Misery Index
Despite vast economic growth and technological developments, certain countries underperform in critical areas affecting the wellbeing of their citizens. The Misery Index, an economic indicator created by economist Arthur Okun, combines unemployment rates with inflation to indicate economic stability and thus, the desirability to live in a given country. Recent calculations of the Misery Index have revealed shocking statistics about some nations where life seems notably more challenging compared to others. These rankings underscore the vast disparities in economic stability and outlook globally and can act as a tool for understanding where the most significant improvements in areas like economic policy, governance, and social infrastructure are needed. Key findings from the data include:
Leading the pack is Venezuela, a South American nation grappling with high inflation and unemployment, scoring an extraordinary 3,828. Life in Venezuela is characterized by shortages of essential goods, rampant crime, and political unrest, making it a tough place to call home. Next is Zimbabwe, with a Misery Index score of 547. Zimbabwe has a long history of economic mismanagement leading to hyperinflation, unemployment, and a severely downgraded quality of life. Sudan takes the third spot with an index score of 194. People here face the hardships associated with political instability, economic downturns, and a lack of basic services. The Middle Eastern country of Lebanon ranks fourth, scoring a 177 on the Misery Index. Known for its rich history and culture, Lebanon is currently facing one of the worst economic crises in the world, leading to increased prices and unemployment. In fifth place, Suriname suffers economic hardship, with a score of 145. Economic mismanagement and corruption have led to high inflation and unemployment rates, affecting living conditions. Sixth in this listing is Libya, with a score of 106. Political instability and internal conflict, coupled with economic difficulties, have made Libya a challenging place to live. Argentina, seventh on the list, struggles with a score of 95. Despite its rich culture and resources, Argentina faces economic issues that adversely affect its citizens' living standards. Iran, featuring eighth on our list, faces economic inequities and sanctions resulting in a high index score of 92. Ranked ninth, Angola with a Misery Index score of 61, faces challenges like high inflation, unemployment, and poverty, which make it difficult for many to sustain a satisfactory standard of living. Lastly, rounding off this list is Madagascar, with a score of 60. Despite its natural beauty, the African island nation struggles mainly with employment opportunities impacting the quality of life.
The ten countries with the highest Misery Index are:
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
24
#75
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
33
#47
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
61
#9
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
95
#7
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
37
#33
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
16
#109
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
15
#121
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
28
#62
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
13
#136
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
14
#124
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
22
#83
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
15
#119
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
28
#64
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
30
#54
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
24
#74
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
40
#25
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
53
#11
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
16
#114
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
16
#110
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
29
#59
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
16
#108
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
18
#97
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
30
#57
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
13
#132
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
12
#138
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
24
#73
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
8
#148
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
35
#40
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
26
#69
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
32
#50
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
18
#102
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
16
#111
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
16
#117
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
16
#112
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
12
#140
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
34
#45
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
23
#78
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
21
#87
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
26
#68
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
27
#65
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
17
#107
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
43
#16
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
36
#35
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
23
#80
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
13
#133
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
18
#95
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
41
#23
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
30
#55
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
35
#41
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
11
#141
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
31
#52
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
29
#58
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
37
#31
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
49
#13
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
36
#37
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
18
#100
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
15
#120
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
24
#76
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
36
#34
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
21
#86
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
92
#8
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
40
#24
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
13
#135
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
14
#126
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
22
#82
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
11
#142
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
39
#27
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
8
#149
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
38
#30
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
30
#53
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
21
#88
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
20
#92
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
47
#14
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
16
#113
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
17
#106
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
177
#4
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
42
#19
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
39
#26
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
106
#6
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
15
#123
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
14
#127
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
60
#10
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
38
#29
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
15
#118
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
18
#98
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
18
#103
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
23
#79
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
30
#56
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
25
#70
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
16
#116
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
35
#42
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
36
#39
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
23
#77
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
26
#67
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
26
#66
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
41
#22
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
20
#90
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
13
#130
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
22
#84
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
25
#71
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
11
#143
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
46
#15
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
28
#63
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
13
#134
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
22
#85
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
33
#46
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
36
#38
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
20
#91
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
32
#49
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
42
#17
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
28
#60
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
14
#125
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
18
#99
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
5
#151
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
19
#94
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
20
#89
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
11
#144
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
39
#28
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
33
#48
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
18
#101
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
15
#122
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
16
#115
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
17
#105
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
49
#12
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
8
#150
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
41
#21
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
28
#61
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
24
#72
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
194
#3
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
145
#5
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
13
#131
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
9
#147
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
12
#137
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
13
#129
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
10
#146
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
11
#145
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
32
#51
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
36
#36
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
41
#20
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
18
#96
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
34
#43
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
12
#139
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
22
#81
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
17
#104
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
37
#32
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
34
#44
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
20
#93
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
3,828
#1
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
13
#128
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
42
#18
Metric
Value
Rank
Misery Index
547
#2
Hanke's Misery Index - CATO Institute