A RECENT survey by Gallup’s World Happiness Report unveils a significant surge of over 50 percent in happiness inequality across all age groups in sub-Saharan Africa over the past 12 years. The study compared self-reported happiness levels between 2021 and 2023 with data collected between 2006 and 2010, shedding light on shifting happiness dynamics within the region.
In 2010, individuals aged 60 and above were identified as the least happy group in 70 percent of African countries surveyed. However, in the latest findings, this age group now represents the least happy demographic in only about a third of the surveyed nations, indicating a rise in unhappiness among younger individuals.
The report also notes that negative emotions are equally prevalent in males and females under the age of 30, but tend to worsen with age, particularly among women. Overall, young people emerge as the happiest demographic in 28 out of the 40 surveyed countries in Africa.
Additionally, the report highlights the happiness rankings of the top three countries in Africa: Libya, Mauritius, and South Africa, which are placed 66th, 70th, and 83rd globally, respectively. These rankings provide insight into the happiness landscape within the region amidst growing inequality concerns.
