Jamaica has failed to advance in its ranking on the World Happiness Report, falling five places on the 2023 report published on Monday (March 20).

Jamaica ranked 68th out of 137 countries featured in this year’s report. The placement was a marked decline in the country’s ranking compared to last year, ranking 63 of 146 countries globally.

In the Caribbean region, Jamaica and Dominica Republic were the only two Caribbean countries that made the list.

Jamaica secured the best ranking with a 5.703 score out of a potential 10 points ahead of the Dominica Republic, which ranked 73 on the list with 5.569 points.

The level of happiness of countries globally was measured based on a life evaluation scale from zero (negative affect) to 10 (positive affect).

European countries dominated the list as being the happiest countries globally. Finland secured the number-one spot on the list for the sixth consecutive year with a 7.804 score. Finland was followed closely by Denmark with a score of 7.586, Iceland (7.530), Isreal (7.473) and Netherlands (7.403).

Afghanistan was at the bottom of the list with a score of 1. 859.

Countries are ranked in the report based on the variables (GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity and perception of corruption).

The World Happiness Report is published annually on March 20 by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network to commemorate the International Day of Happiness.