Azerbaijan at 80th Place in World Happiness Index
The World Happiness Index in 2015 has been reported. It was developed in the decision-making network for sustainable development (SDSN) under the auspices of the UN.
SDSN consists of representatives from academia, government and the private sector. For the first time the Happiness Index was compiled in 2012.
During the preparation of the annual ranking experts study the situation in 158 countries and its purpose is to influence public policy. The study is based on data from Gallup World Poll and takes into account factors such as per capita GDP at purchasing power parity, the social support level (if there is anybody on whom a person could rely in trouble), life expectancy at birth (WHO data), the personal freedom level, the generosity and philanthropy level, the perception of corruption, and the reasons for joy or concern in the days preceding the poll. The index is based on data for the years 2012-2014.
"More and more happiness is considered to be an adequate measure of social progress and the goal of public policy. Rapidly growing is the number of national and local authorities using the index of happiness and the results of this study in the search for measures to improve the lives of people," the report on SDSN says.
The list of leaders is headed by Switzerland, Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Canada. It is completed by Togo, Burundi, Syria, Benin and Rwanda.
Azerbaijan took the 80th place in the ranking, as well as last year. It was ahead of countries such as Pakistan, Serbia, Latvia, China and Romania, but behind Turkey, Turkmenistan, Estonia, Belarus and Russia.
Far behind are the South Caucasian neighbors: Armenia occupied the 127th place, and Georgia was the 130th. -0-
Economics
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Azerbaijan's financial standing continues to strengthen as the country's foreign currency reserves have surged to $71 billion as of January 1, 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance. This figure, which includes reserves held by the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) and the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA), far exceeds the nation's external debt, which stands at a fraction of its reserves, specifically nearly 14 times less. This robust reserve position reflects Azerbaijan's fiscal stability and the government’s strategic economic management.
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According to operational data from the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan, in January 2025, the country produced 2.3 million tons of oil, including condensate, and 3.9 billion cubic meters of gas.
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The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) has opened a representative office in Albania and is set to launch a specific project this year, the Albanian company "Albgaz" announced.
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"Azerbaijan is currently among 54 middle-income countries," said Shahmar Movsumov, head of the Economic Affairs and Innovative Development Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, during the presentation of the World Bank’s World Development Report 2024 in Baku on February 10.
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