“In general, the most prosperous (thus ‘happiest’ in my book) countries enjoy stable political institutions, a strong
civil society with freedom of expression, good education and healthcare, personal freedom, and a feeling of being safe and secure,” observes Christopher Helman on Forbes.com.
The United States slipped to No. 12 in the Entrepreneurship & Opportunity category “due to a decline in citizens’ perception that working hard gets you ahead,” the Legatum’s report states.