The Human Development Index (HDI), published annually by the UN, ranks nations according to their citizens’ quality of life rather than strictly by a nation’s traditional economic figures. The criteria for calculating rankings include life expectancy, educational attainment, and adjusted real income. The 2005 index is based on 2003 figures.
- “Most Liveable” Countries, 2005
- 1. Norway
- 2. Iceland
- 3. Australia
- 4. Luxembourg
- 5. Canada
- 6. Sweden
- 7. Switzerland
- 8. Ireland
- 9. Belgium
- 10. United States
- 11. Japan
- 12. Netherlands
- 13. Finland
- 14. Denmark
- 15. United Kingdom
- 16. France
- 17. Austria
- 18. Italy
- 19. New Zealand
- 20. Germany
- “Least Liveable” Countries, 2005
- 1. Niger
- 2. Sierra Leone
- 3. Burkina Faso
- 4. Mali
- 5. Chad
- 6. Guinea-Bissau
- 7. Central African Republic
- 8. Ethiopia
- 9. Burundi
- 10. Mozambique
- 11. Congo, Dem. Rep. of
- 12. Zambia
- 13. Malawi
- 14. Tanzania
- 15. Côte d’Ivoire
- 16. Benin
- 17. Eritrea
- 18. Angola
- 19. Rwanda
- 20. Nigeria
Source: Human Development Report, 2005, United Nations. Web: hdr.undp.org