Dutch children have been rated the most fortunate children in Europe. Their parents go out of their way to please them, and teachers expect less of them than some of their European counterparts.

The German researchers studied children in 21 industrialised countries on the basis of six criteria: material wealth, health, education, relationships, safety and their own feelings of luck. The Netherlands has come top of a league table for child well-being across 21 industrialised countries.

Swedish and Finnish children were in second and third place. American children were bottom of the list where boys and girls are the most negative about their current situation and future possibilities.

Surveys by Britain’s Child Poverty Action Group, Unicef International and the World Health Organisation have all reached similar conclusions about Dutch children.

This is the second time Dutch children ranked happiest in Europe.

The happiest children
1 Netherlands
2 Sweden
3 Finland
4 Norway
5 Spain
6 Switzerland
7 Denmark
8 Germany
9 Belgium
10 Poland
11 Ireland
12 Czech Republic
13 Portugal
14 Austria
15 France
16 Italy
17 Canada
18 Greece
19 Hungary
20 Great Britain
21 United States

Source: Unicef

This was reported on the Sugababes website of the trio that the current line-up of the Sugababes has disbanded.

Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah will continue as the Sugababes and will be joined by new member Jade Ewan, the British winner of Eurovision song contest.

Buchanan was the last remaining original member of Sugababes. The group was founded in 1998 by Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhan Donaghy. Donaghy was replaced by Heidi Range in 2001 and in 2005 came Berrabah replaced for Buena.

“It was not my choice to leave, but it is time for a new chapter in my life”, Buchanan told via Twitter. According to The BBC Buchanan resigned because they could get along with fellow Sugababe Ammelle Berrabah. Keisha Buchanan will continue to record for Island Records as a solo artist.

They will release their forthcoming album ‘Sweet 7’ on November 23rd through Island Records. The Sugababes had six No. 1 hits in Britain, like Freak Like Me and Push the Button.