Well, this is not the news we wanted to hear just before Paddy's Day.

It's just around the time of year when everyone is telling us how great Ireland is and how they wish they were Irish, too - but in fact, it seems like we're not that happy as a nation overall.

According to the World Happiness Report for 2018, Finland is the happiest country in the world - while Ireland ranks just 14th.

Ahead of Ireland are countries like Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada and Australia - although we are ahead of both the US (18th) and the UK (19th).

The least happy countries, meanwhile, are the politically violent and tumultuous Central African Republic and Burundi.

The report takes into account six factors - levels of GDP, life expectancy, generosity, social support, freedom, and corruption - when ranking each country. On a side note, Ireland was ranked as the 11th country 'most accepting of migrants.'

See the Top 10 below (with last year's ranking in brackets):

1. Finland (5)

2. Norway (1)

3. Denmark (2)

4. Iceland (3)

5. Switzerland (4)

6. Netherlands (6)

7. Canada (7)

8. New Zealand (8)

9. Sweden (10)

10. Australia (9)

 

Don't worry, lads. We'll get our revenge at Eurovision... right?

 

Via The Irish Times