West Berkshire fourth happiest area in the UK, new study says
West Berkshire is the fourth happiest place in the UK, a new study has said.
It ranked local authorities based on the levels of happiness and well-being of residents.
This area was beaten only by Ribble Valley, in Lancashire; Wokingham; and Mole Valley, in Surrey, according to the study by GoSmokeFree.
Factors ranging from crime rates to economic indicators from the ONS and the Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) were analysed and each area was given a score out of 100.
The report’s authors said this allowed them to crown “the happiest local authorities in the country where people are more likely to be stress and anxiety-free”.
West Berkshire received a score of 70.16 out of 100.
Here we have a crime rate 60.8 incidents per 1,000 population and an abundance of green and blue spaces, at 127.4 hectares per 1,000 population – the second highest in the top 10.
It has one of the highest economically active percentages, at 63 per cent, while our unemployment rate is 2.6, one of the higher figures in the top tier.
The weekly earning rates of people in West Berkshire is £779.50 – sitting midway through the top 10.
A spokesperson for GoSmokeFree said: “The study highlights the multifaceted nature of happiness and well-being and emphasises the importance of considering various factors in assessing quality of life.
“This data also wants to underline that this top 10 coincides with the areas where the population can conduct a life which is more stress-free than others, making, in turn, more likely a reduction of the risk of criminality, smoking and drug use, as well as depression and other mental health conditions.
“While this is not an absolute rule, it’s important to give credit where credit is due, recognising the significance of these places’ commitment to provide a happy environment to live in.”
The study added that the findings also “underscore the significance of economic prosperity in shaping residents' happiness and satisfaction with their living conditions”.
