UAE tops region in World Happiness Report 2020

The UAE has maintained its top position in the Arab world for the sixth consecutive year, according to the latest edition of the World Happiness Report for 2020.

The global report, issued annually by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, was unveiled on Friday to coincide with the International Day of Happiness. 

The happiness levels were captured by surveying citizens and residents of 153 countries in a bid to assess their general life satisfaction levels.

This year’s report also included a special indicator that captures happiness on city level, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai ranking among the top in the Arab region. A total of 186 cities were assessed based on inhabitants’ level of happiness and their general evaluation of their lives. 

The report also highlighted a direct relationship between efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and  reported happiness levels. Nations that scored leading positions in the World Happiness Index were also better performers in the SGD Index. 

First launched in 2012, the report saw Finland topping the 2020 global index for the third year in a row.