World’s Angriest Country! New Report Calls “Switzerland Of Middle East” As The Nation With Most Furious People

A country has earned an unenviable title in Gallup’s 2024 Global Emotions Report—it’s officially the angriest country in the world. Nearly half (49%) of its population reported feeling angry, underscoring the emotional toll of its ongoing socio-political crises.

This emotional turmoil isn’t isolated; neighboring countries like Türkiye and Armenia also report similarly high anger levels, painting a regional picture of collective distress.

Türkiye ranks second, with 48% of its citizens expressing anger, followed by Armenia in third place. Other nations grappling with elevated anger include Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan, Mali, and Sierra Leone.

In the Gallop report, El Salvador emerged as the world’s happiest and most optimistic country, while Lebanon emerged as the angriest.

Gallup’s annual report sheds light on global emotional well-being, painting a stark picture of Lebanon’s deeply negative emotional landscape—a reflection of the immense political, economic, and social pressures its citizens face.

Gallup’s 2024 Global Emotions Report

Gallup’s annual Global Emotions Report is a deep dive into nations’ emotional states, measuring experiences that economic indicators like GDP fail to capture.

The 2024 edition, based on nearly 146,000 interviews across 142 countries, paints a sobering picture of global negativity. It tracks emotions such as anger, stress, worry, and sadness, highlighting their correlation with civil unrest and instability.

Lebanon’s rank as the angriest nation underscores the struggles of a population burdened by political chaos, economic collapse, and social turmoil. This anger, shared by nearly half the country’s population, reflects the broader societal tensions brewing beneath the surface.

Lebanon – A Nation At The Crossroads

Perched on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, Lebanon is a small but geopolitically pivotal nation in the Middle East. Known for its rich history and vibrant mercantile traditions, it has long served as a commercial gateway to the region.

Lebanon was also nicknamed the “Switzerland of the Middle East” until the early 1970s due to its unique status as a secure banking hub for Gulf Arabs, a snow-capped holiday destination, a growing economy, a high literacy rate, and relative political stability, security, and peace.

However, Lebanon’s geography has placed it at the heart of many Middle Eastern conflicts. Sharing borders with Syria and Israel, the country’s location has made it a focal point for regional power struggles.

Its diverse population—comprising Shia and Sunni Muslims, Christians, and Druze—reflects a centuries-old legacy as a refuge for minorities but also adds to its complex and often fragile communal dynamics.

The Roots Of Lebanon’s Civil Unrest

The rise of Hezbollah in 1982 marked a significant turning point in Lebanon’s history. Amid a shifting demographic and political landscape, Hezbollah, initially a militant group, grew heavily reliant on Iran. Trained by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hezbollah began to form a “state within a state” in Lebanon.

Its military prowess, supported by Iranian funding, left Lebanon’s other militias and even its national army struggling to compete. Hezbollah’s political evolution was equally profound.

In 1992, with approval from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, it entered the political sphere, securing seats in both parliamentary and municipal elections. Over time, it aligned with pro-Syrian factions, consolidating power across Lebanon.

Today, Hezbollah’s military wing, known as the “Islamic Resistance of Lebanon,” is the largest and most well-equipped non-state military force globally. Estimates on its strength vary: while the U.S. military suggests around 40,000 to 50,000 fighters, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) believe its number is closer to 20,000 to 25,000, with large reserves.

Recent Escalations And Shifting Alliances

The situation escalated further on October 7, 2023, following Hamas’s attack on Israel. Hezbollah responded by shelling Israeli territories, and Israel retaliated by striking Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.

This conflict displaced over 150,000 civilians on both sides of the border. Tensions continued into 2024, with Israel’s military operations intensifying, targeting top Hezbollah commanders and leaving hundreds of Lebanese civilians dead.

In July 2024, Hezbollah launched an attack on the Golan Heights, resulting in the deaths of 12 people. In response, Israel targeted and eliminated senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. Tensions escalated further on September 17, when a series of pager explosions injured over 2,000 Hezbollah commanders.

By September 23, Israel intensified its military campaign, with the IDF announcing the elimination of key Hezbollah leaders, including Ibrahim Muhammad Qubaisi, head of rocket forces; Muhammad Hussein Srour, commander of air forces; Ibrahim Aqil, leader of special operations and Hassan Nasrallah, secretary-general of Hezbollah. The strikes also caused widespread devastation in Lebanon, with reports of hundreds of civilian casualties.

The political landscape within Hezbollah also saw a seismic shift when Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, appointed Brigadier General Mahmoud Reza Falakhzadeh as Hezbollah’s new leader in October 2024. This move has sparked outrage within Lebanon, with many seeing it as further confirmation of Hezbollah’s growing role as a proxy for Iranian interests.

Lebanon’s Economic Collapse

The ongoing conflict has severely damaged Lebanon’s economy. According to the World Bank report, the war’s physical damage and economic losses amounted to US$8.5 billion, with infrastructure damage alone totaling US$3.4 billion. The Lebanese economy is expected to shrink by 6.6% in 2024.

The human cost is equally devastating. The conflict has displaced over 875,000 people, including women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and refugees, who are particularly at risk.

Additionally, the crisis has led to significant job losses, with 166,000 individuals unemployed, resulting in an estimated US$168 million in lost earnings.

While a recent ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the US and France, has allowed more than 1.2 million displaced Lebanese to begin returning home, Lebanon’s path to economic recovery remains uncertain. The country faces the monumental challenge of rebuilding its shattered infrastructure and economy after years of war and political collapse.

A Fragmented Future

The ongoing conflict has the potential to reshape Lebanon’s future. With Hezbollah’s dominance and Israel’s actions continuing to push the country to the brink, Lebanon may eventually break into a confederation of autonomous regions.

This decentralization, marked by weak central authority, could become a new model for the Middle East, influencing how neighboring nations handle their own sectarian and political divisions.

The future of Lebanon, particularly the Shiite community and Hezbollah’s role, remains uncertain as tensions escalate and external powers assert their influence.