Pakistan among top 20 gainers in UN World Happiness Index

A man rides a bicycle in Charsadda, on the outskirts of Peshawar, on March 19, 2019. Despite the country's economic and political woes, Pakistanis are among the happiest in the world, according to a UN happiness report. (REUTERS/Fayaz Aziz)

Pakistani children while the time away a Christian neighborhood in Islamabad on March 19, 2019. Despite the country's economic and political woes, Pakistanis are among the happiest in the world, according to a UN happiness report. (REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro)

• The country is leading in happiness score in its South Asian neighborhood
• India was named among the 20 biggest losers

ISLAMABAD: Despite being faced by a range of economic, political and security-related challenges, Pakistan has jumped eight spots on the United Nation's World Happiness Index this year and is among the top 20 gainers.

According to the United Nations World Happiness Report, Pakistan is also leading in happiness scores in its South Asian neighborhood.

Meanwhile, arch-rival India was named among the 20 biggest losers after it dropped seven spots from last year to 140 on the list.

Arab News took to the streets of Islamabad to ask people how they pursue happiness and the factors due to which Pakistan is being perceived more and more positively around the world.