World's funniest countries, revealed: Czech Republic tops the global league table...while Britain and the US trail behind
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As a nation we’re known for our sarcasm and self-deprecating humour.

And some of our favourite comedians, including Ricky Gervais and Richard Ayoade, fully embrace this trait.

But when it comes to being funny, the UK lags behind other countries, according to a new study.

A survey of 6,000 people across 30 countries found the Czech Republic tops the list as the funniest in the world, followed by Portugal and Ireland.

The UK placed 18th – under Australia, France and on par with Canada.

However, in good news, Brits ranked funnier than Germans and Americans, who placed 27th and 29th respectively.

Ryan Riley from Remitly, who carried out the study, said: ‘The data especially highlighted the dry wit of the Czech Republic, the warm, socially intelligent humour of Portugal and the storytelling charm of Ireland.

‘Regardless of location, laughter is a universal language. For anyone living or working internationally, understanding these differences can be a quick shortcut to feeling at home.’

The Czech Republic topped the list for funniest country. Here, they are known for their self-defeating humour, razor-sharp irony and well-timed sarcasm (Pictured: Prague Old Town)

The Czech Republic topped the list for funniest country. Here, they are known for their self-defeating humour, razor-sharp irony and well-timed sarcasm (Pictured: Prague Old Town)

Ireland: 3rd place. Stand-up comedian Joanne McNally (pictured) will be thrilled to hear her country placed in the top three

Ireland: 3rd place. Stand-up comedian Joanne McNally (pictured) will be thrilled to hear her country placed in the top three

Australia: 7th place. Australian comedian Adam Hills (pictured), who presents The Last Leg, will be happy with his nation's ranking

Australia: 7th place. Australian comedian Adam Hills (pictured), who presents The Last Leg, will be happy with his nation’s ranking

The research involved asking participants to complete a psychological tool called the Humour Styles Questionnaire.

This test analyses how funny people may be in the real world and how they use different types of humour.

Statements they could agree or disagree with included ‘Sometimes I think of something that is so funny that I can’t stop myself from saying it, even if it is not appropriate for the situation’.

Others like ‘If someone makes a mistake I will tease them about it’ and ‘I don’t have to work very hard at making other people laugh – I seem to be a naturally humorous person’ were also included.

The higher they scored on the test, the funnier they could be seen as by others, according to the research.

Scientists calculated the average score of people in each country to provide a ‘humour score’ for each nation. The highest score any nation could achieve throughout the study is 112.

The Czech Republic, who claimed the top spot, stood out for their self-defeating humour, razor-sharp irony and well-timed sarcasm, the study showed.

Their comedic style is ‘subtle, clever and can catch you off guard’.

Canada: 17th place. Katherine Ryan (pictured) is one of the biggest Canadian names in the world of comedy

Canada: 17th place. Katherine Ryan (pictured) is one of the biggest Canadian names in the world of comedy

UK: 18th place. Ricky Gervais, one of the UK's most popular comedians, embraces sarcastic, self-deprecating humour, but might be sad at his country's ranking

Richard Ayoade is also renowned for being able to keep a straight face during his witty quips

UK: 18th place: Both Ricky Gervais (left) and Richard Ayoade (right) embrace the sarcastic, self-deprecating humour the Brits are renowned for, but might be upset at how the UK ranked

World’s top 30 funniest nations
Rank Country Average ‘humour’ score (out of 112)
1 Czech Republic 72.3 
Portugal  71.4 
Ireland  71.2 
Belgium  71.1 
Chile  71.1 
Greece  71.1 
Australia  71 
Poland  70.8 
Denmark  70.6 
10  Hungary  70.5 
11  Switzerland  70.3 
12  Netherlands  70.1 
13  France  70.1 
14  Mexico  70 
15  Austria  69.8 
16  Estonia  69.5 
17  Canada  69.5 
18  UK  69.5 
19  South Africa  69.3 
20  Norway  69.1 
21  Finland  69 
22  Sweden  68.8 
23  Spain  68.6 
24  Brazil  68.6 
25  New Zealand  68.4 
26  Japan  68.2 
27  Germany  68.2 
28  Italy  67.9 
29  USA  67.8 
30  Philippines  67 

Portugal, which ranked second, has a national sense of humour that blends warmth and quick wit. The Portuguese are ‘equally adept at charming, teasing or defusing tension when the moment calls for it’, the researchers found.

Ireland, meanwhile, took third place, with high scores in affiliative and self-enhancing humour. This reflects the nation’s reputation for storytelling, friendliness and emotional intelligence, the study said.

