Britain’s happiest borough, in line with knowledge – and the picturesque seaside district that is technically probably the most depressing! Map reveals happiness scores throughout all of UK

It might boast charming views of the idyllic South Downs and be home to a 3-mile stretch of coastline loved by tourists. 

But that does not mean much for residents of Adur, given it’s title of Britain’s most miserable district. 

According to a massive Government-funded project tracking happiness levels, the Shetland Islands is technically the happiest place in the UK.

Residents living in the remote Scottish archipelago scored an average of 8.22 on the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) happiness index. 

On the other hand, Adur’s comparitive figure was 6.16. 

Adur, ran by a Labour council, is home to the popular seaside town of Shoreham-by-Sea as well as Southwick, Lancing and Sompting. It is sandwiched between Worthing and Brighton in West Sussex.

Full results of the ONS survey, involving tens of thousands of Brits every year, are available in MailOnline’s interactive map. 

Average happiness scores across the UK as a whole dropped to 7.39 last year – the lowest figure logged since 2020/21, when Covid spawned.

Statisticians did not indicate what specifically could be behind the drop.

Although, the data covers the period in which Britain was plunged into a cost of living crisis.

Studies have also suggested Covid and the knock-on effects of restrictions caused mental and physical health to plummet. 

Na h-Eileanan Siar — the Outer Hebrides — was the second happiest at 8.12. 

It was followed by North Kesteven in Lincolnshire (8.09), Pendle, Lancashire (8.06) and the Malvern Hills (8.06), which sit across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and northern Gloucestershire.

After Adur at the other end of the scale came Hastings (6.56) and Eastbourne (6.57), both of which are in East Sussex.

Every year, the ONS compiles scores on life satisfaction, sense of worth, happiness and anxiety across Britain. 

The four personal well-being questions, include: ‘How satisfied are you with your life nowadays?’.

Volunteers are also asked: ‘To what extent do you feel the things you do in your life are worthwhile?’, ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’ and ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’.

On average, the UK scored 7.39 out of 10 for happiness, a drop on the 7.45 logged in 2021/22. 

Excluding the first year of the pandemic, the figure is the lowest recorded since 2013/14.

Overall, 8.9 per cent of people reported low levels of happiness — up from 8.5 per cent during the previous year.

Life satisfaction and feelings of achieving something worthwhile also fell to 7.45 and 7.73 respectively, compared to 7.54 and 7.77 in the year ending March 2022.

Anxiety levels, meanwhile, rose from 3.12 to 3.23. Apart from the year Covid hit, this was the highest figure on record.

But statistically significant changes were only seen across the measures for England.

Lack of statistical significance in changes in the devolved countries may be because of less data collected, the ONS noted, concluding there was less certainty in its estimates.

Yesterday, separate data named Woodbridge in Suffolk as being the happiest place to live in Britain. 

It topped a  poll after residents scored it highly for community spirit and friendliness – and a feeling they could be themselves there. 

The upmarket town was also hailed for access to essential services such as doctors and schools, according to property website Rightmove, which compiled the report.

The London borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, top last year, was second, while Hexham in Northumberland was third.