Sierra Leone Tops Most Worried Nation Index

By JKM

A new Gallup survey has placed Sierra Leone at the top of the global list of nations, where people experience the highest levels of daily worry, underscoring the emotional toll of economic hardship and uncertainty that continues to weigh on the nation.

According to the 2025 State of the World’s Emotional Health report, two in three adults in Sierra Leone say they experience worry every day, a rate among the highest in the world. Neighboring Guinea follows closely, with both countries ranking among Gallup’s top ten for feelings of anger and sadness as well.

A Nation Under Pressure

The findings mirror the realities many Sierra Leoneans face today. The cost of living has surged, with food prices remaining persistently high and unemployment continuing to bite. The average household’s purchasing power has fallen sharply over the past year, eroding hope and confidence among working families.

“Every day is about survival,” says Aminata, a mother of three in Freetown’s Wellington community. “You wake up thinking about how to find food, how to pay school fees, how to keep your children safe. That kind of pressure never leaves you.”

Such anxieties are compounded by a slow economic recovery, limited job creation, and a currency that continues to lose ground against the U.S. dollar. While government efforts—such as youth employment initiatives, energy reforms, and local agricultural support—have shown promise, their impact has yet to reach many ordinary citizens.

Emotional Health Reflects Economic Reality

Gallup’s global analysts note that negative emotional experiences—worry, anger, and sadness—tend to rise in societies under economic strain or social instability. In Sierra Leone’s case, the persistence of these emotions reflects deeper issues: fragile livelihoods, high youth unemployment, and a widening gap between living costs and household incomes.

Even as the world moves past the peak of COVID-19-related distress, Sierra Leone’s emotional indicators remain alarmingly high. For many, economic frustration is now the new pandemic.

Finding Strength Amid Uncertainty

Yet, amid the worry, Sierra Leone’s communities continue to demonstrate resilience and solidarity. Across Freetown and the provinces, local initiatives—community farming, youth skill training, and women-led savings groups—are helping people cope with uncertainty and regain a sense of control.

Mental health advocates also see this moment as an opportunity to start a national conversation about emotional well-being. “We need to take mental health seriously,” says Dr. Kadiatu Sesay, a Freetown-based psychologist. “Worry is not just an emotion; it’s a symptom of deeper structural and social pressures. Addressing it means tackling poverty, .unemployment, and access to care.”

Turning Worry Into Action

As Sierra Leone tops the global worry chart, the challenge ahead is not just about statistics—it’s about translating concern into collective action. Policymakers, civil society, and communities all have a role to play in creating an environment where citizens feel secure and hopeful about tomorrow.

For now, the world’s most worried nation remains one of its most resilient. And in that resilience lies the promise of renewal—if the right investments in people and mental well-being are made today.