The Happiest Countries in Africa, 2019

The 7th World Happiness Report ranking 156 countries by their happiness levels was issued out recently. Gallup, which is a US analytics company, collaborated with the United Nations to survey and assess the state of happiness in the world.

The criteria used in the survey included these variables: income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust and generosity. These were found to be the high values that support the well-being of a person. In total, 156 countries were reviewed by Gallup and the findings published in the World Happiness Report.

For the happiest countries in Africa, Mauritius takes the lead with a global position of 57th. Other countries that made it to the list are Benin, Congo, Libya and Nigeria. Countries that are the least happiest include Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Central African Republic and South Sudan.

Below are the top ten happiest countries in Africa:

1. Mauritius

Mauritius is the happiest country on the continent, being 57th on the world list. The country has witnessed remarkable economic growth in the past years. The perceptions of corruption in the Mauritius are low.

2. Libya

Last year, Libya was the 70th happiest country in the world, and this year Libya is the 72nd happiest country in the world. It beats many European countries like Croatia, Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria. This makes the country the 2nd happiest in Africa.

3. Nigeria

Nigeria has improved from last year, where it ranked 91st on the global list. The country ranks 85th this year. Despite the economic situation and the incessant security risks plaguing the country, Nigerians have managed to remain happy because of these factors: religion, social interaction, physical health, and personal security. Social interaction provides an overall feeling of connectivity to society for Nigerians.

4. Algeria

Algeria is the highest ranking country in terms of happiness in North Africa. The country has a global position of 88th. The North African country is generally considered as a country on the upswing. This is because countries in North Africa are also being considered as vastly improving as regards happiness.

5. Morocco

As has been noted before, countries in North Africa are generally considered to be on the upswing when it comes to happiness. Morocco has a global position of 89th. Morocco's happiness is mainly stemming from low dystopia, GDP per capita, social support, and healthy life expectancy. In contrast, perceptions of corruption, generosity, and freedom to make life choices contributed less to happiness in Morocco.

6. Cameroon

Despite the Anglophone crisis rocking the nation, Cameroon still fares better when it comes to happiness in Africa. It has a global position of 96th.

7. Ghana

Ghana ranks 98th in the world. The West African country has registered some considerable progress, moving from its 108th position last year.

8. Ivory Coast

Optimism is always very high in Ivory Coast, and the country has a global position of 99th. It has made very huge improvements over these past years. In 2017, the country had a World Happiness Ranking of 128th.

9. Benin

Benin's happiness is improving at extremely great strides, and this is credited to "changes in government, security and stability, and the protection of democratic freedoms." It has a global position of 102nd. Benin has been the biggest gainer of happiness in the world for the period from 2005-2008 to 2016-2018.