Uganda Ranked 19th Happiest Country in Africa: Is Uganda a Happy or Unhappy Nation?

What does it mean to be happy? Different studies try to measure it, but they don’t always agree.

One such study, the Global Flourishing Study, looked at how young people in 22 countries feel about life. Many were unhappy with their health, money, relationships, and purpose.

Uganda was not part of this study. However, the 2024 World Happiness Report included Uganda and gives some insight into the country’s situation.

In the 2024 World Happiness Report, Uganda was ranked 117th out of 143 countries, with a score of 4.372 out of 10. This is slightly lower than the 2023 score of 4.433, when Uganda ranked 113th.

Uganda still scored higher than some neighbours like Tanzania, which ranked 131st. In Africa, it ranks 19th.

Young Ugandans, especially those under 30, are more likely to report being content. Older people, particularly those over 60, report lower happiness. Some believe this is because they lived through difficult times, including political instability and conflict.

The report looks at six areas: income, social support, life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and views on corruption.

Uganda does better in areas like social support and personal freedom. But issues like corruption, poor healthcare, and low income levels make it hard for many people to feel satisfied with life.

In the East African region, Uganda is in the middle. Kenya ranks just above Uganda at 114th, while Tanzania is lower. The figures suggest Uganda has challenges but is not in the worst position.

To improve happiness levels, Uganda may need to focus on better healthcare, fair economic growth, and reducing corruption. Bridging the gap between young and older people in terms of life satisfaction is also important.

Uganda is not among the highest-scoring nations, but with clear steps, it could build a future where more people feel satisfied with their lives