Kenya ranked among the least stressed countries in Africa, according to a report released in March 2024, while major Western nations like the United States and United Kingdom fared poorly.
The 4th Annual Mental State of the World Report showed 23% of Kenyans on average were either distressed or struggling, putting the East African nation fourth on the list. By contrast, 25% of Americans and 35% of Britons fell into those categories.
The ranking was based on countries with the highest percentages of citizens who are distressed or struggling, tallied out of 100%.
Kenya also ranked 28th globally and fourth in Africa for Mental Health Quotient scores, with 72 out of 100. Tanzania led Africa and was third worldwide with an MHQ of 88.
The Dominican Republic topped the rankings globally with 91, followed by Sri Lanka at 89. In Africa, Tanzania ranked first, trailed by Nigeria (83), Zimbabwe (74), Kenya (72) and Democratic Republic of Congo (71).
The report assessed mood, social skills, motivation, cognition, mind-body connection, adaptability and resilience. Across most countries, adaptability/resilience and motivation scored highest while mood and social skills were lowest.
Factors lowering rankings for the U.S. and U.K. included motivation as well as adaptability and resilience scores.
“In 2023, data from the Global Mind Project identified key factors…typically more prevalent in Internet-enabled populations of wealthier countries,” the report stated. Those included getting smartphones young, frequently eating ultra-processed foods and fraying friendships and family ties.
