Sierra Leone Ranks Second to Bottom in World Happiness Report 2026

Sierra Leone has been ranked 146th out of 147 countries in the newly released World Happiness Report 2026, placing just ahead of Afghanistan, which ranked last.

According to the report, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in partnership with Gallup, the country recorded a life evaluation score of 3.251 out of 10. Malawi ranked slightly higher at 145th, while Afghanistan remained at the bottom with a score of 1.446.

In contrast, Finland claimed the top spot for the ninth consecutive year, scoring 7.764, followed by other Nordic countries, with Costa Rica ranking fourth.

The annual report is based on data from the Gallup World Poll collected between 2023 and 2025. Respondents are asked to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale from 0 to 10. Rankings are determined using six key factors: income, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.

This year’s report also examined the impact of social media on youth wellbeing worldwide, highlighting how online engagement can influence mental health, particularly among younger populations.

The ranking underscores the challenges facing Sierra Leone, including economic stability, access to social services, and overall quality of life. The report provides a snapshot of national wellbeing and identifies areas where improvements could enhance citizens’ overall life satisfaction.