Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – If you’ve been feeling a little exhausted or stressed lately, you certainly aren’t alone in the Natural State.
According to a new study released by personal finance website WalletHub, Arkansas ranks as one of the least happy states in the country, landing at a ranking of 48th out of 50.
To determine where Americans exhibit the best combination of economic, emotional, physical, and social health, WalletHub compared all 50 states metrics divided into three major dimensions: Emotional & Physical Well-Being, Work Environment, and Community & Environment.
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Overall, Arkansas received a total score of just 38.44 out of 100, with Louisiana (49th; 34.49) and West Virginia (50th; 31.88) trailing behind it. Here is a breakdown of where the state ranked in the three main dimensions:
- Emotional & Physical Well-Being: 47th
- Work Environment: 47th
- Community & Environment: 30th
WalletHub reported the state ranked near the very bottom in several lifestyle factors, tying for 45th in adequate-sleep rate and coming in 49th for sports participation rate. Additionally, the study pointed to concerns about violent and property crimes, with Arkansas ranking 46th in the “safety” metric.
“The happiest states are those that provide above-average quality of life in a wide variety of areas, from strong state economies and great physical and mental healthcare to adequate amounts of leisure time and good weather,” analyst Chip Lupo said in the report. He noted that while money can’t entirely buy happiness, having enough financial security to live comfortably remains essential to overall well-being.
Read the full report here.
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