These Are the Happiest Countries , on Earth in 2024.
The World Happiness Report
was released on March 20.
It was compiled using global survey data based on life evaluations from 2021 to 2023.
Six key variables were considered:
"GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and
perceptions of corruption," CNN reports. .
The 10 happiest countries in the world are:.
Australia.
Switzerland.
Luxembourg.
Norway.
Netherlands.
Israel.
Sweden.
Iceland.
Denmark.
Finland.
The United States dropped to No. 23.
The lowest-ranked countries for
happiness are Congo, Sierra Leone,
Lesotho, Lebanon and Afghanistan. .
The lowest-ranked countries for
happiness are Congo, Sierra Leone,
Lesotho, Lebanon and Afghanistan. .
The lowest-ranked countries for
happiness are Congo, Sierra Leone,
Lesotho, Lebanon and Afghanistan. .
The lowest-ranked countries for
happiness are Congo, Sierra Leone,
Lesotho, Lebanon and Afghanistan. .
The lowest-ranked countries for
happiness are Congo, Sierra Leone,
Lesotho, Lebanon and Afghanistan.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Cost of Easter Eggs Rises , As Climate Change Affects Crops.
Most of the cocoa that is used to make chocolate
is grown in West Africa where a heat wave has damaged crops and cut yields, BBC reports.
This has caused the cost of some
Easter eggs to increase by 50% or more.
According to the World Weather Attribution group, the high temperatures in West Africa "were made 10 times more likely" by human-induced climate change.
According to the World Weather Attribution group, the high temperatures in West Africa "were made 10 times more likely" by human-induced climate change.
The group's study determined that West Africa will experience severe heat waves close to every two years if action is not taken. .
El Niño was also found to have played a role, although "global warming is exacerbating those changes," BBC reports. .
Increasingly, climate change driven
by fossil fuel use is multiplying this natural
challenge in many regions. It fuels more
extreme conditions, devastates harvests,
and makes food costs higher for all. , Ben Clarke, an expert on extreme weather at the
Grantham Institute at Imperial College, via BBC.
Intense rains have also plagued West Africa,
leading to a fungal infection that rots cocoa beans. .
Intense rains have also plagued West Africa,
leading to a fungal infection that rots cocoa beans. .
The cost of chocolate is starting
to be affected in shops. .
Lots of players who have already
announced price increases.
We are also part of that group, Martin Hug, of chocolate maker Lindt & Spruengli, via BBC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Extreme Weather Behind, Record High, Cocoa Prices .
Markets Insider reports that the price of cocoa
has hit an all-time high, which threatens to
raise prices for chocolate-lovers everywhere. .
Over the past year,
the price of cocoa
has doubled. .
On February 8, the most active
futures contract for cocoa
hit $5,600 per metric ton. .
According to Bloomberg,
that's the highest price the
contract has ever reached. .
Extreme weather events devastated
crops in West Africa, where most
of the world sources its cocoa beans.
Extreme weather events devastated
crops in West Africa, where most
of the world sources its cocoa beans.
Increased rain spread a crop disease that reduced yields, followed by dry weather
that threatens to further cut production.
Earlier this week, Paul Davis, the president
of the European Cocoa Association, said that
he considers it possible that prices will
continue to climb over $6,000 per ton.
We've got headwinds all over
the place at the moment.
Very expensive fertilizers,
tough conditions for farmers,
tough conditions for consumers, Paul Davis, President of the European
Cocoa Association, via Markets Insider.
Markets Insider reports that the rising cost of
cocoa has impacted chocolate makers like Hershey,
who are bracing for reduced earnings in 2024.
We are in a very tight balance.
There is no cavalry that's
coming to the rescue, Paul Davis, President of the European
Cocoa Association, via Markets Insider.
Crops around the world have been impacted
by extreme weather, with damaged harvests
bringing the cost of sugar, orange juice
and olive oil to multi-year highs in 2023. .
Crops around the world have been impacted
by extreme weather, with damaged harvests
bringing the cost of sugar, orange juice
and olive oil to multi-year highs in 2023. .
Crops around the world have been impacted
by extreme weather, with damaged harvests
bringing the cost of sugar, orange juice
and olive oil to multi-year highs in 2023.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published