Bangladesh 41st in 'Happy Planet Index'
The Daily Star, July 22, 2006

Bangladesh has ranked 41st among 178 countries in the "Happy Planet Index" leaving behind many advanced and most advanced countries of the world, including the UK and the USA.

The Happy Planet Index, an innovative new index from London-based New Economics Foundation (NEF) launched on July 12, is the first to combine environmental impact with well-being to measure the environmental efficiency with which countries provide long and happy lives.

The NEF said the results are surprising, even shocking. The ranking unmasks a very different world order to that promoted by self-appointed global leaders, the G8. For example, the UK is a disappointing 108th and the USA fares still worse at 150th on the index.

The index is based on three indicators: life satisfaction, life expectancy and ecological footprint--a measure of people's use of environmental goods and services.

Vanuatu, a Melanesian island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean, captured the first position in the ranking while Zimbabwe the last.

A new global measure of progress, the Happy Planet Index reveals for the first time that happiness does not have to cost the Earth. It shows that people can live long happy lives without using more than their fair share of the Earth's resources.

The new international ranking of the environmental impact and well-being reveals "a very different picture of the wealth, and poverty, of nations", the NEF said.

Happy Planet Index 2006
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