The rank of India in Global Happiness Index 2023 is
- (1)115
- (2)118
- (3)126
- (4)136
Answer
Why
Correct — option (3), 126.
The World Happiness Report 2023 ranks countries by life evaluations averaged over 2020–2022. In its Figure 2.1, India is 126th, with an average life evaluation of 4.036, between Liberia (125th) and Madagascar (127th).
The table covers 137 countries. Finland is first with 7.804, and Afghanistan is last, 137th, with 1.859.
Each score is the average answer to the Cantril ladder question in the Gallup World Poll. Respondents rate their current life on a ladder from 0, the worst possible life for them, to 10, the best possible.
The idea to remember: World Happiness Report 2023 — India 126th of 137.
Why the others are wrong
- (1)115 — In Figure 2.1 of the World Happiness Report 2023, 115th place belongs to Cambodia, with an average life evaluation of 4.393.
India sits eleven places lower, at 126th, with 4.036.
- (2)118 — In the 2023 report, 118th place belongs to Bangladesh, with 4.282.
The number can mislead in another way. The report prints a 95 per cent confidence range for each rank, and India's runs from 117 to 128, so 118 lies inside that range. The rank the report gives India is still 126.
- (4)136 — In the 2023 report, 136th place belongs to Lebanon, with an average life evaluation of 2.392, one place above Afghanistan at the bottom.
India is ten places higher, at 126th.
Concept
The World Happiness Report ranks countries by how people rate their own lives. The Gallup World Poll asks respondents to place their current life on a ladder from 0 to 10; around 1,000 responses are typically gathered for each country each year.
The report ranks on a three-year average of these life evaluations, since the larger sample gives more precise estimates, and prints a 95 per cent confidence range beside each rank.
Six variables are used to explain the differences, not to build the rank: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity and freedom from corruption.
The 2023 report says these six together explain more than three-quarters of the variation in national annual average ladder scores, using data from 2005 through 2022.
RPSC's 2023 Prelims syllabus lists "Happiness Index" under Human Resource and Economic Development, next to the Human Development Index.
The World Happiness Report 2023 was written by John F. Helliwell, Richard Layard, Jeffrey D. Sachs, Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, Lara B. Aknin and Shun Wang. It notes that the UN General Assembly's Resolution 66/281 proclaimed 20 March as the International Day of Happiness.
In its Figure 2.1, several of India's neighbours rank above it: China 64th, Pakistan 108th, Sri Lanka 112th, Myanmar 117th and Bangladesh 118th.
The report notes that only at the extremes do country rankings differ significantly from all others: Finland at the top, and Afghanistan and Lebanon at the bottom.
Key facts
- World Happiness Report 2023 (Figure 2.1): India ranks 126th with an average life evaluation of 4.036 for 2020–2022.
- The 2023 ranking covers 137 countries, from Finland (1st, 7.804) to Afghanistan (137th, 1.859).
- The ranking uses Cantril ladder life evaluations from the Gallup World Poll, on a 0–10 scale, averaged over three years.
- The report gives India's 95 per cent confidence range for rank as 117 to 128.
- Six variables explain more than three-quarters of the variation in national average ladder scores (2005–2022), per the report.
From Figure 2.1 of the World Happiness Report 2023; scores are average life evaluations for 2020–2022.
Study next
Common traps
- Mixing report editions: the 2023 report ranks life evaluations for 2020–2022 and places India 126th; a rank from another edition's table answers a different question.
- Reading the confidence range as the rank: India's 95 per cent range runs from 117 to 128, but its rank is 126.
- Taking the six explanatory variables as the index itself: the ranking is based on life evaluations, and the six variables explain the differences.
A question can ask India's rank in a named edition of the World Happiness Report, or which country heads or ends the table.
A question can also ask what the ranking is based on, or which factors the report uses to explain differences between countries.
Related PYQs
Consider the following statements regarding World Happiness Report – 2024 : A. India ranked 126th out of more than 140 countries, which is lower than its neighbouring countries including China, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. B. India’s ranking has remained relatively stagnant over the years, indicating limited progress in improving the overall happiness and well-being of its population. Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
- (1) Only A
- (2) Only B
- (3) Both A and B
- (4) Neither A nor B
Answer(2)
Same report, the next edition. That question tests two statements on the World Happiness Report 2024, one giving India's rank and its standing against neighbours, the other on its ranking staying relatively stagnant (RPSC's key: only B is correct); this one asks the single rank in the 2023 edition.
Practice
- practice — not a real PYQ
In the World Happiness Report 2023, which country is ranked first?
- (a)Denmark
- (b)Finland
- (c)Iceland
- (d)Switzerland
Answer(2) — Finland heads Figure 2.1 with an average life evaluation of 7.804. Option (1) is 2nd and option (3) is 3rd; option (4) is not first either, since only one country can hold that place. - practice — not a real PYQ
The country rankings in the World Happiness Report 2023 are based on
- (a)GDP per capita at purchasing power parity
- (b)life evaluations on the Cantril ladder, averaged over three years
- (c)the Human Development Index
- (d)healthy life expectancy
Answer(2) — The report ranks on the average answer to the Cantril ladder question over 2020–2022. Options (1) and (4) are among the six variables used to explain the scores, not to rank; option (3) is a different index.