Zim among least happy countries: UN agency

ZIMBABWE has been adjudged as one of the most unhappy countries in the latest World Happiness Report 2021 prepared by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

The country was ranked 148th out of 149 countries, beating only Afghanistan.

World Happiness Reports are based on a wide variety of data and depend on the Gallup World Poll, which is unique in the range and comparability of its global series of annual surveys.

The report was compiled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of the factors that were considered in coming up with the level of happiness for each country included issues to do with life under COVID-19, happiness, trust, and deaths under COVID-19, coronavirus prevalence and well-being, mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic, social connection and work and well-being during COVID-19; its impact and inequalities, resilience, living long and well, among others.

While Zimbabwe was ranked one of the least happy countries, most African countries did not fare any better in the World Happiness Report 2021.

Finland came out as the happiest country in the world, followed by Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Other countries on the list include the United States, which moved up from 18th to 14th place, and the United Kingdom, which dropped from 13th to 18th position.

Neighbouring South Africa was ranked 103rd, Malawi 144th, Lesotho 145th, Botswana 146th, and Rwanda 147th.