Anchor: A recent survey shows that South Korea ranked lower in terms of their perception of well-being than its neighboring countries. Falling below Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia, 86 percent of Korean respondents said they find it hard to enjoy what they do each day and be motivated to achieve their goals.
Our Kim Soyon has more on the latest Global Well-Being Index.
 
Report: A new survey finds that South Koreans' perception of their well-being falls lower than many of their Asian counterparts.
 
U.S.-based Gallup surveyed 133-thousand people aged 15 and older in 135 countries to produce its Global Well-Being Index.
 
The survey found that South Korea ranked 75th in the index of five categories of well-being, which include purpose, social, financial, community and physical. 
 
Asked if they are thriving, struggling, or suffering in the categories, 86 percent of South Korean respondents said they are not thriving in terms of purpose well-being. This means about nine out of ten Koreans find it hard to like what they do each day and be motivated to achieve their goals.
 
About 47 percent of Koreans said they are struggling to have supportive relationships.
 
On the other hand, 37 percent of the Korean respondents said they are thriving financially, or are happy with their current management of economic life to reduce stress and security.
 
Overall, South Korea fell below Japan as the island nation ranked 64th on the index, following behind Taiwan at 55th and Malaysia at 36th.
 
Panamanian respondents scored the highest in the global survey with Syrians and Afghans placed the lowest.
 
With only 17 percent of people in the 135 countries surveyed saying they are thriving in three or more elements, the index emphasizes how most of the world is struggling to achieve high well-being.
Kim Soyon, KBS World Radio News.