More Africans Than Ever Are Unhappy, World Happiness Report Reveals

More Africans than ever are unhappy, World Happiness Report revealsBishkek (AKIpress) - Africa's economic fortunes may be improving, but that doesn't seem to make its citizens any happier. According to the latest World Happiness Report, released ahead of UN World Happiness Day (March 20), a majority of the least happy countries are in Sub Saharan Africa, Quartz reported.

Lowest ranked countries on 2016 World Happiness Report

Madagascar 148

Tanzania 149

Liberia 150

Guinea 151

Rwanda 152

Benin 153

Afghanistan 154

Togo 155

Syria 156

Burundi 157

But the high levels of unhappiness can also be linked to growing awareness among a young, discerning generation of Africans who are more critical and conscious of the shortcomings of their governments, leaders, and local institutions. For one thing Africa's populations are much younger and faster growing than anywhere else in the world. Another consideration is rising Internet penetration and its ability to open up the continent to the rest of the world for some of these young people through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp among others.

Increasingly, young Africans have pushed for higher standards from their leaders. While the results have no doubt been mixed, the trend is undeniable. In South Africa, the continent's second largest economy, president Jacob Zuma has been facing immense criticism and pressure over the past year as the #ZumaMustFall protests, led mainly by young South Africans, have demanded his resignation.

Young Nigerians have also found a voice on social media which now serves as a leading platform for political conversations. Perhaps, unhappy with this newfound awareness and in a bid to quell it, Nigerian lawmakers are seeking to pass a bill that would censor social media. Across the continent, Internet censorship is a...