Pakistan ranked 16th amongst 151 countries of the world on the Happy Planet Index (HPI) 2012, beating India and the United States who ranked 32nd and 105th, respectively. Costa Rica was termed the happiest country, followed by Vietnam and Colombia. The HPI was calculated using life expectancy, experienced well-being and ecological footprint (per capita) of the countries with data collected from various sources including UNDP and Gallup. The index was compiled by New Economics Foundation (NEF).
The life expectancy and experienced well-being of Pakistan was found to be mediocre, but the ecological footprint was termed “good”. The total HPI of Pakistan was calculated to be 54.1. Israel landed just one spot above Pakistan, having “good” life expectancy and experienced well-being, but a “poor” ecological footprint. Bangladesh was higher up on the scale at 11, with the first two factors rated as “mediocre” and the footprint as “good”. India was found to have mediocre life expectancy and well-being and a “good” ecological footprint. However, its total HPI amounted to 50.9. Afghanistan was ranked 109. The only reason why the US scored low was its ecological footprint which was worse than the “poor” category. The life expectancy and experienced well-being were, however, ranked “good”.