This article looks at the 30 unhappiest countries in the world in 2025.
The Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford recently published the World Happiness Report 2025. Finland took the number one spot yet again, marking eight years in a row for the country. Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Norway also made the top 10. Costa Rica was ranked 6th, while Mexico took 10th place.
READ ALSO: 25 Unhappiest Cities in America and 10 Best Water Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds.
Ilana Ron Levey, the managing director at Gallup, noted that there is stability in countries that provide for their citizens, and that it should not come as a surprise to see Nordic countries dominate the list. She cited optimism about the future, a strong culture of family and friends support, and trust in institutions as the reasons behind the happiness levels of the Finnish people.
The report also highlighted the struggles of the unhappiest countries in the world, a majority of which are in Africa. The continent has been plagued by persistent economic hardship, political instability, conflict, poor health systems, and limited access to education, which significantly contribute to the dissatisfaction.
Recurrent droughts in Africa add to the discontent, as these have a severe impact on human health, water supply, food security, and economic stability. Drought has entered its third successive year in some parts of Africa, according to a recent report by the Copernicus Global Drought Observatory, reflecting the scale of the humanitarian crisis.
Several large corporations are putting in their funds and efforts to support vulnerable communities. In September 2024, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) and its bottling partners in Africa announced to invest approximately $25 million to address water-critical challenges in 20 African countries from 2024 through 2030.
Karyn Harrington, VP of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability at The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s Africa Operating Unit, stated the following on the efforts:
“Water is a priority for The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) and its local bottling partners because it is essential to life, the communities we serve, and our beverages. As we face increasing water insecurity worldwide, with demand outstripping supply in many regions such as Africa, Coca‑Cola is taking steps to help accelerate efforts to address water stress, protect local water resources, and build community climate resilience. Our 2030 Water Security Strategy focuses on helping enhance water security where we operate, source ingredients, and touch lives.”
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Our Methodology
We referred to the World Happiness Report 2025, a publication of the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, powered by Gallup World Poll. The report, released in March this year, ranked 147 countries based on their happiness levels. We have listed the bottom 30 countries from the report in descending order.
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30 Unhappiest Countries In The World in 2025:
30. India
World Happiness Report Ranking: 118
Despite improving eight positions from the 126th rank in 2024, India finds itself among the least happy countries. Analysts cite factors like congestion in cities, food and water insecurity, environmental pollution, and women’s safety as some reasons behind the country’s chronic unhappiness.
29. Chad
World Happiness Report Ranking: 119
Chad is next on the list of the unhappiest countries in the world. The African nation faces widespread poverty, food insecurity, political turmoil, and violent crime. Moreover, a high number of children in the country suffer from acute malnutrition.
28. Burkina Faso
World Happiness Report Ranking: 120
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, which is currently grappling with a dire humanitarian crisis, with more than 2 million internally displaced people. The country also faces security challenges due to the presence of several violent extremist groups within its territory.
27. Benin
World Happiness Report Ranking: 121
Benin faces significant challenges, including food insecurity, high poverty rates, and a lack of basic social services. According to a report, about two-fifths of the country’s population lives below the national poverty line. High fertility rates are further adding strain to the existing infrastructure and resources.
26. Somalia
World Happiness Report Ranking: 122
Somalia is among the unhappiest countries in the world. Political tensions, armed conflict, and climate shocks have put the country in a never-ending state of humanitarian crisis for well over three decades now. The recent drought, between 2021 and 2023, has put nearly half of Somalia’s population in a critical food crisis.
25. Mali
World Happiness Report Ranking: 123
Mali is grappling with several challenges, including internal displacement, epidemics, natural disasters, and armed violence. According to a UNICEF report in 2024, over 7 million people in the country needed humanitarian assistance. At least half a million school-aged children lack access to education.
24. Cambodia
World Happiness Report Ranking: 124
Cambodia is among the unhappiest countries in the world. It faces numerous challenges, such as limited access to necessities, high energy costs, and inadequate infrastructure. In 2022, psychotherapist Yim Sotheary cited income inequality as one of the reasons behind the country’s sadness.
23. Ghana
World Happiness Report Ranking: 125
Ghana’s ranking in the World Happiness Report declined this year. The country was ranked 125th in 2025, down from 120th position in 2024, reflecting the worsening happiness levels. The West African country is currently in the midst of its worst economic crisis in decades, with six in ten Ghanaians wanting to emigrate, according to a study.
