Nigeria has fallen three places in the 2025 UN-backed World Happiness Report, now ranking 105th out of 147 countries, down from 102nd in last year’s report.

Within Africa, Nigeria is now the 10th happiest country.

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Key Takeaways

• Decline in global standing: The drop suggests Nigeria’s overall well-being indicators (such as social support, life expectancy, perceptions of corruption, freedom, GDP per capita, generosity) have weakened relative to other countries.
• Top African performers: Libya leads among African nations in the report, placed at 79th globally. Mauritius and Algeria also rank above Nigeria.
• Global context: Finland retains its position as the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year, with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden completing the top four.

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Implications & Challenges

• Worsening quality-of-life signals: The slide in ranking likely reflects increasing economic, social, or governance pressures — for many citizens, satisfaction with life might be eroding.
• Need for policy action: To arrest and reverse this decline, emphasis could be placed on improving social services, reducing corruption, enhancing public trust, and strengthening healthcare and safety nets.
• Opportunity in community & social support: The report highlights the rising importance of “caring and sharing” (social connection, generosity) as a key predictor of happiness. Boosting communal bonds could help offset deficits in other areas.