Is Africa really such an unhappy place?

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Some challenge the findings of a global happiness report

Larry Madowo

BBC Africa Business Editor

Many Africans on social media are pushing back against a United Nations report on happiness that ranked the continent’s countries poorly compared to Europe.

Mauritius was the highest ranked African nation in The World Happiness Report that had Finland leading.

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Larry Madowo✔@LarryMadowo

Finland named the happiest country in the world by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The happiest country in Africa is #57 – Mauritius. Why are you Africans so sad?1,0751:18 PM – Mar 20, 2019883 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacyReportReport this social embed, make a complaint

It was compiled from a Gallup poll of about 1,000 people around the world for the years 2016-2018 and is described as “a landmark survey of the state of global happiness that ranks 156 countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be”.

Some users on Twitter have dismissed the rankings as irrelevant or biased:

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Larry Madowo✔@LarryMadowo · Mar 20, 2019

Finland named the happiest country in the world by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The happiest country in Africa is #57 – Mauritius. Why are you Africans so sad?

GOLD @UrQueenCharisma

I’ve been there plenty of times and I can tell you with great certainty that Africans are much happier people6:22 PM – Mar 20, 2019 · Doha, QatarTwitter Ads info and privacySee GOLD ‘s other TweetsReportReport this social embed, make a complaint

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Larry Madowo✔@LarryMadowo · Mar 20, 2019

Finland named the happiest country in the world by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The happiest country in Africa is #57 – Mauritius. Why are you Africans so sad?

Yevgeniy@Awori_

The same Finland that has one of the highest suicide rates in the world? Please. pic.twitter.com/QZRjYqGDme801:32 PM – Mar 20, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy

33 people are talking about thisReportReport this social embed, make a complaint

Others agree with the findings of the report:

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Ngosa Whoopi Chungu@whoops_c

Zambia in 130s about 20 countries from bottom. I see consequences of our unhappiness every day.

We like to say we are warm, friendly – to others I agree. We treat ourselves, our fellow citizens really badly. We are in need of a serious countrywide self love & healing campaign.Larry Madowo✔@LarryMadowoFinland named the happiest country in the world by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The happiest country in Africa is #57 – Mauritius. Why are you Africans so sad?337:43 PM – Mar 20, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy20 people are talking about thisReportReport this social embed, make a complaint

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Larry Madowo✔@LarryMadowo · Mar 20, 2019

Finland named the happiest country in the world by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The happiest country in Africa is #57 – Mauritius. Why are you Africans so sad?

#Reparations@Afrique_Melanin

I’m seeing replies talking about Africans are happy in their own way. Why do Africans have difficulties acknowledging that happiness is co-related to your standard of living? Good health, social security, proper infrastructure, adequate food, proper clothing. Tusidanganyane sana1031:27 PM – Mar 20, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy34 people are talking about thisReportReport this social embed, make a complaint

The authors of the report say they focused on happiness and the community. The nations at the bottom of the ranking are typically affected by a combination of economic, political and social stresses.

The ranking is produced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network in partnership with the Ernesto Illy Foundation.

BBC Money Daily presenter Hudheifa Aden spoke to Hamburg-based Tanzanian comedian Captain Khalid who also rejected the findings but admits that life in Africa isn’t easy:

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