South Africa Happiness Index
South Africa's happiness index fell to 5.21 points in 2024, down from 5.42 points in 2023, according to The World Happiness Report 2025. This represents a decrease of 3.9% (0.21) from the previous year. South Africa has happiness index lower than the global median (5.21 points vs median 5.82 points). Compared with the median in Africa, South Africa is higher (5.21 points vs regional median 4.35 points) and ranks 4th out of 47 countries in Africa.
South Africa's life expectancy rose to 66.14 years in 2023, up from 65.45 years in 2022.
Yearly Historical Data (2011-2024)
(in 0 (worst life) to 10 (best life))South Africa Happiness Index : Definition
The Happiness Index of South Africa is the national average of self-reported life evaluations on a 0-10 ladder scale, where 0 represents the worst possible life and 10 the best possible life, explained by factors such as income, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.