New Economics Foundation research center has made public the Happy Planet Index. Economic, environmental and medical criteria, as well as results of public surveys were taken into account when drawing the Index. It turned out that life is the happiest in Vanuatu. The top ten includes Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama, Cuba, Honduras, Guatemala, Salvador, as well as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The US is only the 150th in the list, while China is 31st, Brazil - 65th, Italy - 68th, Iran - 69th, UK - 108th, Israel - 119th (it is interesting that life in Palestine is much happier), France - 131st.

Among post-soviet countries people live happier in Kyrgyzstan (19th position), while Tajikistan is 25th, Uzbekistan - 60th, Georgia - 103rd, Azerbaijan - 107th, Kazakhstan - 127th, Armenia - 132nd, Moldova - 149th, Lithuania - 151st, Latvia - 160th, Belarus - 165th, Turkmenistan - 169th, Russia - 172nd, Estonia - 173rd, Ukraine - 174th. Living is most horrible in Zimbabwe (178th place).

The Index authors note that Central America residents enjoy their lives to the utmost. Another significant factor, which has impact on the level of happiness, is living on an island state, reports Washington ProFile.