The Global Prosperity Index, published each year by the London-based Legatum Institute, ranks 149 of the world’s nations according to nine key sub-indices - but with a whopping 104 different “variables”. The usual suspects - GDP, security and quality of healthcare and education - are all accounted for, but there are more intriguing considerations too. “Joy”, “sadness” and “opportunity to make friends” are among the variables, as is access to high-speed internet.

It all adds up to a remarkably thorough pecking order of the world’s happiest, safest, most free and prosperous countries. And the results for 2016 are in (see below for a full ranking).

Auckland, New Zealand: biggest city in the world's most prosperous country Credit: nazmoo - Fotolia/Photographer: NAZPHOTO

New Zealand, few will be surprised to discover, tops the charts - for the fourth year in a row. It scored highest in two sub-indices: Economic Quality and The Social Capital. Norway, the perennial runner-up, came second once again - also for the fourth year running.

Finland - which topped the Governance category - came third, Switzerland - number one for Education - was fourth overall, while Canada completed the top five.

The UK finished 10th for the eighth year running. It performed strongly in the Business and Education sub-indices, placing fifth and sixth, respectively, but fared worse in Health, at 20th.

The US topped the Business category but came 17th overall thanks to its poor scores for Safety & Security (52nd) and Natural Environment (35th).

Luxembourg came first in two sub-indices - Health and Personal Freedom - but came 12th overall after it was marked down for Business (29th) and Education (27th). Singapore (19th overall) topped the Safety & Security category (but was 97th for Personal Freedom), while Slovenia (20th overall) was number one for Natural Environment.

Norway has finished second for four years in a row

Propping up the table, as one would expect, is a clutch of war-torn and impoverished countries. Yemen, Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo fill out the bottom five spots.

Ukraine (107th) was the lowest ranked European country. South Africa (48th) was the highest ranked African country.

Japan came 22nd overall but was a lowly 101st in the Social Capital sub-index. Hong Kong was 23nd overall but 98th for Natural Environment.

Global Prosperity Index - the full ranking

New Zealand Norway Finland Switzerland Canada Australia Netherlands Sweden Denmark United Kingdom Germany Luxembourg Ireland Iceland Austria Belgium United States France Singapore Slovenia Spain Japan Hong Kong Malta Portugal Estonia Czech Republic Uruguay Costa Rica Mauritius Chile Italy Cyprus Poland South Korea Slovakia Latvia Malaysia Panama Israel UAE Lithuania Croatia Greece Trinidad and Tobago Qatar Hungary South Africa Argentina Romania Suriname Brazil Macedonia Botswana Jamaica Sri Lanka Bulgaria Montenegro Ecuador Philippines Indonesia Thailand Dominican Republic Peru Mexico Serbia Bahrain Namibia Nicaragua Oman Kuwait Colombia Paraguay Albania Vietnam Mongolia Kyrgyzstan Turkey Bolivia Guyana Belize Kazakhstan El Salvador Georgia Saudi Arabia Guatemala Ghana Rwanda Jordan China Cambodia Honduras Tunisia Nepal Russia Moldova Kenya Belarus Armenia Tajikistan Morocco Laos Azerbaijan India Lebanon Senegal Ukraine Zambia Tanzania Malawi Algeria Burkina Faso Djibouti Bangladesh Lesotho Uganda Egypt Iran Zimbabwe Gabon Venezuela Mozambique Ivory Coast Madagascar Sierra Leone Togo Cameroon Benin Swaziland Congo Comoros Ethiopia Liberia Mali Nigeria Libya Niger Guinea Pakistan Burundi Angola Mauritania Iraq Chad Democratic Republic of Congo Sudan Central African Republic Afghanistan Yemen

Best for Economic Quality

"The Economic Quality sub-index ranks countries on the openness of their economy, macroeconomic indicators, foundations for growth, economic opportunity, and financial sector efficiency," the website explains.

New Zealand: #1 for Economic Quality Credit: © DPK-Photo / Alamy Stock Photo/DPK-Photo / Alamy Stock Photo

New Zealand Netherlands Sweden Switzerland Germany Denmark Norway Singapore Luxembourg United Kingdom

Best for Business Environment

"The Business Environment sub-index measures a country’s entrepreneurial environment, its business infrastructure, barriers to innovation, and labour market flexibility."

The US is top for Business Environment Credit: Sergey Borisov/Sergey Borisov

United States New Zealand Canada Hong Kong United Kingdom Singapore Australia Finland Switzerland Norway

Best for Governance

"The Governance subindex measures a country’s performance in three areas: effective governance, democracy and political participation, and rule of law."

Finland: first for Governance

Finland New Zealand Norway Netherlands Sweden Switzerland Denmark Luxembourg Canada Germany

Best for Education

"The Education sub-index ranks countries on access to education, quality of education, and human capital."

Lausanne, Switzerland Credit: Edgie - Fotolia

Switzerland Netherlands Finland Australia Norway United Kingdom Ireland United States Belgium Singapore

Best for Health

"The Health sub-index measures a country’s performance in three areas: basic physical and mental health, health infrastructure, and preventative care."

Luxembourg: best for Health

Luxembourg Singapore Switzerland Japan Netherlands Sweden Hong Kong Australia Israel Germany

Best for Safety & Security

"The Safety & Security sub-index ranks countries based on national security and personal safety."

The world's safest country? Singapore Credit: Noppasinw - Fotolia

Singapore Luxembourg Japan Iceland Denmark Norway Germany Switzerland Austria Sweden

Best for Personal Freedom

"The Personal Freedom sub-index measures national progress towards basic legal rights, individual freedoms, and social tolerance."

Luxembourg was also top for Personal Freedom Credit: Getty

Luxembourg Canada New Zealand Iceland Ireland Uruguay Netherlands Finland Belgium Portugal

Best for Social Capital

"The Social Capital sub-index measures the strength of personal relationships, social network support, social norms, and civic participation in a country."

Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand Credit: Jiri Foltyn - Fotolia

New Zealand Australia Canada United States Iceland Norway Denmark Malta Germany Ireland

Best for Natural Environment

"The Natural Environment sub-index measures a country’s performance in three areas: the quality of the natural environment, environmental pressures, and preservation efforts."

Slovenia: #1 for Natural Environment Credit: Riviera Travel