A new pilot study released this week reports that the average Happiness Index score among Ghanaians is 4.70 out of a possible 7.00, indicating moderate subjective well‑being across the country. The research, titled “A Pilot Study of a Subjective Happiness Index in Ghana,” was carried out by Ishmael D. Norman, Eric S. Afli, Saralees Nadarajah and Emmanuel D. Kpeglo and surveyed 833 respondents from rural and urban households in Ashanti, Bono East, Eastern, Greater Accra, Oti and Volta between February 1 and March 31, 2024.
The study employed the Happiness Alliance 62‑item index, which evaluates ten domains of well‑being, including psychological health, healthcare access, time balance, community belonging, social support, education and culture, environmental quality, governance, material well‑being and work satisfaction. All ten areas showed a positive link to overall happiness, with material well‑being registering the strongest correlation (r = 0.79) followed by work satisfaction (r = 0.74). Psychological well‑being topped the individual domain scores at a mean of 5.76, while governance recorded the lowest mean of 3.45.
Respondents expressed widespread concerns about trust in public institutions, accountability and corruption, as well as environmental issues such as pollution, land degradation and biodiversity loss. More than 70% of participants agreed that they had a sense of purpose in life and positive interpersonal relationships, and over 85% felt understood and supported by friends and family, underscoring the importance of Ghana’s extended family systems.
Regional variations were evident: the Eastern Region posted the highest happiness mean at 4.99, followed by Ashanti at 4.97, while the Volta Region recorded the lowest at 3.64. Men reported a slightly higher mean (4.76) than women (4.63), and married respondents scored higher (4.82) than widowed ones (4.52). Income and household size also correlated positively with happiness, with those earning above GH¢60,000 annually reporting a mean of 5.57 versus 4.49 for those earning below GH¢20,000.
The researchers cautioned that the findings should not be taken as a nationally representative picture, noting the study’s non‑probability convenience sampling and limited regional coverage. They called for future research using nationally representative probability samples to validate and extend these results. The study also recommends institutionalising a multidimensional happiness measurement tool alongside conventional economic indicators to better inform policy planning and public accountability.
As Ghana continues to grapple with governance and environmental challenges, the study’s insights could help policymakers track social, institutional and ecological conditions over time and align development priorities with citizens’ well‑being.
