Nigeria in World Happiness Ranking
In the 2017 World Happiness Report, 44 African countries were polled by Gallup, including the island states of Mauritius and Madagascar. The purpose of the survey is to measure the happiness and well-being.
In an early study of 13 countries carried out by Hadley Cantril in the 1960s using the ladder of life on a scale of 0 to 1 (1 representing the most happy) measure as the yardstick for ranking countries on global happiness. Nigeria’s ladder ratings in the 1960 study was 4.8, while the ratings in the World Happiness Report 2017 report was 5.074 signifying a 6% increase from the 1960 point.
Indicators measured include;
- GDP per capita;
- Social support;
- Healthy life expectancy;
- Freedom to make life choices;
- Generosity; and
- Perceptions of corruption.
Nigeria occupies the 6th position in Africa and 95th on the global happiness scale.
The mean happiness for sub-Saharan Africa is 4.292, this indicates that on the average Nigerians are still happier than other sub-Sahara Africans.
Testing this happiness data, do you believe as a Nigerian that you are happier?
Report Source : Helliwell, J., Layard, R., & Sachs, J. (2017). World Happiness Report 2017, New York: Sustainable Development Solutions Network.