Most and Least Livable Countries: UN Human Development Index, 2006

Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff

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 2006 index is based on 2004 figures.

“Most Livable” Countries, 2006
1. Norway 16. France
2. Iceland 17. Italy
3. Australia 18. United Kingdom
4. Ireland 19. Spain
5. Sweden 20. New Zealand
6. Canada 21. Germany
7. Japan 22. Israel
8. United States 23. Greece
9. Switzerland 24. Singapore
10. Netherlands 25. Korea, Rep. of
11. Finland 26. Slovenia
12. Luxembourg 27. Portugal
13. Belgium 28. Cyprus
14. Austria 29. Czech Republic
15. Denmark 30. Barbados
“Least Livable” Countries, 2006
1. Niger 16. Tanzania
2. Sierra Leone 17. Angola
3. Mali 18. Guinea
4. Burkina Faso 19. Nigeria
5. Guinea-Bissau 20. Rwanda
6. Central African Republic 21. Eritrea
7. Chad 22. Senegal
8. Ethiopia 23. Gambia
9. Burundi 24. Haiti
10. Mozambique 25. Mauritania
11. Congo, Dem. Rep. of the 26. Kenya
12. Malawi 27. Zimbabwe
13. Zambia 28. Yemen
14. Côte d'Ivoire 29. Lesotho
15. Benin 30. Djibouti
Source: Human Development Report, 2006, United Nations. Web: hdr.undp.org.

Sources +