Northern Ireland Tourist Board
No. 5: Northern Ireland
Only 10 years ago, Northern Ireland was wracked by grisly religious violence known as "The Troubles" that killed thousands of Catholic Nationalists and Protestant Unionists. Now, thanks to peace, Northern Ireland—officially a "constituent country" of Britain—has emerged just ahead of Ireland to occupy fifth place among the world's happiest countries. Since the start of ceasefires in the 1990s, millions of British pounds have been invested in the regeneration of Northern Ireland's infrastructure, and a newfound pride and optimism is keeping young talent from emigrating. Like Ireland, the strengthening economy also is attracting foreign labor.
