These Are The Happiest And The Unhappiest Places In The UK

In a time when it seems like anxiety levels are skyrocketing and doom-and-gloom news detailing the state of the world comes hurtling in at quite a rate, it’s heartening to hear that Britain’s happiness rating has gone up a notch. And it’s all thanks to the people of Scotland.

Results from the latest annual well-being survey from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) clearly state that Scotland has improved its average ratings of life satisfaction, worthwhileness and happiness. Sadly, the same can’t be said for our friends across the borders in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who have not demonstrated any overall changes.

While there were no significant changes in ratings of anxiety across Scotland, the other Scottish results were enough to fill the UK with more sunshine, making it a much happier place in general!

Through conducting an analysis by country, the survey provides estimates of personal well-being in the UK. One aim is to detect and pinpoint various inequalities that exist within society so that they can be investigated and hopefully improved.

Silvia Manclossi, Head of Quality of Life Team at the ONS, said that ‘over this period we have seen some differences between countries, with Scotland driving improvements in personal well-being in the UK.’

The well-being of society is attained by exploring four key measures: are you satisfied with your life; are the things you do worthwhile; how happy are you; how anxious are you?

Statistics show that from March 2012 to December 2017, Scotland has increased in terms of life satisfaction (7.51 to 7.72), worthwhileness (7.68 to 7.88) and happiness (7.31 to 7.51), while anxiety has decreased (3.06 to 2.9).

Meanwhile, the Welsh appear to be the unhappiest of the lot with low levels of life satisfaction, worthwhileness and happiness, when compared with the UK average.

The ONS accredit three telling factors when measuring well-being – employment status, self-reported health and relationship status. On the other hand, the precise reasons as to why the Scots are a more jovial bunch are not divulged in the survey report.

Some may argue that it’s all down to Scotland’s pioneering stance on tackling social problems like alcoholism, period poverty and homelessness – a new village for members of the homeless community has just opened in Edinburgh. Then again, the Scots do have their fair share of spellbinding scenery and a natural oasis basking around every far-flung corner. Once more, there’s no denying the fierce sense of community and camaraderie that thrives within Scottish culture.

Whatever the reason, leave it up to the Scots to single-handedly change the status quo by just being happy. As for the rest of the UK…chin up!

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.