Zimbabwe has earned the unfortunate distinction of being the globe’s most miserable nation, according to Hanke’s Annual Misery Index (HAMI). This southern African country has been grappling with soaring inflation rates, which reached 243.8 percent in the previous year.
The index reveals that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s policies and those of his ZANU-PF party have significantly contributed to the immense suffering experienced by Zimbabwe’s population.
Economist Steve Hanke determined the 2022 rankings for Hanke’s Annual Misery Index by considering factors such as unemployment, inflation, bank lending rates, and the percentage change in GDP. Out of the 157 countries assessed, Switzerland was deemed the least miserable nation worldwide.
The 15 most miserable countries included Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Argentina, Yemen, Ukraine, Cuba, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Haiti, Angola, Tonga, and Ghana. India was ranked 103rd on the list of the world’s most miserable countries, with unemployment identified as the primary cause of misery in the country.
India performed better in terms of misery compared to countries like Brazil (ranked 27th), Pakistan (35th), Nepal (63rd), and Sweden (88th).
Finland, which has consistently topped the World Happiness Report as the happiest country for six consecutive years, was placed 109th on the misery index. Meanwhile, the United States secured a position among the least miserable nations, ranking 134th.
