F OR A COUNTRY known for long winters and high taxes, Finland appears remarkably chipper. On March 20th it came top of the World Happiness Report, an annual UN -backed study, notching its eighth consecutive win ahead of 146 other countries. Not far behind it were Denmark, Iceland and Sweden. What makes the Nordics so happy?

Finland has been ranked as the world's happiest country for the eighth successive year, with experts citing access to nature and a strong welfare system as factors. It came ahead of three other Nordic countries in this year's UN-sponsored World Happiness Report,

For the eighth year in a row, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world, while the United States hits a new low.