The unhappiest place to live in the UK: results of the rating

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) was surveyed to identify the least happy place in the UK. The data revealed the regions where people are less cheerful.

According to the study's results, the happiest place was also identified, as reported by Essexlive. To discover how the regions of Great Britain rank in this list, continue reading the article.

On average, the British rated their happiness at a reasonably good level of 7.39 for the year ending March 2023.

According to the ONS, the worst place was found in Essex. Experts suggest that various difficulties may contribute to this, such as a decrease in the family budget, the resignations of two prime ministers, dire warnings of climate disaster, and the war in Ukraine. Strikes, the National Health Service crisis, and street rallies also played a role.

The happiness level was noted to be lowest in Tendring, where residents rated their happiness at 7.06 - the lowest in Essex and significantly lower than the national average (7.48). According to the latest ONS data, Tendring is home to 145,803 people.

It was also revealed that the happiness level was lower than before the pandemic (7.51) and during the quarantine (7.30). Chelmsford in Essex emerged as the most optimistic place to live, with residents rating their happiness at an average of 7.79 points.

In the ranking, the Shetland Islands, the northernmost part of the UK, claimed the top spot as the happiest place with 8.22 points.

Following closely is Na h Eilean Siar, also known as the Outer Hebrides or Western Isles, another chain of islands off the coast of Scotland, where residents rate their happiness at 8.12.

North Kesteven in Lincolnshire secured the third spot for the happiest place (8.09).

Mid Sussex witnessed the most significant increase in mood, rising from 7.0 in the year ending March 2022 to 7.96.

The least cheerful people reside in Adur - 6.16, Hastings - 6.56, Lincoln - 6.57. Among these data, married individuals (7.69) are happier than single people (7.08), non-smokers (7.48) are happier than smokers (6.73), and pensioners (7.72) are happier than those employed (7.39) or unemployed (6.79).

Interestingly, individuals aged 70 to 74 consider themselves happy with 7.69 points, while the least happy are young people aged 16 to 19.

The satisfaction level has decreased from 7.54 to 7.45, and the feeling that things done in life are worthwhile has dropped from 7.77 to 7.73.

Simultaneously, the level of anxiety has increased from 3.12 to 3.23, which is lower than during the pandemic but higher than every other year since the survey's inception in 2011-2012.