Based on the United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Index, 24/7 Wall St. has compiled a list of the most and least livable countries. Data from the Human Development Index is based on three dimensions of human progress: Having a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and having a good standard of living. According to 24/7 Wall St.'s finding, Norway is the most livable country, while Nigeria is considered to be the least livable.
Before we jump into the list of the most livable countries, it's important to note the factors that can influence a country's development:
Income
- The 10 most livable countries had among the top 30 gross national incomes per person. The top-rated country, Norway, had the world's sixth highest gross national income per capita of $63,909.
- Six of the 10 least livable countries were among the bottom 10 countries by gross national income per capita. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, which had the lowest gross national income per capita in the world, at just $444 last year, was the second least developed country worldwide.
Life Expectancy
- Switzerland, Australia, and Singapore all among the top rated countries with life expectancies greater than 82 years for individual born in 2013.
- In all but one of the world's least developed nations, the life expectancy for a person born in 2013 is less than 60 years. Sierra Leone, the fifth lowest ranked nation, had the worst life expectancy at just 45.6 years, and then highest mortality rates for infants and children under five.
Education
- In all but one of the world's most developed countries, residents aged 25 and older spent an average of more than 12 years in school.
- In all of the world's least developed countries, on average adult residents had less than four years of education.
Other Factors Considered
- Inequality measures
- Mortality measures
- Poverty rates
- Expenditures on health and education as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP)
Now, let's take a look at the 10 Most Livable Countries.
10. Denmark
Human Development Index score: 0.900 (out of a possible 1.000)
Gross national income per capita: $42,880 (16th highest)
Life expectancy at birth: 79.4 years (34th highest)
Expected years of schooling: 16.9 years (10th highest)
Other: Access to one the the world's best health and welfare systems; their government spends more as a percent of its GDP than most of the world on health and education; new mothers and fathers have access to a year's parental leave; one of the best countries in the world for gender equality.
9. Singapore
Human Development Index score: 0.901 (out of a possible 1.000)
Gross national income per capita: $72,371 (4th highest)
Life expectancy at birth: 82.3 years (6th highest)
Expected years of schooling: 15.4 years (39th highest)
Other: Most livable country in Asia; students have achieved some of the world's best scores in math, science, and reading; physically small yet entirely urban, and home to a population of 5.4 million as of last year.
8. Canada
Human Development Index score: 0.902 (out of a possible 1.000)
Gross national income per capita: $41,887 (19th highest)
Life expectancy at birth: 81.5 years (14th highest)
Expected years of schooling: 15.9 years (25th highest)
Other: Virtually all Canadians 25 and older had at least some secondary education; the average performance of 15 year olds in math, science and reading were among the best in the world in 2012; national health insurance system covers medically necessary procedures, providing nearly all Canadians will access to medical care.
7. New Zealand
Human Development Index score: 0.910 (out of a possible 1.000)
Gross national income per capita: $32,569 (30th highest)
Life expectancy at birth: 81.1 years (17th highest)
Expected years of schooling: 19.4 years (2nd highest)
Other: 7.2% of the country's GDP was invested in education in 2012, making it one of the highest expenditures worldwide; students consistently performed above-average on international assessment tests.
6. Germany
Human Development Index score: 0.911 (out of a possible 1.000)
Gross national income per capita: $43,049 (14th highest)
Life expectancy at birth: 80.7 years (20th highest)
Expected years of schooling: 16.3 years (18th highest)
Other: One of the largest economies in the world, with a GDP of close to $3.4 trillion in 2012; 100% of retirement age residents receive a pension; requires both employers and employees to together contribute around 40% of a worker's gross wages towards pension insurance, health insurance, unemployment insurance, and other elements of the German safety net.
5. United States
Human Development Index score: 0.914 (out of a possible 1.000)
Gross national income per capita: $52,308 (11th highest)
Life expectancy at birth: 78.9 years (36th highest)
Expected years of schooling: 16.5 years (13th highest)
Other: Has the world's biggest economy with a GDP of nearly $16 trillion in 2012; despite the American struggle with income, gender inequality, and health care issues, the country offers some of the best opportunities in education, science, business and the arts.
4. Netherlands
Human Development Index score: 0.915 (out of a possible 1.000)
Gross national income per capita: $42,397 (17th highest)
Life expectancy at birth: 81.0 years (18th highest)
Expected years of schooling: 17.9 years (10th highest)
Other: Among the more equitable countries measured by the U.N.; scored well in gender equality due to its low maternal mortality rate, low teen birth rate, and high level of female representation in parliament.
3. Switzerland
Human Development Index score: 0.917 (out of a possible 1.000)
Gross national income per capita: $53,762 (9th highest)
Life expectancy at birth: 82.6 years (3rd highest)
Expected years of schooling: 15.7 years (10th highest)
Other: Known for its political and economic stability; scored among the highest in terms of gender equality; less than two teen pregnancies per 1,000 people reported in 2010; recently approved quotas and other controls on immigration.
2. Australia
Human Development Index score: 0.933 (out of a possible 1.000)
Gross national income per capita: $41,524 (20th highest)
Life expectancy at birth: 82.5 years (4th highest)
Expected years of schooling: 19.9 years (the highest)
Other: Residents 25 and older had spent more time in school than adults in any other country; the unemployment rate was far lower than similar developed countries in Europe and the U.S.; in recent years, the economy benefited tremendously from a mining boom.
1. Norway
Human Development Index score: 0.944 (out of a possible 1.000)
Gross national income per capita: $63,909 (6th highest)
Life expectancy at birth: 81.5 years (13th highest)
Expected years of schooling: 17.6 years (6th highest)
Other: According to the Human Development Index, no country is more livable than Norway; oil revenue has helped the country's wealth and accounts for a majority of its exports; 100% of retirement age residents receive a pension; Norwegians enjoy particularly good health outcomes.
