Freetown, Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone has been ranked as the least happy country in Africa and the second least happy in the world, according to the latest Global Happiness Report 2025*.
The country placed 146th out of 147 nations, marking a drop of six positions from last year’s 140th ranking.
Since 2012, Sierra Leone’s happiness score has declined by 1.320 points, reflecting ongoing economic, social, and political challenges.
The country is now only ahead of Afghanistan (147th), which remains the least happy nation globally. Other countries in the bottom five include Lebanon (145th), Malawi (144th), and Zimbabwe (143rd).
The World Happiness Report evaluates countries based on various indicators, including gross domestic product per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. Sierra Leone’s low ranking suggests significant issues in these areas, contributing to the overall unhappiness of its population.
Despite efforts to improve living standards, many Sierra Leoneans continue to face hardship, with limited access to quality healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
In contrast, the world’s top five happiest countries remain Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Notably, Costa Rica (6th) stands out as the only non-European nation in the top rankings. These nations consistently score high in areas such as social support, income, health, and freedom, setting benchmarks for happiness and well-being.
The report’s findings underscore the need for targeted efforts to address the factors contributing to unhappiness in Sierra Leone, aiming to improve the quality of life for its citizens.
This is a sad story about Siera Leone–considering it’s so resource rich. The country’s leaders must soberly reflect on this very embarrasing state of affairs and step up to the plate in reversing this trend. Sierra Leone does not deserve such a continental and global state of unhappiness.