The World Happiness Report 2017 has ranked Algeria as the happiest country in Africa.
In a comprehensive listing of nations, the table takes into account a range of factors that may affect a country’s happiness, including: GDP per capita, social support available in the country, life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity and perceptions of corruption. The country is then given a number between 1 to 10 (10 being the highest) as a rating of that specific country’s happiness.
Norway took top spot with a rating of 7.54, followed by Denmark (7.53), Iceland (7.5) and Switzerland (7.4). Overall, Europe appeared to claim the highest ranks.
Only six African countries ranked among the top 100, and make up almost all of the lowest 10 ranked countries for happiness.
At the very bottom of the list of 155 countries, which is put together by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations, is the Central African Republic (2.6), along with Burundi (2.9), Tanzania (3.3), Rwanda (3.4) and Togo (3.5). Experts predict that this is mainly based on the countries’ current political situations, and other facts like civil unrest, corruption and poverty.
The report highlights a correlation between happiness and poverty, along with relatively new self-ruling and satisfaction with infrastructure.
The report also outlines constant disappointment as one of the main reasons for Africans’ negative sentiments.
Algeria ranks 53rd on the list with a rating of 6.4, next in line is Mauritius with a collective rating of 5.63, they are then followed by Libya (5.61), Morocco (5.2), Somalia (5.1), Nigeria (5), South Africa (4.82), Tunisia (4.8), Egypt (4.73), and Sierra Leone (4.7) to make up the top 10.
It is thought that Algeria’s stance as a leading North African oil-exporting country, with low-lived poverty, is a reason for their happiness. Algeria also received a high rating from children, who were happy with their family life in the country, on the flipside – Ethiopian children had a childhood “least favourable” and did not feel completely safe at home.
For a complete listing of the African countries and their happiness ranking, see below:
