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Despite notable progress in development across various sectors, Africa remains the least happy region globally, with an average happiness score of 4.4, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report.
The annual report, based on data from the Gallup World Poll and other sources, evaluates countries based on life satisfaction, social support, freedom of choice, GDP per capita, and other well-being indicators.
Rankings reflect life evaluations averaged over a three-year period from 2022 to 2024.
Mauritius emerged as Africa’s happiest country, with an average score of 5.8, placing it 78th globally.
The Indian Ocean island nation outperformed Libya, which scored identically but ranked 79th.
Mauritius’ stable democracy, strong economy, and peaceful social environment have contributed to its consistent high scores in recent editions of the report.
Algeria ranked third in Africa with a score of 5.6, followed by South Africa and Mozambique, both at 5.2.
At the bottom of the list, Sierra Leone was ranked the least happy country in Africa, with a score of just 3.0—second-lowest globally.
The country, still grappling with political instability and economic hardships, saw a 0.3-point decline in its happiness rating from the previous year.
Lesotho experienced the largest improvement, rising 0.6 points from 3.2 to 3.8, but still ranked among the least happy nations on the continent.
Ghana ranked 125th globally with a score of 4.3, trailing behind Nigeria (4.9), Kenya (4.5), and Guinea (4.9).
While the overall regional outlook remains bleak, the report highlights resilience and progress in certain areas, such as governance, economic development, and public health.
Read more: Defence minister, Lufuma, calls for increased intra-Africa trade to drive economic growth
Full Ranking of the Happiest Countries in Africa (2025):
Global Rank Country Happiness Score
1. 78 Mauritius 5.8
2. 79 Libya 5.8
3. 84 Algeria 5.6
4. 95 South Africa 5.2
5. 96 Mozambique 5.2
6. 97 Gabon 5.1
7. 98 Côte d’Ivoire 5.1
8. 100 Congo (Brazzaville) 5.0
9. 102 Guinea 4.9
10. 103 Namibia 4.9
11. 104 Cameroon 4.9
12. 105 Nigeria 4.9
13. 107 Senegal 4.9
14. 110 Niger 4.7
15. 112 Morocco 4.6
16. 113 Tunisia 4.6
17. 114 Mauritania 4.5
18. 115 Kenya 4.5
19. 116 Uganda 4.5
20. 117 Gambia 4.4
21. 119 Chad 4.4
22. 120 Burkina Faso 4.4
23. 121 Benin 4.4
24. 122 Somalia 4.3
25. 123 Mali 4.3
26. 125 Ghana 4.3
27. 127 Togo 4.3
28. 129 Liberia 4.3
29. 130 Madagascar 4.2
30. 131 Zambia 3.9
31. 132 Ethiopia 3.9
32. 135 Egypt 3.8
33. 136 Tanzania 3.8
34. 137 Eswatini 3.8
35. 138 Lesotho 3.8
36. 139 Comoros 3.8
37. 141 DR Congo 3.5
38. 142 Botswana 3.4
39. 143 Zimbabwe 3.4
40. 144 Malawi 3.3
41. 146 Sierra Leone 3.0
As Africa continues to face development challenges, the World Happiness Report highlights the urgency of policies that prioritize improving the quality of life across the continent.
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