In a recent report released by the World Happiness Report, Sierra Leone has been identified as one of the top 15 unhappiest countries in the world.
With over 55% of its population living below the national poverty line, Sierra Leone faces significant challenges in achieving well-being and prosperity.
The report highlights that Sierra Leone ranks among the lowest in the world on the Human Development Index (HDI), with a score of 0.438 as of 2020. This underscores the urgent need for addressing socio-economic disparities and improving living conditions for its citizens.
Factors contributing to the pervasive sense of unhappiness in Sierra Leone include poverty, limited access to healthcare and education, political instability, and environmental challenges. The country continues to grapple with the legacy of past conflicts and struggles to rebuild and develop amidst ongoing obstacles.
The list is presented in ascending order of scores, with higher scores corresponding to higher levels of unhappiness.
30. Laos
Total Score: 64.1
Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia known for its mountainous terrain and diverse ethnic cultures. While specific data on happiness is limited, Laos faces challenges related to poverty, limited access to healthcare and education, and political restrictions.
29. Cambodia
Total Score: 64.3
Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia and is known for its rich history, including the ancient Angkor Wat temple complex. Poverty rates are high in Cambodia, with many facing economic hardships and limited access to basic services. Political instability and human rights issues also contribute to unhappiness.
28. Somalia
Total Score: 64.3
Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa and has experienced decades of conflict, instability, and humanitarian crises. Conflict, poverty, food insecurity, and lack of access to basic services contribute to unhappiness in Somalia. The country also faces challenges related to piracy and terrorism.
27. Eritrea
Total Score: 65
Eritrea is located in the Horn of Africa and gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a long war. Limited political freedom, human rights abuses, and compulsory national service contribute to unhappiness in Eritrea. The country also faces challenges related to poverty and economic stagnation.
26. Iraq
Total Score: 66.6
Iraq is located in the Middle East and has faced years of conflict, political instability, and terrorism. Ongoing violence, displacement, economic hardships, and lack of access to basic services contribute to unhappiness in Iraq. The country also faces challenges related to corruption and sectarian tensions.
25. Venezuela
Total Score: 67.1
Venezuela is located in South America and has vast oil reserves but has experienced economic collapse and political turmoil in recent years. Hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages, political repression, and human rights abuses contribute to unhappiness in Venezuela. Millions have fled the country seeking better opportunities elsewhere.
24. Myanmar (Burma)
Total Score: 68.3
Myanmar is located in Southeast Asia and has a diverse population with various ethnic groups. Political repression, ethnic conflicts, human rights abuses, and economic challenges contribute to unhappiness in Myanmar. The military coup in 2021 further exacerbated tensions and instability.
23. Nepal
Total Score: 70.1
Nepal is located in South Asia and is known for its stunning Himalayan mountains and rich cultural heritage. Poverty, political instability, natural disasters, and lack of access to healthcare and education contribute to unhappiness in Nepal. The country also faces challenges related to corruption and weak governance.
22. Pakistan
Total Score: 70.1
Pakistan is located in South Asia and is known for its diverse landscapes, including mountains, plains, and coastal areas. Poverty, political instability, terrorism, and sectarian violence contribute to unhappiness in Pakistan. The country also faces challenges related to corruption and weak governance.
21. Ethiopia
Total Score: 70.2
Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa and is known for its ancient history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes. Poverty, political repression, ethnic tensions, and conflicts contribute to unhappiness in Ethiopia. The country also faces challenges related to food insecurity, natural disasters, and human rights abuses.
20. Nigeria
Total Score: 70.5
The World Bank reports that over 40% of Nigeria’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2019. According to UNICEF, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the world, with millions of children lacking access to education due to poverty and insecurity.
19. Bangladesh
Total Score: 70.7
The World Bank estimates that over 20% of Bangladesh’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2020. Bangladesh faces challenges related to natural disasters, with cyclones, floods, and other extreme weather events exacerbating poverty and displacement.
18. Liberia
Total Score: 71.1
The World Bank reports that over 50% of Liberia’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2019. According to the UN Refugee Agency, Liberia hosts over 97,000 refugees and asylum seekers, adding strain to already limited resources and services.
