By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Every year, the world gets warmer — and some countries are feeling the full force of it.
From the burning deserts of North Africa to the sun-soaked coasts of the Middle East, these nations experience heat that tests endurance, reshapes daily life, and even threatens survival.
Below is a look at the ten hottest countries on Earth, based on average year-round temperatures, natural geography, and climate patterns:
1. Burkina Faso
Sitting landlocked in the heart of West Africa, Burkina Faso tops the heat chart with an average temperature of nearly 30°C.
The country’s arid Sahel landscape receives little rainfall, and the harmattan winds — dry and dusty from the Sahara — often blanket the nation.
Agriculture suffers under prolonged dry seasons, but locals have adapted through early-morning farming and mud-brick homes that cool faster at night.
2. Mali
Mali’s vast deserts and flat plains make it one of the most sun-scorched places on Earth.
Temperatures frequently rise above 45°C in the north, especially around Timbuktu.
The Niger River offers a narrow lifeline of greenery amid the aridity.
Despite the brutal heat, Mali’s cultural richness and desert festivals remain symbols of resilience in one of the planet’s hottest nations.
3. Senegal
Although Senegal borders the ocean, its inland areas are relentlessly hot.
The Sahelian climate means short rainy seasons and long, dry months.
Daytime temperatures often exceed 40°C, particularly in regions like Tambacounda.
However, coastal cities such as Dakar enjoy slightly milder temperatures thanks to Atlantic winds — a blessing that makes the country’s coastal tourism thrive despite the heat.
4. Mauritania
Nearly three-quarters of Mauritania is covered by the Sahara Desert, which explains why it regularly records scorching heat.
Average annual temperatures hover around 29°C, and daytime highs can soar to 50°C in the desert heartlands.
Nomadic communities have long mastered desert survival, relying on tents, robes, and minimal movement during the sun’s peak hours.
5. The Gambia
The smallest country on mainland Africa also ranks among the hottest.
Despite its lush river valleys, The Gambia endures unrelenting heat and humidity.
Average temperatures range from 27°C to 35°C throughout the year, and the combination of tropical moisture and blazing sunshine creates a climate that’s both beautiful and brutal.
6. Qatar
In the Middle East, Qatar epitomises extreme heat.
The desert nation experiences summer highs of up to 50°C, making outdoor life almost impossible during midday.
Despite that, Qatar’s wealth has enabled it to adapt: fully air-conditioned stadiums, cooled public transport, and high-tech climate management systems.
The contrast between natural heat and human innovation is striking here.
7. United Arab Emirates
The UAE is another Gulf nation that lives under constant sunshine.
Cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are global icons, yet they sit in one of the harshest climates on Earth.
Humidity from the Persian Gulf adds to the discomfort, making the heat feel far more oppressive.
Still, advanced infrastructure — shaded walkways, water misting systems, and energy-efficient buildings — helps residents and tourists endure it.
8. Bahrain
This small island in the Persian Gulf might look picturesque, but it ranks high on the world’s heat scale.
Average temperatures sit around 29°C, with hot, dry winds blowing off the desert.
Humidity is also a challenge, as the surrounding sea traps heat and moisture.
Bahrain’s modern cityscape, however, reflects efforts to manage heat through green architecture and sustainable design.
9. Guinea-Bissau
Unlike the arid countries of the Sahara, Guinea-Bissau’s heat is tropical and wet. Average temperatures remain near 28°C year-round, and the humidity makes it feel even hotter.
Rainforests and mangrove swamps cover much of the land, creating a steamy environment that supports diverse wildlife but challenges human comfort.
10. Benin
Benin, another West African nation, rounds off the list with an average temperature close to 28.6°C.
The southern coast is humid and tropical, while the northern regions bake under dry Sahelian heat.
Increasing urbanisation has made the heat more noticeable, with cities like Cotonou struggling against the “urban heat island” effect.