Nigeria ranks 105th in the 2025 World Happiness Report, a drop from 102nd in 2024, while remaining the 10th happiest in Africa. Finland retains its top global ranking. The United States and the United Kingdom experienced declines, with Afghanistan ranked last.
Nigeria ranked 105th out of 147 nations in the 2025 World Happiness Report, released alongside the International Day of Happiness. This marks a decline from its 102nd position in 2024, yet Nigeria holds the distinction of being the 10th happiest country in Africa. Libya topped the African rankings at 79, showcasing life satisfaction despite ongoing challenges.
Finland retained its title as the world’s happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, followed by other Nordic nations such as Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. The Netherlands, Israel, and Luxembourg secured spots five to nine, respectively, completing the top ten. The United States ranked 24th, having previously reached 11th place in 2012, while the United Kingdom fell to 23rd, the lowest since 2017.
Canada remained in the top 20 at 18th position but has exhibited a decline in happiness over the last decade. Afghanistan, enduring a humanitarian crisis since the Taliban regained power, ranked last at 147th, with Sierra Leone and Lebanon following in the bottom five.
The International Day of Happiness, observed annually since 2013 on March 20, aligns with the report’s release by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, in collaboration with Gallup and the Oxford Center for Well-Being Research. The report analyzes happiness across populations based on key factors such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption, emphasizing the impact of caring and sharing on happiness.
The 2025 World Happiness Report highlights a significant drop for Nigeria, ranking it 105th overall. Despite this decline, Nigeria’s position as the 10th happiest African nation remains noteworthy. While Nordic countries dominated the happiness rankings globally, nations such as the United States and the United Kingdom faced decreases in their standings, reflecting a broader trend. The report’s insights underscore the need for continuous evaluation of societal well-being, particularly in countries grappling with challenges, such as Afghanistan.
Original Source: businessday.ng
