Nigeria among top 10 happiest African nations, says UN report
LAGOS, March 2, 2024 – Nigeria has been ranked eighth in the list of most happy countries in Africa, according to the 2023 World Happiness Report released by the United Nations.
The report, which measures national happiness based on respondent ratings of their own lives, shows that Nigeria improved its position by two places from the previous year, scoring 4.724 out of 10.
The report attributes Nigeria’s happiness to its economic growth, social cohesion, and cultural diversity, despite the challenges of insecurity, corruption, and poverty.
The happiest country in Africa is Mauritius, with a score of 5.902, followed by Algeria with 5.392. South Africa, DR Congo, and Guinea complete the top five.
The report also reveals that Finland is the happiest country in the world for the sixth consecutive time, with a score of 7.842, followed by Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway.
The World Happiness Report is an annual publication of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, which ranks 149 countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be.
The report uses data from the Gallup World Poll, as well as other sources such as life expectancy, social support, freedom, generosity, and corruption.
The report aims to provide a tool for governments, civil society, and individuals to improve the well-being of their societies and the planet.
