Romania's children are the happiest in the world

We like to think our children are the happiest they can be, but are they the happiest in the world?

New research completed by Goethe University surveyed 53,000 children between the ages of 10 and 12 to see just how happy they were.

15 countries took part in the survey... and the UK didn't come out on top. Romania did.

The top spot was shortly followed by cheerful kids in Colombia, Israel third and Algeria fourth. The UK came in second from last.

The report surveyed children on their home and family life, money and possessions, friends and relationships, school, their local area and their own self.

Children were given questionnaires and were also asked about psychological wellbeing as well as overall satisfaction.

The researchers concluded overall that generally children were more satisfied with their family and friendships than with other aspects of their lives such as school and their local area.

There were variations between countries. In the three African countries surveyed, school was more prominent among the aspects that children were most satisfied with.

Differences between girls and boys were looked at, and while girls tended to be more positive about their school lives, boys placed more happiness on playing sport and exercising.

The most notable differences in gender were revealed in the children's answers to questions about their view of themselves. In five European countries and South Korea, girls were significantly less satisfied with their appearance and body than boys.

So from happiest to children to least happy children, here are how the countries ranked.

1. Romania

2. Colombia

3. Israel

4. Algeria

5. Turkey

6. Norway

7. Estonia

8. Spain

9. Germany

10. Ethiopia

11. South Africa

12. Nepal

13. Poland

14. United Kingdom

15. South Korea