{UAH} Africa: Rwandans Among Happiest People Worldwide - Survey

A new study has ranked Rwanda among the best places to live, emerging top in Africa and 15th globally. Paraguay ranked highest worldwide in the survey conducted by an American research firm, Gallup.

Rwanda tied with the US and Bhutan, all recording an index score of 79, eight higher than the global mean of 71. In the region, Kenya emerged 33 with 77 index score (second in Africa), Tanzania 57th with 72, Uganda 90th with 64, while Burundi is in 100th position with 63 index score.

In Africa, third best is Mauritius in the 36the place globally with 76 index score, tying with Nigeria. South Africa follows at 43rd with 75 index score, Namibia and Senegal tied at 50th with 74, while Mali is at 55th with 73 index score.

Paraguay, Colombia and Ecuador scored the highest, while 10 Latin American countries top the list for the first time in 10 years.

The top 10 happiest countries in the world to live in are in Latin America, according to the survey.

Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Venezuela are in fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively, according to the survey.

The 10 least happiest countries, according to the survey, are Afghanistan, Nepal, Lithuania, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, Serbia, Bangladesh, Tunisia and Sudan, which scored the least (47).

The survey polled adults in 143 countries and asked them a series of questions about the previous day, including: 'Did you feel well-rested?' 'Did you feel respected all day?' 'Did you smile or laugh a lot?' 'Did you learn something or do something interesting?' and 'Did you feel enjoyment?'

More than 70 per cent of people throughout the world said they experienced enjoyment, respect, rest, and smiles the day before.

Respondents were also asked about their experience of positive and negative emotions.