World Happiness Report 2019

The World Happiness Report is a landmark survey of the state of global happiness that ranks 156 countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be. This year’s World Happiness Report focuses on happiness and the community: how happiness has evolved over the past dozen years, with a focus on the technologies, social norms, conflicts and government policies that have driven those changes.

Finland, which headed the table last year, came top again, followed by Denmark, Norway (top in 2017) and Iceland. The Netherlands joined them in the top five. Switzerland, Sweden, New Zealand, Canada and Austria completed the top 10.  The US only made it to number 19, down from 18 last year. The UK was placed 15th, one ahead of Ireland with Pakistan ranked 67 and India 140 out of 156 nations surveyed. Two nations riven by civil strife, South Sudan and the Central African Republic were ranked as the least happy.

World's Best Airports 2019

 

What makes an airport a “world’s best”? High-tech facilities? Friendly staff? Great leisure amenities? Speedy immigration service? According to Skytrax World Airport Awards, being a global travel leader means constantly striving to improve, innovate and impress.  And so for 2019 — and for the seventh time in a row — Singapore Changi Airport is crowned the world’s best aviation hub, just in time for the opening of the much awaited Jewel Changi terminal, in April.

But Singapore was beaten by its old rival when it came to filling up before a flight, as Hong Kong grabbed the top spot for the best airport dining experience.Munich Airport, in seventh place on the best airport list, was the highest ranked among airfields in Europe, sitting just one place ahead of London Heathrow.

2019 Skytrax World Airport Awards

1. Singapore Changi Airport — Singapore
2. Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) — Tokyo, Japan
3. Incheon International Airport — Seoul, South Korea
4. Hamad International Airport — Doha, Qatar
5. Hong Kong International Airport — Hong Kong
6. Central Japan International Airport — Bay of Ise, Japan
7. Munich Airport — Munich, Germany
8. London Heathrow Airport — London, UK
9. Narita International Airport — Tokyo, Japan
10. Zurich Airport — Zurich, Switzerland

Healthiest Countries in the World 2019

Spain has just surpassed Italy to become the world's healthiest country. That's according to the 2019 edition of the Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index, which ranks 169 economies according to factors that contribute to overall health. Spain placed sixth in the previous gauge, published in 2017. Australia ranked seventh in the new index.

The index grades nations based on variables – such as life expectancy – while imposing penalties on risks such as tobacco use and obesity. It also takes into consideration environmental factors, including access to clean water and sanitation.

Four additional European nations were among the top 10: Iceland (third), Switzerland (fifth), Sweden (sixth) and Norway (ninth). Japan was the healthiest Asian nation, jumping three places from the 2017 survey into fourth and replacing Singapore, which dropped to eighth. Israel rounded out the top 10.

South Korea improved seven spots to 17th while China, home to 1.4 billion people, rose three places to 52nd. Life expectancy in China is on track to surpass the US by 2040, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.Sub-Saharan economies accounted for 27 of the 30 unhealthiest nations in the ranking. Haiti, Afghanistan and Yemen were the others. Mauritius was the healthiest in Sub-Sahara, placing 74th globally as it had the lowest death rate by communicable diseases in a region still marred by infectious mortality