Nigeria Ranks 105th In 2025 World Happiness Index Report

Nigeria is placed at the 105th position out of 147 countries, in the 2025 World Happiness Report, released today, March 20. The report reflects the standing of a comprehensive global assessment of well-being.

Compiled by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent editorial board, the report evaluates nations based on social, physical, and emotional well-being factors.

Nigeria ranks  in the lower tier of the index, underscoring the persistent challenges citizens in the nation face translating to low levels of national happiness.

Food is the center of happiness for every Nigerian however, prices have gone up significantly since President Tinubu’s administration took over in 2023 with food inflation as high as 37.92% in January. However, food inflation rate has however slowed to 23.51% in February 2025, marking a significant decline. Nigerians are not convinced of the decrease in food prices arguing it was way lower.

Finland, for yet another year, claimed the top spot as the world’s happiest country, cementing its reputation for exceptional quality of life. Following closely were Denmark in second place and Iceland in third, with Sweden rounding out the top four at No. 4 positions unchanged from the 2024 rankings.

Norway, however, slipped slightly to No. 7. The top 10 welcomed two Latin American nations for the first time, with Costa Rica rising to No. 6 and Mexico entering at No. 10, joining the Netherlands (No. 5), Israel (No. 8), and Luxembourg (No. 9).

The United States, meanwhile, continued its downward trajectory, landing at No. 24 after dropping out of the top 20 in 2024. This marks a significant fall from its peak ranking of No. 11 in 2012.

The report also noted a striking 53% increase in Americans dining alone over the past two decades, a trend that may reflect shifting social dynamics contributing to the nation’s declining happiness.

The United Kingdom mirrored this slide, falling to No. 23 with its lowest average life satisfaction since 2017. Canada, despite a decade-long dip in happiness, held steady in the top 20 at No. 18.

At the bottom of the rankings, Afghanistan remained the least happy nation at No. 147, trailed by Sierra Leone (No. 146), Lebanon (No. 145), Malawi (No. 144), and Zimbabwe (No. 143). These countries face ongoing struggles that starkly contrast with the well-being enjoyed by the top performers.

Last year’s report spotlighted happiness disparities across age groups, revealing a notable decline in well-being among younger populations in multiple nations a trend that continues to shape global discussions on mental health and social cohesion.

The 2025 findings reinforce the dominance of Nordic countries, with Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden excelling in fostering environments conducive to happiness. Meanwhile, the emergence of Costa Rica and Mexico in the top 10 signals a shift, highlighting Latin America’s growing presence on the global happiness stage.

For Nigeria, the 105th ranking is a call to action to address underlying  social, economic, and emotional causes that define its people’s well-being and unhappiness.

As the world digests these latest findings, the report is an indispensable aid to understanding the complex interconnectedness of conditions that make up happiness beyond borders.

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