The latest World Happiness Report has been released, providing a snapshot of global well-being and ranking countries based on their citizens' satisfaction with their lives. In Africa, Mauritius has emerged as the happiest country, ranking 78th globally with a score of 5.832.

This ranking reflects the relative stability, economic improvements, and social support that contribute to a higher quality of life in Mauritius. The report, developed in collaboration with Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and other experts, draws insights from over 140 countries.

The report measures happiness using six key factors: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. These factors are crucial in determining the overall well-being of a country's citizens.

Following Mauritius, Libya ranks 79th globally with a score of 5.820, and Algeria ranks 84th with a score of 5.571. These countries have made significant progress in improving their citizens' lives, despite the challenges faced by many African nations.

In contrast, the United States has slipped to 24th place, reflecting a decline in overall well-being. Many African countries continue to face persistent challenges, such as economic inequality, political instability, and limited access to healthcare and education, which weigh heavily on happiness levels.

The Nordic countries, known for their robust social welfare systems, high-quality education, accessible healthcare, and lower inequality, continue to dominate the top spots in the global rankings. Finland holds the title of the world's happiest country for the eighth year in a row, followed closely by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Norway.

The full list of the top 10 happiest countries in Africa in 2025 is as follows: Mauritius (1st, 78th globally), Libya (2nd, 79th globally), Algeria (3rd, 84th globally), South Africa (4th, 95th globally), Mozambique (5th, 96th globally), Gabon (6th, 97th globally), Côte d'Ivoire (7th, 98th globally), Congo (8th, 100th globally), Guinea (9th, 102nd globally), and Namibia (10th, 103rd globally).

The World Happiness Report provides valuable insights into the factors that contribute to a country's overall well-being, highlighting areas that require improvement and offering a framework for policymakers to create a better quality of life for their citizens.

As the report continues to shed light on the complexities of happiness and well-being, it remains a vital tool for understanding the intricacies of human experience and promoting positive change globally.