity more frequently with age, and women begin to surpass men in donations after age 50.

6. PERCEIVED CORRUPTION

Average global: 73% yes

Crises (such as the 2011 Fukushima earthquake) may boost happiness by requiring cooperation and independence.