World Happiness Report Ranks Afghanistan as Unhappiest Country

Afghanistan has been ranked the unhappiest country in the world in the latest World Happiness Report, based on data from the Gallup World Poll covering more than 147 countries.

The report highlights Afghanistan's lowest levels of positive emotions among all nations and places it among the five countries with the highest negative emotions. Afghan women reported an average life satisfaction of 1.2 out of 10, with the report noting particularly difficult conditions for women in the country. No other country scored below 3 out of 10, with Sierra Leone at 3.2 marking it as the next unhappiest.

Finland topped the rankings with a score of 7.7 out of 10, followed by Iceland, Denmark and Costa Rica. Other top 10 countries include Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Israel, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Costa Rica's fourth-place position represents the highest ranking yet for a Latin American country.

Among the five unhappiest countries after Afghanistan are Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Sierra Leone, which scored nearly two points higher than Afghanistan.

The United States placed 23rd, down from 20th about a decade ago.

The rankings evaluate quality of life, economic conditions, life expectancy, sense of freedom, levels of trust and justice in society, and trust in government. The report was produced in collaboration with the Gallup Institute, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the United Nations' SDG Happiness Initiative and the Editorial Board of the World Happiness Report.