African countries among world's least happy

South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and the Central African Republic (CAR) are amongst the unhappiest countries in the world, according to the UN’s World Happiness Index.

Only Afghanistan beats them to bottom place of the 153 countries listed.

Finland has been named the world's happiest country for the third year running.

Nordic countries make up four of the top five places with the authors saying the happiest places are those where people feel a sense of belonging, and trust their fellow citizens and institutions.

The researchers asked people around the world to assess their own levels of happiness, as well as taking account of factors such as national income and levels of corruption.

This year's report was compiled before the coronavirus pandemic.

Top five:

1) Finland
2 Denmark
3) Switzerland
4) Iceland
5) Norway
Bottom five:

149) Central African Republic
150) Rwanda
151) Zimbabwe
152) South Sudan
153) Afghanistan