Between 2000 and 2024, there were significant happiness rankings shifts in Africa, the World Happiness Report says. Libya and Mauritius led the pack in 2000 with 5.87 and 5.82, respectively. Libya, with a happiness rating of 5.87 (placed 66th internationally), remained Africa's top-performing country, with Mauritius and South Africa second and third with 5.82 (placed 70th internationally) and 5.42 (placed 83rd internationally), respectively. The average happiness rating for Africa in 2024 was 4.43, with the worst being 3.19, scored in Lesotho.
Here’s a detailed table summarizing the trends of the happiest African countries from 2000-2024:
| Period | Top Countries by Happiness | Key Trend |
| 2000-2009 | Mauritius, Libya, Algeria | Economic stability, strong social support systems, and good governance combined to add to their populations |
| 2010-2015 | Mauritius, Algeria, Libya | Mauritius has consistently ranked highly due to political stability, robust economy, and strong social support systems. |
| 2016-2020 | Mauritius, Libya, Nigeria | Despite political challenges, Libya maintained high happiness scores, possibly due to strong community ties. |
| 2021-2024 | Libya, Mauritius, South Africa | South Africa's improved rankings are attributed to addressing social inequalities and economic reforms. |
Key takeaways
- 2000-2009: Mauritius and Libya had the highest happiness levels in Africa, with 6.1 and 5.8, on average.
- 2010-2015: Mauritius had 5.9 in 2015, still on top of the rankings of the happiest African nations.
- 2016-2020: Mauritius had its highest rating of 5.9 in 2020, and Sierra Leone had its worst rating of 3.14.
- 2021-2024: Libya was the happiest country on the continent in 2024, with a happiness rating of 5.87, followed by 5.82 for Mauritius and 5.42 for South Africa.
Trends of the happiest African countries from 2000-2024
2000-2009: Stability and high scores
From 2000 to 2009, Mauritius registered the highest average happiness rating on the continent of Africa, 6.1. Libya and Algeria earned 5.8 and 5.4, respectively. The continent's average for this period was 4.5, with Sierra Leone earning 3.2, reflecting huge disparities.
2010-2015: Consistent rankings and decline
From 2010 to 2015, Mauritius had 5.9, and Libya had 5.7 in 2013 despite its unrest. Egypt's score went from 5.4 in 2007 to 4.3 in 2012 due to the Arab Spring. Tunisia's score increased by 6.46% in 2015 before declining by 8.98% due to political instability.
2016-2020: Widening disparities
From 2016-2020, the highest rating of 6.1 in 2020 for Mauritius, Libya had 5.49, then there was 5.23 for Côte d'Ivoire, 5.22 for Benin, 5.19 for Congo, and 3.93 for Sierra Leone, the worst. The average rating for Africa remained lower than the global average of 5.5, which meant significant regional variations.
2021-2024: Resilience and recovery
From 2021-2024, Libya was the best-performing African country with a rating of 5.87 in 2024 (66th internationally), then Mauritius with 5.82 (70th internationally), and South Africa with 5.42 (83rd internationally). The fourth spot went to Algeria with 5.36; Senegal had ten with 4.97. The regional average for Africa still lagged the international average of 5.56, indicating variations in happiness levels on the continent.
Conclusion
Over two decades, Libya and Mauritius have repeatedly ranked among the happiest countries in Africa. In 2024, Libya had 5.87 and was 66th on the international scale, followed by Mauritius with 5.82 and 70th rank. Third on the continent was South Africa with 5.42, followed by Algeria with 5.36.
There are wide disparities, however, with countries such as Lesotho and Sierra Leone scoring 3.19 and 3.25, respectively, in 2024. The regional average of 4.43 for Africa is still lower than 5.56 on the international scale, and there are signs of persisting troubles about governance, economic disparities, and political unrest.
FAQs
What is the most happiest country in Africa 2024?
According to the 2024 World Happiness Report, Libya is the happiest African country, 66th in the world, with a happiness score of 5.866.
What is the happiest African country?
Mauritius is the happiest African country, ranking 70th globally with a happiness score of 5.816.
What is the happiest country in the world 2013?
In 2013, the first World Happiness Report named Denmark the happiest country in the world.
Which country is the happiest in the world 2024?
Finland has been the happiest country in the world for the seventh year running, with a happiness score of 7.741.
