Australians--- The World's Happiest Nation

Despite some signs of a slowing economy, Australia has once again been crowned the world's happiest nation, based on on criteria including income, jobs, housing and health. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Better Life Index, Australia has managed to retain the top spot for the third year ruinning ahead of Sweden and Canada. The Index ranks 34 countries that are the members of OECD, which brings together most of the world's developed economies and a number of emerging economies, plus key partners Beazil and Russia. Over time, the Index is expected to expand to cover the OECD four other key partners, China, India, Indonesia and South Africa. "Australia performs exceptionally well in measures of well-being, as shown by the fact that it ranks among the top countries in a large number of topics in the Better Life Index," the OECD said. In Australia, the average household net-adjusted disposable income is $28,884 a year, more than the OECD average of $ 23,047 a year. Regarding the public sphere, there is a strong sense of community and high level of civic participation in Australia, where 94 % of people believe they know someone they could rely on in the time of need, higher than the average of OECD of 90 %. In terms of employment, over 73 % of people aged 15-64 in Australia have a paid job, above the OECD employment average 66 per cent.