Why so sad? Hong Kong sinks in 2015 World Happiness Index, but stays ahead of mainland China
Hongkongers are getting less happy by the year, with the city again slipping in the latest UN-backed World Happiness Report.
The study is based on factors such as gross domestic product per capita and life expectancy, as well as surveys asking thousands of people their views on matters such as freedom, generosity, social support and corruption.
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While the city scores well for GDP and life expectancy, it did less well on subjective questions. Overall, it scored 5.747 on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being happiest.
The findings echo those of studies conducted locally, including one in February by City University expert Professor Dennis Wong Sing-wing, which found Hongkongers were less happy even than during the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003. Wong cited political discord and the cost of housing as the biggest factors.
Hong Kong's regional rival Singapore ranked first in Asia and 24th overall, jumping six places from the previous study.