The 2025 World Happiness Report ranked Nigeria at 105, a drop from 102 in 2024, making it the 10th happiest in Africa. Libya ranked highest on the continent. Finland remains the happiest globally, while the U.S. ranks 24th and the U.K. 23rd. Afghanistan is the least happy at 147.
On March 20, the 2025 World Happiness Report revealed that Nigeria ranked 105 out of 147 nations, marking a decline of three positions from its previous ranking of 102 in 2024. Despite this drop, Nigeria remains the 10th happiest country in Africa. Libya topped the African rankings at 79, illustrating a commendable level of life satisfaction amid ongoing challenges.
Finland has been recognized as the world’s happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, followed by other Nordic countries, including Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. The Netherlands occupies the fifth position, with Israel, Luxembourg, and the United States—all of which fell out of the top 20 last year—ranging from eighth to twenty-fourth, respectively.
The United States is currently positioned at number 24, having peaked at number 11 in 2012. Similarly, the United Kingdom ranks at 23, registering its lowest life satisfaction metrics since 2017. On the other hand, Canada remains within the top 20, holding the 18th place despite a decade-long downward trend in happiness.
Afghanistan continues to be recognized as the unhappiest country globally, sitting at the bottom of the rankings at number 147. It is followed by Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, completing the list of the five least happy nations.
The World Happiness Report is a collaborative effort by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Gallup, and the Oxford Center for Well-Being Research, examining happiness disparities across different populations. It evaluates six key variables: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. This year’s findings emphasize the importance of caring and sharing in contributing to happiness across various populations.
The 2025 World Happiness Report highlights Nigeria’s position as the 105th happiest nation, a slight decline from the previous year. While Libya leads in Africa, Finland maintains its status as the happiest country globally. The report draws attention to troubling trends in happiness among several nations, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, while reinforcing the critical role of societal support and generosity in overall happiness measures.
Original Source: businessday.ng
