The ‘Canaries’ of England has been named the happiest place to live (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
When it comes to the happiest places to live, we might often conjure up images of the Nordic countries – as for eight years now, Finland has trumped the global rankings.
Comparatively, the UK might seem like a pretty depressing place to exist. Between 2024 and 2025, it slipped down once again on the World Happiness Report, from 20th to 23rd.
Not all Brits walk around with a black cloud over their heads though, as new data has revealed the happiest (and equally, the most miserable) places to live.
Coming up trumps with the highest score was the South West of England, which stretches across Bristol, Cornwall, Dorset, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire.
The study granted the area a mean score of 7.6 out of 10, assessing happiness levels of its residents between October and December 2024, as well as anxiety and life satisfaction across the rest of the UK.
While it might not be a solid 8 or 9, it’s certainly higher than the likes of the North East, North West, and West Midlands, which were all given the joint lowest (and arguably, most miserable) score of 7.3. Ouch.
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The numbers also crunched happiness levels by age and gender. It turns out that men and women are equally content across the UK, as both were afforded a score of 7.4 by the ONS.
With so much beauty, it’s little surprise the South West is so happy (Picture: Getty Images)
And it’s good news on the age front too, as happiness levels actually seemed to increase amongst the older populations.
Between the ages of 65 and 89 – a solid 24 years, spread across four separate age cohorts – UK citizens were their happiest with a mean score of 7.8.
At the other end of the spectrum, teenagers these days have it rough – as between the ages of 16 and 19, happiness levels are only 7.2 – the lowest of any age group.
Things get slightly better in your 20s though, as those aged from 20 up to 39 (spread across the categories of 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, and 35-39) all enjoyed a score of 7.4.
So, what’s doing it for the South West? And how can we all radiate a little bit more, well, joy?
Why are people so happy in the South West?
It’s little surprise that people in the South West are so carefree.
After all, with sprawling beaches across Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, spiritual grounds like Glastonbury Tor in Somerset, and endless culture in Bristol, there’s plenty to be getting on with.
Over on Reddit, residents of the South West have previously debated just what life is like there – and many agreed that it’s got something a little bit special.
On the furthest tip of Cornwall specifically, @Green7501 said life was a ‘very rural style,’ adding that people are ‘far more interconnected, with relationships built on trust.’
Bristol is also full of culture (Picture: Getty Images)
‘More shopping is done directly through farmers or smaller general stores…but there is little to nothing to do if you’re a city person used to constant stimulations,’ they penned, while another commenter added that some parts even looked like ‘they’re in the Canaries.’
Elsewhere, Cornwall and Devon specifically were described as ‘lovely,’ applauded for their ‘beautiful scenery, coastline and good weather.’
‘It’s a pretty friendly part of the world, too…inland the towns and countryside have a good mix of people and still feel properly lived in for the most part,’ @ThinkDiffident added.
Bristol was commended for having its own unique ‘atmosphere,’ as one previous resident said they loved the ‘food variety,’ as well as the ‘street art and music scene’ and ‘great education and job opportunities.’
‘I also LOVE Bristol in summer. I don’t know how to perfectly describe why it’s special, but it’s that traditional flowery green sunny West Country summer with an energetic urban twist,’ they added. ‘Such a vibe!’
House prices in the South West
While there’s a strong sense of community across the South West of England, sadly, the house prices clearly aren’t a contributing factor towards happiness levels. Unless you’re wealthy enough to afford them, that is.
According to Rightmove, the average property went for £360,088 over the last year, which vastly exceeds the figures across the UK (£268,250, data from Zoopla shows).
Likewise, areas like Devon and Cornwall are particularly popular with second homeowners – and this has caused tension with locals, many of whom feel priced out of the area.
That said, property across Cornwall isn’t the cheapest (Picture: Getty Images)
This is in spite of extra measures from Cornwall and East Devon Councils, which both introduced an additional 100% council tax premium in April.
In December 2024, a staggering 14,000 second homes were sitting empty in Cornwall specifically – and this was specifically because locals were struggling to afford the hefty costs.
In 2022, holiday homes were even graffitied, with one property in St Agnes tarnished with the words: ‘Second home owners give something back: Rent or sell your empty houses to local people at a fair price.’
‘No more investment properties,’ another exterior wall read.
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