22. Myanmar
World Happiness Report Ranking: 126
Myanmar is among the saddest countries in the world. The country has had a troubled history, marred by civil war, military coups, poor governance, and poverty. It is also under sanctions from several countries.
21. Togo
World Happiness Report Ranking: 127
Despite rising 20 places since 2013, Togo finds a place among the unhappiest countries in the world, due to poor governance, corruption, economic hardships, and security concerns. It is ranked 127th in the World Happiness Report for 2025.
20. Jordan
World Happiness Report Ranking: 128
Jordan is next on our list of the unhappiest countries in the world. Discontent in the country largely stems from economic challenges such as rising poverty and unemployment, as well as political limitations and ongoing conflicts in the neighborhood.
19. Liberia
World Happiness Report Ranking: 129
Liberia is an underdeveloped country in West Africa that faces significant challenges, such as persistent poverty, a weak law and order situation, and rampant corruption. It is ranked 129th in the World Happiness Report 2025, making it one of the saddest countries in the world.
18. Madagascar
World Happiness Report Ranking: 130
Madagascar is an island country located off the southeastern coast of Africa. It has one of the highest poverty rates in the world, with the situation regularly aggravated by recurring natural disasters. Moreover, road connectivity and government services in Madagascar remain poor, making it difficult for humanitarian agencies to reach people in dire need.
17. Zambia
World Happiness Report Ranking: 131
Zambia is one of the unhappiest countries in the world. Pervasive poverty, the lasting effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and drought continue to derail economic progress. According to a recent survey, a majority of Zambians are dissatisfied with the state of the economy and the country’s overall direction.
16. Ethiopia
World Happiness Report Ranking: 132
Ethiopia was ranked 132nd in the World Happiness Report for 2025. The country faces multiple humanitarian crises, resulting from an increasing frequency of droughts, ongoing conflicts, and epidemic outbreaks.
15. Sri Lanka
World Happiness Report Ranking: 133
Sri Lanka, which was ranked 128th in the 2024 World Happiness Report, dropped five places this year to 133rd. Over the last few years, the country has experienced major economic and political crises, which many analysts have described as the worst since its independence.
14. Bangladesh
World Happiness Report Ranking: 134
Bangladesh recorded its lowest ranking this year, after it was placed 134th in the World Happiness Report 2025, marking a decline from 129th in 2024. The country faces significant social, economic, and political challenges.
13. Egypt
World Happiness Report Ranking: 135
Egypt is among the unhappiest countries in the world, with consistently low happiness levels over the last several years. Major factors contributing to Egyptian discontent include political instability, economic challenges, and an unequal distribution of wealth.
12. Tanzania
World Happiness Report Ranking: 136
Next on our list of the saddest countries in the world is Tanzania. The country was ranked 136th in the World Happiness Report 2025. The report highlighted low levels of social connection, mutual support, and trust among its people.
11. Eswatini
World Happiness Report Ranking: 137
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is one of the saddest nations in the world, with a ranking of 137 on the World Happiness Report 2025. According to the World Bank, more than half of Eswatini’s population lives below the lower-middle-income poverty line, while 35% of the population is unemployed (as of 2023).
10. Lesotho
World Happiness Report Ranking: 138
Despite improving its happiness score by 0.6 points this year, Lesotho finds itself on the list of the unhappiest countries in the world after being ranked 138th in the 2025 World Happiness Report. Political instability, economic weakness, poverty, and inequality are often cited as reasons behind the nation’s sadness.
9. Comoros
World Happiness Report Ranking: 139
Comoros is located off the east coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean waters of the Mozambique Channel. It is among the unhappiest countries in the world in 2025, after falling seven places from last year.
8. Yemen
World Happiness Report Ranking: 140
War-torn Yemen is one of the world’s major humanitarian crises, with approximately 4.5 million people displaced and over 18 million people in dire need of assistance and protection. The country has dropped seven places from last year’s World Happiness Report, when it was ranked 133rd.
7. DR Congo
World Happiness Report Ranking: 141
DR Congo, in Central Africa, has faced decades of armed violence, food insecurity, and a fragile healthcare system that is often overwhelmed by regular disease outbreaks. It is ranked 141st in the World Happiness Report for 2025, dropping two ranks from last year.
6. Botswana
World Happiness Report Ranking: 142
Botswana is ranked among the unhappiest countries in the world, mainly due to concerns among citizens about a weakening economy. The country faces high rates of poverty, unemployment, and inequality.
