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Where the U.S. and Hoosiers stand on happiness 

Noon Edition airs on Fridays at noon on WFIU.

The United States once again has made the top 20 in the World Happiness Report but ranks below many of its counterparts.  

The World Happiness Report measures countries’ average life evaluations and the positive and negative emotions each year. These factors are based on six different variables: GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social support, generosity, freedom to make life choices, and freedom from corruption. The United States ranks 15th.   

Notable countries that rank ahead of the U.S. include its neighbors to the North and many Nordic countries such as Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Norway. Australia and New Zealand also rank above the U.S.  

According to the World Population Review, Indiana ranks 32nd among all U.S. states. Indiana ranked 32nd in emotional and physical well-being, 17th in work environment, and 25th in community and environment.   

This Friday on Noon Edition, we will talk with guests about these numbers, ways to increase happiness, and more.    

You can follow us on Twitter at @NoonEdition or join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to news@indianapublicmedia.org.   

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Nathan Moore is a producer for Noon Edition for WFIU. He previously was a programming director for WIUX and an Investigative Reporter for Indiana’s Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism. He is studying Broadcast Journalism and Marketing at Indiana University and will graduate this upcoming fall.