Viet Nam ranked first in Asia and fifth in the world in the 2016 Happy Planet Index, according to the UK-based New Economics Foundation.

The country scored 40.3 points in the index that measured sustainable well-being in 140 countries to show how efficiently residents of different countries are using environmental resources to lead long and happy lives.

Earlier, Viet Nam had ranked second globally in 2012. It has a population of nearly 90 million, with a life expectancy of 75.5 years and per capita GDP of US$ 2,000.

Viet Nam, characterized by its mountains and tropical forests, is one of just three Asian countries in the Top 10 list.  

The index found wealthy western countries, often seen globally as representing success, do not rank highly on the Happy Planet Index.

The Top 10 most happiest countries included Costa Rica; Mexico; Colombia; Vanuatu; Viet Nam; Panama; Nicaragua; Bangladesh; Thailand; and Ecuador.

The index, constructed for a fourth time since 2006, was based on four elements, including well-being, life expectancy, inequality of outcomes, and ecological footprint.

VGP