These Are 10 Least Happiest Countries As Per World Happiness Report 2025
Togo, which held the lowest rank in 2013, has improved by 20 places, with its average life evaluation rising by 1.4 points.
World Happiness Report 2025: Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has once again been ranked as the least happy nation globally, according to the World Happiness Index 2025. One of the key contributing factors behind Afghanistan's position is the severe restrictions on the rights of women, who make up half of the country's population, significantly impacting their overall well-being and happiness.
The report, compiled by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with the UN and an independent editorial board, was launched on Mar. 20. It evaluates nations on six key factors such as Social support, GDP per capita, Healthy life expectancy, Freedom, Generosity, and Perceptions of corruption.
Besides Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone were also among those ranked in the bottom 10 nations, reflecting the impact of political instability, social inequality, and curb on freedom in these nations.
10 Least Happiest Countries
Afghanistan: Ranks 147th, making it the least happy country in the world. Since 2012, its happiness score has declined by -2.676 points. Compared to last year, when it ranked 143rd, Afghanistan has dropped four places.
Sierra Leone: It holds the 146th position this year, with a happiness decline of -1.320 points since 2012. In the last rankings, it was placed 140th, which means it has fallen six spots.
Lebanon: It has been ranked 145th this time, reflecting a decline of -1.743 points since 2012. Last year, it occupied the 142nd position, marking a drop of three places this time.
Malawi: It’s ranked 144th place this year, with a happiness decrease of -0.853 points since 2012. In the 2023 rankings, Malawi was 136th, indicating a significant drop of eight places.
Zimbabwe: The country has been ranked 143rd this time, with a happiness decline of -1.431 points since 2012. Last year, it was ranked 138th, meaning its ranking has fallen by five places.
Botswana: This is positioned 142nd this year, showing a -0.532 point drop in happiness since 2012. Previously, it ranked 137th, reflecting a fall of five places.
Democratic Republic Of The Congo: DR Congo ranks 141st this time, with a happiness decline of -1.109 points since 2012. Last year, DR Congo was placed 139th, meaning it has dropped two ranks.
Yemen: It’s ranked 140th this time, with a -0.493 point decrease in happiness since 2012. In the last rankings, it held the 133rd position, which means a drop of seven places this time.
Comoros: It occupies the 139th spot, experiencing a -0.097 point decline in happiness since 2012. Last time, Comoros ranked 132nd, reflecting a decrease of seven ranks.
Lesotho: It ranks 138th, with a -1.141 point drop in happiness since 2012. Last time, Lesotho was ranked below Afghanistan, but this year, it has shown an improvement by moving up.
ALSO READ
These Are 10 Most Happiest Countries As Per World Happiness Report 2025; Where Does India Stand?
According to the report, comparing rankings over time is challenging, as 156 countries were ranked in 2013, while only 147 were included this year. Togo, which held the lowest rank in 2013, has improved by 20 places, with its average life evaluation rising by 1.4 points. In contrast, Afghanistan has experienced a sharp decline, dropping by almost 2.7 points between 2012 and 2025.
