The Global Mind Project’s “Mental State of the World” report for 2024, Zimbabwe has been named the third happiest country in Africa, trailing behind Tanzania and Nigeria. This announcement comes amidst a global downturn in mental well-being, a trend that commenced with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and seemingly entrenched itself as the new norm worldwide.
The report, which compiled responses from over half a million individuals across 71 countries, sought to assess the mental health of populations through a multi-dimensional approach. This methodology spanned various aspects of mental health, including mood, social self, motivation, adaptability, cognition, and the mind-body connection, to paint a comprehensive picture of global mental health trends.
Despite the hopeful expectation that the end of pandemic-induced lockdowns would herald a rebound in mental well-being, data from 64 countries paints a starkly different picture. Instead of witnessing a recovery, the persistence of lowered mental health states suggests a worrying adjustment to these decreased levels of well-being.
The Global Mind Project’s findings echo the World Health Organization’s broader definition of mental well-being, which emphasizes an individual’s capability to manage stress and contribute meaningfully to their community. This approach aims to shed light on the emotional, social, and cognitive facets of mental health, moving beyond the traditional metrics of happiness or life satisfaction.
Interestingly, the report challenges the common assumption that wealth equates to happiness. Despite consistent global rankings since 2021, the analysis reveals that many countries in Africa and Latin America top the happiness charts, while nations in the Anglosphere lag behind. This observation is bolstered by the report’s identification of a negative correlation between a country’s economic indicators, such as GDP per capita and the Human Development Index, and its average mental well-being scores.
Notably, the UK found itself with a relatively low Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) of 49, whereas over ten African nations boasted MHQ scores above 60. Tanzania led the pack with an impressive score of 88, followed by Nigeria with 83, and Zimbabwe with 74, showcasing the diverse mental health landscapes across the continent.
The report also delves into the disparities within African happiness, highlighting the widening gaps in 2024. In comparison to the previous year, where Mauritius, Algeria, and South Africa were recognized as the continent’s happiest countries, the latest findings place Zimbabwe prominently in the third spot, with a mental health quotient significantly above the global average.
South Africa, on the other hand, ranks alarmingly low at 69th out of 71 countries surveyed, with a substantial 35% of its respondents categorized as distressed or struggling. This stark contrast within the African continent underscores the complex interplay between economic, social, and political factors and their impact on mental well-being.
The “Mental State of the World” report serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing challenges in addressing mental health globally and the need for concerted efforts to improve well-being across all nations. As countries like Zimbabwe make notable strides in fostering happiness and mental health among their populations, the findings encourage a deeper examination of the factors contributing to these outcomes, potentially offering valuable lessons for the rest of the world.
Source: NewZimbabwe