Belgium claims joint fourth place with a dry, balanced sense of humour that scored steadily across all styles – subtle, clever and effective. Chile, also in joint fourth, favours emotionally expressive, uplifting humour that is rooted in strong family and social ties.

At the same time Greece, also in fourth place, blends wit and warmth with a Mediterranean flair for self-deprecation and inclusivity, the researchers said.

The UK ranks 18th overall, with Brits scoring solidly across humour styles, favouring dry wit and self-deprecation, the study revealed.

However the US, which came in 29th, has a humour style that leans more toward self-enhancement, they discovered.

‘Humour is often the first bridge between people, especially when you’re navigating a new country or culture,’ Mr Riley added. ‘It helps to break the ice, build trust, and create those all-important moments of connection that make us feel seen and understood.

‘Our research shows that while every culture uses humour differently, understanding those differences can be the biggest win when forging new relationships.

South Africa: 19th. Comedian Trevor Noah (pictured) was born in Johannesburg and has hosted The Daily Show - an American late-night talk show

South Africa: 19th. Comedian Trevor Noah (pictured) was born in Johannesburg and has hosted The Daily Show – an American late-night talk show

USA: 29th place. American comedians like Dave Chappelle will be sad to hear the USA ranked so low in the 'funny' table

USA: 29th place. American comedians like Dave Chappelle will be sad to hear the USA ranked so low in the ‘funny’ table

‘This is true if you’re visiting a new city for a break or even making small talk with new colleagues after you’ve moved abroad.’

A previous study has found that men and women prefer different styles of humour. 

Men like visual jokes and slapstick pratfalls, enjoying these more than women, the research found. 

Meanwhile women rate jokes about political issues and domestic relationships more highly than men.

The finding came from 3,380 people who attended an exhibition of cartoons published in British newspapers and magazines between 1930 and 2010.

Remitly, who carried out the study, provides digital financial services.   

40 of the most groan-worthy Dad jokes 

  1. What do you call a bear with no socks on? Bare foot. 
  2. What button is impossible to unbutton? The belly button. 
  3. What did Michael Jackson call his denim store? Billie Jeans. 
  4. What is invisible and smells of worms? A bird’s fart. 
  5. What do you call a Minecraft celebration? A block party. 
  6. Who is the best Kung Fu vegetable? Brocc‐Lee. 
  7. What do you call a rabbit who is angry over getting burnt? A hot cross bunny. 
  8. What did the butt say to the other butt? PTTTTT.
  9. What’s orange and sounds like a parrot? A carrot.
  10. Why couldn’t the toilet paper cross the road? He got stuck in a crack.
  11. What’s round and sounds like a trumpet? A crumpet. 
  12. What do you call a sleeping dinosaur? A dino‐SNORE.
  13. What do you call a man with a spade on his head? Dug. 
  14. What kind of hair do they sell at IHOP? Eggstensions. 
  15. What do you call an Asian man who always has correct change? Exact Lee. 
  16. What do you call an apple that farts? A fruity Tooty. 
  17. What is the best day to cook? FRY‐DAY. 
  18. What did the horse say when it fell? GIDDYUP! 
  19. What do you receive when you ask a lemon to help? Lemon aid 
  20. Why can’t you give Elsa a balloon? Because she will let it go. 
  21. When does a sandwich cook? When it is bakin’ lettuce and tomato.
  22. Why did the smart phone need glasses? It lost all its contacts. 
  23. What state has the smallest drinks? Mini‐soda. 
  24. Why did the cow cross the road? They wanted to go to the mooooovies.
  25. What do you call a funky car? Mustang. 
  26. What did the hammer say to his homeboys? Nailed it. 
  27. Why are cats good at video games? Because they have nine lives. 
  28. What do you call a deer with no eyes? No idea. 
  29. What is big and green and falls off over the tree will kill you? A snooker table. 
  30. What did the French guy do when he drank too much water? He went oui oui in his pants.
  31. Where do pencils spend their vacation? Pencil‐Vania. 
  32. What do flies eat for breakfast? A bowl of poop loops. 
  33. Why did the balloon go near the needle? He wanted to be a pop star. 
  34. What did the duck do when he read all these jokes? He quacked up. 
  35. Why was the tomato all red? It saw the salad dressing. 
  36. What do you call a female magician in the dessert? A sand witch. 
  37. How do billboards talk? Sign language. 
  38. What is brown and sticky? A stick. 
  39. I hurt my foot driving the other day. You know what I called? The toe company. 
  40. What does a dinosaur use to pay bills? Tyrannosaurus checks. 

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