Barking and Dagenham rated highest for happiness among all London boroughs in the year ending March 2022, figures suggest.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released data providing estimates of personal wellbeing for each borough across the country.

The statistics come from the Annual Population Survey, which asks personal wellbeing questions to adults.

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An average rating out of ten was then given for each borough across four categories.

Barking and Dagenham was rated as London's happiest borough between April 2021 and March 2022, with a score of 7.77 out of ten.

When quizzed on why the borough was the capital's happiest, both of its MPs hailed its sense of community.

Jon Cruddas, who represents the Dagenham and Rainham constituency, said: "This is a testament to the spirit and resilience of the people of Barking and Dagenham.

"In times when so many people are struggling, we see locally how our community comes together.

"This can be seen in the number of people who came forward to volunteer during the Covid pandemic and in the work of the local foodbanks." 

Dame Margaret Hodge, Barking MP, added: “For me, this data is no surprise at all. I have always known that the strength of our community in Barking and Dagenham make it London’s best borough.”

Council leader Darren Rodwell said the borough's residents have "known all along, that despite all the deprivation, we are the happiest people in the capital".

Survey respondees were asked to answer four questions on a scale of zero to ten: "Overall, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays? Overall, to what extent do you feel the things you do in your life are worthwhile?

"Overall, how happy did you feel yesterday? Overall, how anxious did you feel yesterday?"

In the anxiety category, a higher score denoted higher levels of anxiety.

Havering scored highest among east London boroughs in this category with a score of 3.15 out of ten.

Barking and Dagenham was lowest with a rating of 2.5.

Newham was highest in east London for life worthwhileness (7.83), followed by Barking and Dagenham (7.82) and Havering (7.75).

The UK average for life satisfaction (7.54), happiness (7.45) and worthwhileness (7.77) all rose on the previous year while the average for anxiety (3.12) fell.

The full breakdown by east London borough (all scores out of ten):

Happiness 

Barking and Dagenham: 7.77

Havering: 7.41

Newham: 7.71

Redbridge: 7.29

Tower Hamlets: 7.43

Anxiety

Barking and Dagenham: 2.5

Havering: 3.15

Newham: 2.64

Redbridge: 3.06

Tower Hamlets: 2.62

Worthwhileness

Barking and Dagenham: 7.82

Havering: 7.75

Newham: 7.83

Redbridge: 7.55

Tower Hamlets: 7.64

Life satisfaction

Barking and Dagenham: 7.6

Havering: 7.57

Newham: 7.7

Redbridge: 7.57

Tower Hamlets: 7.62

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