Nigeria Ranked 59th Happiest Country in the World, Second Happiest in Africa
March 20 is a day set aside by the United Nations to celebrate International Day of Happiness. In a report published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) at Columbia University, USA and powered by data from the Gallup World Poll, Nigeria has been ranked as the 59th happiest country in the world and second happiest in Africa.
The report which was released on www.worldhappiness.report on Friday, March 19 2021 to mark the International Day of Happiness on Saturday, March 20 shows Finland as topping the list of happiest countries in the world. Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands followed in second, third, fourth and fifth rank respectively. This will be the fourth time in a row Finland is taking the first position, after taking the spot in 2017.
The happiest country is determined by various factors including levels of GDP, life expectancy, generosity, social support, freedom and corruption income among others.
However, according to CNN report, the World Happiness Report 2021 included different factors this time around due to the coronavirus pandemic. Not only were researchers unable to complete face-to-face interviews in a number of countries, they also had to switch things up entirely by focusing on the relationship between physical and mental well-being and COVID-19.
Researchers say it’s no surprise that Finland has retained the top position once again, as the Nordic country has always ranked highly when it comes to mutual trust. Trust is recognized as one of the major factors that helped to protect people during the pandemic, as well as confidence in government.
The United States moved up from 18th to 14th place and the United Kingdom dropped from 13th to 18th. Australia held its 12th place position, reported CNN.
Mauritius is ranked first in Africa and 44th globally. In Africa’s top five, Ghana is third on the continent and 65th in the world. Cote d’Ivoire is 4th and 70th globally while Cameroun is a close 5th and 71st globally.
The least happy countries in the world on the list are Cambodia, India, Jordan, Tanzania and Zimbabwe at 91 to 95 respectively.
Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world
The theme of the International Day of Happiness 2021 is “Happiness For All, Forever”.
