The Report is produced by the UN’s Sustainable Development Systems Network and scores nations on responses to the ‘life evaluation’ questions collected in the Gallup World Poll. These include variables such as real GDP per person, healthy life expectancy, corruption levels and social freedoms.
“Increasingly happiness is considered a
proper measure of social progress and goal of public policy,” the
Report’s authors say, noting that there is a UN Resolution on happiness and well-being that requires members to collect such data.
The situation in Libya right now is often
described as fractured and chaotic. The internationally-recognised
administration headed by Abdullah al-Thinni was ousted from the capital
Tripoli last year, and operates out of hotels in the eastern city of
Benghazi – and all the while, the Islamic State has taken advantage of
the anarchy to establish a foothold on the African continent.
So it’s entirely surprising that the just-released report would rank Libya as the happiest country in Africa.
Algeria is the second-happiest country in
Africa, and in contrast to Libya, has been spared most of the turmoil
that has rocked North Africa in the past four years.
Mauritius comes third in Africa, the little island nation regularly tops all the “good” rankings in Africa.
In fourth place is Nigeria, Africa’s
biggest economy, which remains happy despite the havoc wreaked by Boko
Haram attacks in the north in recent years.
Fifth is Zambia, which tends to be a quiet land, at least by African standards.
The most miserable countries in Africa are
not the poorest, or even the ones most affected by terrorism, war or
instability. They are a mixed bag, and in fact, some of them have posted
strong economic growth figures.
Togo is the unhappiest country in Africa,
and neighbouring Benin is third from last. It’s intriguing that two
gloomy countries could be right next to the very happy Nigeria.
SOURCE: WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT 2015
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