17. Mozambique
Total Score: 71.1
The World Bank estimates that over 70% of Mozambique’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2018. The UNDP reports that Mozambique ranks among the lowest in the world on the Human Development Index, with a HDI of 0.456 as of 2020.
16. Malawi
Total Score: 74.2
The World Bank reports that over 50% of Malawi’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2019. According to the World Health Organization, Malawi has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS prevalence in the world, contributing to health challenges and poverty.
15. Guinea
Total Score: 75.1
The World Bank estimates that over 55% of Guinea’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2019. According to the World Food Programme, over 1.5 million people in Guinea are food insecure, with economic challenges and climate change exacerbating food shortages.
14. Sierra Leone
Total Score: 76.3
The World Bank reports that over 55% of Sierra Leone’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2018. The UNDP Human Development Index (HDI) ranks Sierra Leone among the lowest in the world, with a HDI of 0.438 as of 2020.
13. Madagascar
Total Score: 76.1
The World Bank estimates that over 75% of Madagascar’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2019. According to UNICEF, Madagascar has one of the highest rates of child malnutrition in the world, with over 47% of children under five suffering from chronic malnutrition.
12. Sudan
Total Score: 78.3
The World Bank reports that over 40% of Sudan’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2019. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that over 13 million people in Sudan are in need of humanitarian assistance due to conflict, displacement, and economic challenges.
11. Zimbabwe
Total Score: 79.9
The World Bank estimates that over 70% of Zimbabwe’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2019. According to the World Food Programme, over 60% of Zimbabweans are food insecure, with economic challenges exacerbating food shortages and malnutrition.
10. Niger
Total Score: 80
The World Bank estimates that over 40% of Niger’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2019. The Food and Agriculture Organization reports that over 2.1 million people in Niger are facing food insecurity, exacerbated by climate change and environmental challenges.
9. Chad
Total Score: 81.7
The World Bank reports that over 40% of Chad’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2018. According to the UNHCR, Chad hosts over 470,000 refugees and asylum seekers, adding strain to already limited resources and services.
8. Burundi
Total Score: 81.7
The World Bank estimates that over 60% of Burundi’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2019. The Institute for Economics and Peace ranks Burundi as one of the least peaceful countries in the world, with ongoing political unrest contributing to instability and suffering.
7. Syria
Total Score: 86.7
The Syrian Center for Policy Research estimates that over 80% of Syrians live below the poverty line as of 2021, compared to 28% before the conflict. The UN Refugee Agency reports that over 6.7 million Syrians are internally displaced, with millions more seeking refuge abroad due to conflict and violence.
6. Yemen
Total Score: 86.9
The UNDP reports that Yemen ranks among the lowest in the world on the Human Development Index, with a HDI of 0.470 as of 2020. The World Health Organization estimates that 20% of Yemen’s population suffers from mental health disorders, with rates likely exacerbated by ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises.
5. Haiti
Total Score: 87.1
The World Bank estimates that over 60% of Haiti’s population lives below the national poverty line, with many facing extreme poverty. According to the World Food Programme, over 4.4 million people in Haiti are food insecure, exacerbated by natural disasters and economic challenges.
4. South Sudan
Total Score: 87.3
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that 7.2 million people in South Sudan are in need of humanitarian assistance in 2022, representing over half the population. The World Bank estimates that South Sudan’s GDP per capita was only $246 in 2020, among the lowest in the world.
3. Afghanistan
Total Score: 88.9
The World Bank estimates that over 54% of Afghans lived below the national poverty line in 2019. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Afghanistan has one of the highest rates of depression and mental health disorders in the world, exacerbated by years of conflict and insecurity.
2. Central African Republic (CAR)
Total Score: 90
The UNDP Human Development Index (HDI) ranks CAR among the lowest in the world, with a HDI of 0.397 in 2020. The World Food Programme reports that 2.8 million people in CAR are in need of humanitarian assistance due to conflict and displacement.
1. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Total Score: 91.2
The World Bank estimates that over 70% of the DRC’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2018. The Global Peace Index ranked the DRC as one of the least peaceful countries in the world, with ongoing conflicts contributing to instability and suffering.
