Singapore continues to be the happiest country in Southeast Asia, despite experiencing its lowest ranking in the World Happiness Report in over a decade.
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The latest annual report from the United Nations, the University of Oxford, and Gallup, released on Thursday, ranked Singapore first in Southeast Asia and 34th globally – a decline of four places from last year and its lowest position since the report began in 2012.
The report, which surveyed more than 100,000 respondents across 143 regions worldwide, evaluated residents’ perceptions of happiness and considered various factors, including income and social support.
Among the indicators, Singapore led the world with gross domestic product per capita, low perception of corruption, and generosity towards others.
However, citizens expressed concerns about weak support from family and friends and a lack of freedom to choose their lifestyles.
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“Social connections significantly influence our happiness. This is especially so among youths who report higher anxiety and lower satisfaction levels in reduced social networks,” Melvin Tay, a research associate from Institute of Policy Studies at National University of Singapore, told state broadcaster CNA.
