According to a recent report, Kenyans’ happiness levels have declined this year, marking the first decrease since 2018.
The 2024 World Happiness Report places Kenya at 114th out of 143 countries surveyed, a decline from 111th place in the previous year’s report. Happiness scores were determined based on individuals’ self-assessments of their lives.
The last time Kenya experienced a decline was in 2018 when it ranked 124th, dropping from 112th place in 2017. Finland continues to hold the title of the world’s happiest country, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Israel. On the other hand, the countries with the lowest happiness scores, according to the report, are Congo (139), Sierra Leone (140), Lesotho (141), Lebanon (142), and Afghanistan (143).
In comparison to its neighbors, Kenya ranks higher than Uganda (117), Egypt (127), Ethiopia (130), Tanzania (131), and Malawi (136).
The report reveals that globally, young people (those under 30) are the happiest, ranking 109th, while the upper middle-aged group (aged 45 to 59) are the least happy, ranking 123rd. Both the lower middle-aged group (30 to 44) and the elderly (over 60) have similar happiness scores, ranking 119th globally.
Produced annually in collaboration with the American management consulting company Gallup, the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the World Happiness Report has become a significant indicator of global well-being.
The release of this report coincides with a challenging period for Kenyans, who are facing a high cost of living and increased government taxation.
President William Ruto’s administration has implemented new taxes, including the recent signing of the Affordable Housing Act, which requires Kenyans to contribute 1.5% of their gross pay to a controversial housing levy. Additionally, the government raised contributions to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) last year and made other tax revisions, resulting in increased prices for various essential goods
