Best countries to live in............

[DrinkingHarp]

Norway is best place to live, China moves up: UN


     PARIS (AFP) – Norway takes the number one spot in the annual United Nations human development index released Monday but China has made the biggest strides in improving the well-being of its citizens.

The index compiled by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) ranks 182 countries based on such criteria as life expectancy, literacy, school enrolment and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita.

Norway, Australia and Iceland took the first three spots while Niger ranks at the very bottom, just below Afghanistan.

China moved up seven places on the list to rank as the 92nd most developed country due to improvements in education as well as income levels and life expectancy.

Colombia and Peru rose five spaces to rank 77th and 78th while France -- which was not part of the top 10 last year -- returns to the upper echelons by moving up three places to number 8.

The UNDP said the index highlights the grave disparities between rich and poor countries.

A child born in Niger can expect to live to just over 50, which is 30 years less than a child born in Norway. For every dollar a person earns in Niger, 85 dollars are earned in Norway.

This year's index was based on data from 2007 and does not take into account the impact of the global economic crisis.

"Many countries have experienced setbacks over recent decades, in the face of economic downturns, conflict-related crises and the HIV and AIDS epidemic," said the UN development report's author Jeni Klugman.

"And this was even before the impact of the current global financial crisis was felt."

Afghanistan, which returns to the list for the first time since 1996, is the only Asian country among the bottom ten which also include Sierra Leone in the 180th spot, just below the Central African Republic.

The top ten countries listed on the index are: Norway, Australia, Iceland, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, Switzerland and Japan.

The United States ranks 13th, down one spot from last year.

[Tony Baloney]

Africa is the spot. Niger must be some place if it's worse than Afghanistan!

[AZOffaly]

Ireland 5th!

[Puckoon]

Ireland 5th!

I can tell you're shocked, just not in which direction you're shocked.

[mc_grens]

High cost of living, non existent public transport, poor public sector/ government accountability, without even mentioning the fact that we're flat broke. How the he'll are we 5th???

[Celt_Man]

Ireland 5th!

Uh oh... I sense another levy coming around the corner - that's bound to be enough justification for one

[Hound]

Ireland 5th!

I dare say ourselves and Iceland have fallen out of the Top 10 now!

Though with the price of a pint in Norway, there wouldnt be too many of us queueing up to go there either!

[Tony Baloney]

High cost of living, non existent public transport, poor public sector/ government accountability, without even mentioning the fact that we're flat broke. How the he'll are we 5th???

Chill out. This will be adjusted in a couple of years to reflect the true position around #50.

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Ireland 5th!

Figures used are 2007 stats.

[High Wide and Handsome]

Ireland 5th!

Figures used are 2007 stats.

does that mean in 2011 when they use 2009 stats we will be 147th?

[armaghniac]

does that mean in 2011 when they use 2009 stats we will be 147th?

No. Ireland is still one of the most prosperous countries in the World either way, although it may drop a few places. Things of importance such as s life expectancy, literacy, school enrolment have not be affected at all.

[WeAreBlueWeAreWhite]

Anywhere in the 26 counties is good for me. Well apart from Dublin and Roscommon and maybe Sligo and Carlow.

[Canalman]

Always found the Netherlands as a place that would be nice to live in. Adelaide in Oz a very nice place also.

[muppet]

Norway didn't give their gas away for free.

They use income from selling their gas to fund their healthcare system which, some of you may be surprised to hear, is slightly more efficient than ours. Apparently in Norway you can see a consultant before the life expectancy of your fatal condition expires. Imagine that?

[SLIGONIAN]

Anywhere in the 26 counties is good for me. Well apart from Dublin and Roscommon and maybe Sligo and Carlow.

Please make that a definite non mover.

Middle east would suit you too.