Created by economist Mahbub ul Haq and Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, the Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistical indicator combining statistics of education, life expectancy and per capita income per country. HDI has four categories; very high development index, high development index, middle development index and low development index. Released by the United Nations, out of 188 countries that make up the list, Norway has topped the list for the 12th time in a row, followed by Australia, Switzerland, Denmark and the Netherlands. With one of the most robust tourism industries in Europe, Norway is supported by an exemplary record in safety and health, Norway is also named as the most prosperous nation seventh year straight.
Norway also boasts of an average life expectancy of 81.6 years and high income average of USD$64,922. Other than good governance, Norway can brag about their positions as they continue stay at the top of their game thanks to a natural fuel driven economy, a robust healthcare system and an evergreen tourism industry.
How did the rest fare?
Australia topped the education list with expected years in school at 20.2 years. Japan slipped down from 20 to 19, while war torn Syria fell 15 places while Libya slipped 27 rungs down the list.
India is still lodged at a low 130 in the middle development index, but up five places since last year. The lowest of the lot are five countries from the African continent, namely Niger, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Chad and Burundi.
The list as it is:
- Norway
- Australia
- Switzerland
- Denmark
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Ireland
- United States
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- Honk Kong
- Liechtenstein
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
- Iceland
- South Korea
- Israel
- Luxemburg &
- Japan
As expected, the western European countries have taken most of top 20 spots. No South American or African country has featured in the top 20. North America features two of three countries while Asia features a select few; Honk Kong, Japan and Singapore.
So, are you looking to travel to Norway?
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Human development index rankings: norway is best country to Live in
Posted on December 17, 2015