According to two reports out this month, Switzerland ranks third in the world as the most “happy country” to live in after Norway and Denmark and it also ranks as the “most competitive country” for the 5th year on the trot. The World Happiness Report which ranked Switzerland third was complied by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the Earth Institute of Columbia University. It puts the country ahead of the US which ranks 17th and the UK which ranks 22nd. France ranks 25th, Germany 26th and the Netherlands is 5th.

Is it the landscape, the lakes, the mountains, the cows or the chocolate ? They may of course be contributing factors – but the data was based on 6 key factors including life expectancy, GDP, freedom to make choices and freedom from corruption as well as generosity. Altogether 156 countries was polled during 2010 – 12  when the report was compiled.

So happy and competitive? What a combination! Surely chocolate must have something to so with it!