The World Happiness Report covers 147 countries worldwide, including 40 in Africa. Mauritius has reclaimed its position as the happiest country on the continent, while Sierra Leone ranks as the least happy.

Mauritius has been named the happiest country in Africa for 2025, reclaiming the top spot it held in past years. The ranking comes from the World Happiness Report 2025, released on March 20 by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network, in partnership with Gallup and Oxford University’s Wellbeing Research Center.

Worldwide, Mauritius landed in 78th place out of 147 countries, making it the highest-ranked African nation in the report. The island nation’s economy relies heavily on tourism, agriculture, and services — but what seems to set it apart this year is how residents feel about their daily lives.

Libya followed closely behind at 79th worldwide, making it the second-happiest country in Africa. Algeria came third on the continent, followed by South Africa, Mozambique, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo, Guinea, and Namibia.

Namibia’s position at 103rd globally bumped Senegal out of Africa’s top 10 this year, showing how small shifts in well-being can shuffle the rankings.

The World Happiness Report looks beyond economics. Yes, money plays a part, but the rankings are largely based on how people personally rate their own happiness, along with six key factors: income, social support, health, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and trust in institutions.

Finland once again claimed the title of the world’s happiest country — for the eighth year in a row — followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Costa Rica.

This year’s report also explored how household size might shape happiness. The findings suggest that people living with about four others tend to be happier than those who live alone. Interestingly, people living by themselves often report higher financial satisfaction — but feel less fulfilled overall, likely due to fewer social connections. In other words, relationships still matter more than money when it comes to happiness.

Africa’s Happiest Countries in 2025 (Global Rank in Parentheses)

1. Mauritius (78)
2. Libya (79)
3. Algeria (84)
4. South Africa (95)
5. Mozambique (96)
6. Gabon (97)
7. Côte d’Ivoire (98)
8. Congo (100)
9. Guinea (102)
10. Namibia (103)
11. Cameroon (104)
12. Nigeria (105)
13. Senegal (107)
14. Niger (110)
15. Morocco (112)
16. Tunisia (113)
17. Kenya (115)
18. Uganda (116)
19. Gambia (117)
20. Chad (119)
21. Burkina Faso (120)
22. Benin (121)
23. Somalia (122)
24. Mali (123)
25. Ghana (125)
26. Togo (127)
27. Liberia (129)
28. Madagascar (130)
29. Zambia (131)
30. Ethiopia (132)
31. Egypt (135)
32. Tanzania (136)
33. Eswatini (137)
34. Lesotho (138)
35. Comoros (139)
36. DR Congo (141)
37. Botswana (142)
38. Zimbabwe (143)
39. Malawi (144)
40. Sierra Leone (146)