Nigeria ranks 105 in the 2025 World Happiness Report, down from 102 in 2024, but is the 10th happiest country in Africa. Libya holds the highest African rank at 79. Finland is the happiest globally for the eighth year. The US falls to 24, while Afghanistan remains the unhappiest at 147. The report emphasizes the impact of social support and economic factors on happiness.
In the 2025 World Happiness Report, Nigeria ranked 105 out of 147 nations, reflecting a decline from its 2024 position of 102. Despite this drop, Nigeria secured the 10th position for happiness in Africa. The report was released in conjunction with the International Day of Happiness, observed annually on March 20 since 2013.
Libya topped the African rankings, achieving a position of 79, followed by nations experiencing various socio-economic challenges, illustrating notable life satisfaction. Finland was designated the happiest country globally for the eighth consecutive year, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden also ranking highly. The Netherlands, Israel, and Luxembourg completed the top ten happiness rankings.
The United States ranked 24, having previously fallen out of the top 20 for the first time last year. The UK also experienced a dip, landing at 23, indicating its lowest average life satisfaction since 2017. Canada maintained a position within the top 20, ranking 18, though it has seen a declining trend in happiness over the past decade.
Afghanistan was reported as the unhappiest country, ranked last at 147, followed by Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. The World Happiness Report, produced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network in partnership with Gallup and the Oxford Center for Well-Being Research, explores variances in happiness relative to economic and social factors.
This year’s edition emphasized the importance of caring and sharing in promoting happiness, highlighting disparities in well-being across different populations.
The 2025 World Happiness Report reveals a decrease in Nigeria’s happiness ranking while illustrating significant global trends. Libyan satisfaction rises, contrasting with declining ranks for the US and UK. Amidst this complexity, Afghanistan remains the unhappiest nation, underscoring the interrelation between governance and societal well-being. Overall, the report indicates ongoing challenges in achieving happiness across various regions, emphasizing the critical role of social and economic factors in life satisfaction.
Original Source: businessday.ng
