Alaska residents had the highest well-being in the nation in 2014, according to a Gallup-Healthways survey. This is the first time the Alaska ranked first since Gallup and Healthways began tracking well-being in 2008.
According to the report, the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index score consists of metrics affecting overall well-being and each of the five essential elements of well-being, including:
1. Purpose: Liking what you do each day and feeling motivated to achieve your goals
2. Social: Having support relationships and love in your life
3. Financial: Managing your economic life to reduce stress and increase security
4. Community: Liking where you live, feeling safe, and having pride in your community
5. Physical: Having good health and enough energy to complete daily tasks
The well-being measurements are part of Gallup's annual "State of the States" series. Results are based on telephone interviews conducted between January and December 2014 among a random sample of 176,702 adults ages 18 and older living in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
According to the survey, West Virginia and Kentucky ranked 50th and 49th, respectively for the sixth consecutive year. Hawaii and Colorado made the top 10 list of highest well-being states this year for the seventh year in a row.
The 10 states with the highest well-being in 2014 are:
1. Alaska
2. Hawaii
3. South Dakota
4. Wyoming
5. Montana
6. Colorado
7. Nebraska
8. Utah
9. New Mexico
10. Texas
The 10 states with the lowest well-being in 2014 are:
50. West Virginia
49. Kentucky
48. Indiana
47. Ohio
46. Mississippi
45. Alabama
44. Tennessee
43. Arkansas
42. Michigan
41. Missouri