Costa Rica has claimed the top spot in the Happy Planet Index rankings 4 times in a row. Strong social networks, investment in health and education, and a deep connection to nature may help explain why Costa Ricans are happier and live longer than the residents of most wealthy nations. A national commitment to environmental protection and use of renewable energy also keeps Costa Rica’s Ecological Footprint small.
Human rights abuses are a problem in most of the world, including in some of the high-ranking countries in the Happy Planet Index results. While the Happy Planet Index may reflect some of the negative impacts of these abuses, it does not seek to directly measure this. For more information about human rights in this country, visit Amnesty International.
This graph maps the results of the country’s Happy Planet Index and component measures over time, including goals for attainable results in 2030. Learn more about how the Happy Planet Index is calculated.
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