Sierra Leone, however, holds the position of Africa’s least happy country, ranking 146th globally with a low score of 2.998. Malawi follows at 144th with 3.260, while Zimbabwe ranks 143rd with a score of 3.396.
- Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 least happy countries in Africa in 2025.
- The list is courtesy of the World Happiness Report.
- Sierra Leone holds the position of Africa’s least happy country, ranking 146th globally with a low score of 2.998.
Happiness is something we all strive for, but the truth is, that not every country offers an environment where people feel content and fulfilled.
While some nations consistently rank at the top of the World Happiness Report, others struggle with deep-rooted issues that make life far more challenging for their citizens.
Every year, this report gives us a snapshot of global well-being, showing which countries are thriving and which are facing serious difficulties.
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The happiest nations in the world are often found in the Nordic region. Finland has been crowned the happiest country for the eighth year in a row, with Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Norway following closely behind.
However, on the other end of the spectrum, we find countries where happiness is much harder to come by.
The latest World Happiness Report shows the struggles of some of the least happy nations, many of which are in Africa. Persistent challenges such as economic hardship, political instability, healthcare crises, and limited access to education continue to weigh down happiness levels in these regions.
Among African countries, Mauritius leads as the happiest, ranking 78th globally with a score of 5.832. Libya follows closely at 79th (5.820), and Algeria at 84th (5.571). These nations, despite their challenges, have made economic and social strides that contribute to relatively higher life satisfaction.
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Unfortunately, for many African nations, the reality is far grimmer. Nigeria, for instance, ranked 105th out of 147 countries in the 2025 World Happiness Report, revealing the ongoing struggles of Africa’s most populous nation.
Sierra Leone, however, holds the position of Africa’s least happy country, ranking 146th globally with a low score of 2.998. Malawi follows at 144th with 3.260, while Zimbabwe ranks 143rd with a score of 3.396.
Below are the top 10 least happy countries in Africa in 2025:
| Rank | Country | Score | Global rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sierra Leone | 2.998 | 146th |
| 2 | Malawi | 3.260 | 144th |
| 3 | Zimbabwe | 3.396 | 143rd |
| 4 | Botswana | 3.438 | 142nd |
| 5 | DR Congo | 3.469 | 141st |
| 6 | Lesotho | 3.757 | 138th |
| 7 | Eswatini | 3.774 | 137th |
| 8 | Tanzania | 3.800 | 136th |
| 9 | Egypt | 3.817 | 135th |
| 10 | Ethiopia | 3.898 | 132nd |
