Worst Countries To Live In

Misery Index

Misery Index
1.VenezuelaVenezuela3,828
2.ZimbabweZimbabwe547
3.SudanSudan194
4.LebanonLebanon177
5.SurinameSuriname145
6.LibyaLibya106
7.ArgentinaArgentina95
8.IranIran92
9.AngolaAngola61
10.MadagascarMadagascar60
11.BrazilBrazil53
12.South AfricaSouth Africa49
13.HaitiHaiti49
14.KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan47
15.NigeriaNigeria46
16.EswatiniEswatini43
17.PeruPeru42
18.ZambiaZambia42
19.LesothoLesotho42
20.TurkeyTurkey41
21.South SudanSouth Sudan41
22.NamibiaNamibia41
23.GabonGabon41
24.IraqIraq40
25.BotswanaBotswana40
26.LiberiaLiberia39
27.JamaicaJamaica39
28.Sao Tome and PrincipeSao Tome and Principe39
29.MalawiMalawi38
30.JordanJordan38
31.GuineaGuinea37
32.UruguayUruguay37
33.ArmeniaArmenia37
34.IndiaIndia36
35.EthiopiaEthiopia36
36.TunisiaTunisia
37.HondurasHonduras36
38.PanamaPanama36
39.MontenegroMontenegro36
40.ColombiaColombia35
41.GeorgiaGeorgia35
42.MongoliaMongolia35
43.UkraineUkraine34
44.UzbekistanUzbekistan34
45.Dominican RepublicDominican Republic34
46.PakistanPakistan33
47.AlgeriaAlgeria33
48.Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia33
49.ParaguayParaguay32
50.Costa RicaCosta Rica32
51.Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago32
52.GreeceGreece31
53.KazakhstanKazakhstan30
54.BoliviaBolivia30
55.GambiaGambia30
56.MauritiusMauritius30
57.Cape VerdeCape Verde30
58.GuatemalaGuatemala29
59.BurundiBurundi29
60.PhilippinesPhilippines28
61.SpainSpain28
62.AzerbaijanAzerbaijan28
63.North MacedoniaNorth Macedonia28
64.BelizeBelize28
65.Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea27
66.MyanmarMyanmar26
67.MozambiqueMozambique26
68.El SalvadorEl Salvador26
69.ComorosComoros26
70.MexicoMexico25
71.NicaraguaNicaragua25
72.Sri LankaSri Lanka24
73.ChileChile24
74.Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina24
75.AlbaniaAlbania24
76.IcelandIceland24
77.MoroccoMorocco23
78.EcuadorEcuador23
79.MauritaniaMauritania23
80.FijiFiji23
81.United KingdomUnited Kingdom22
82.ItalyItaly22
83.BelarusBelarus22
84.New ZealandNew Zealand22
85.OmanOman22
86.IndonesiaIndonesia21
87.EgyptEgypt21
88.KenyaKenya21
89.RussiaRussia20
90.NepalNepal20
91.Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea20
92.KuwaitKuwait20
93.VanuatuVanuatu20
94.RomaniaRomania19
95.FranceFrance18
96.UgandaUganda18
97.CanadaCanada18
98.MaliMali18
99.PortugalPortugal18
100.Hong KongHong Kong18
101.SerbiaSerbia18
102.CroatiaCroatia18
103.MaltaMalta18
104.United StatesUnited States17
105.SloveniaSlovenia17
106.LatviaLatvia17
107.EstoniaEstonia17
108.CameroonCameroon16
109.AustraliaAustralia16
110.Burkina FasoBurkina Faso16
111.CubaCuba16
112.Czech RepublicCzech Republic16
113.LaosLaos16
114.BulgariaBulgaria16
115.SlovakiaSlovakia16
116.MoldovaMoldova16
117.CyprusCyprus16
118.MalaysiaMalaysia15
119.BelgiumBelgium15
120.HungaryHungary15
121.AustriaAustria15
122.SingaporeSingapore15
123.LithuaniaLithuania15
124.BangladeshBangladesh14
125.PolandPoland14
126.IsraelIsrael14
127.LuxembourgLuxembourg14
128.VietnamVietnam13
129.ThailandThailand13
130.NetherlandsNetherlands13
131.SwedenSweden13
132.Central African RepublicCentral African Republic13
133.FinlandFinland13
134.NorwayNorway13
135.IrelandIreland13
136.BahrainBahrain13
137.TanzaniaTanzania12
138.ChadChad12
139.United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates12
140.DenmarkDenmark12
141.GermanyGermany11
142.Ivory CoastIvory Coast11
143.NigerNiger11
144.RwandaRwanda11
145.TongaTonga11
146.TogoTogo10
147.SwitzerlandSwitzerland9
148.ChinaChina8
149.JapanJapan8
150.South KoreaSouth Korea8
151.QatarQatar5

An Overview of the Most Challenging Countries to Reside In

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:

  • According to the Misery Index 2022, Venezuela had the highest score of 3,828, making it the arguably most challenging country to live in, economically speaking. This South American nation has been grappling with significant economic problems, including extraordinary inflation rates and high levels of unemployment.
  • Zimbabwe and Sudan followed Venezuela, with Misery Index scores of 547 and 194, respectively. These countries face similar issues of hyperinflation, unemployment, and political instability that affect their citizens' daily lives.
  • The data also highlighted Lebanon, with a significant jump in the Index due to its recent economic crisis compounding with political instability.
  • At the lower end of the scale were economically stable countries like Switzerland (9), China (8), and Japan (8), which enjoy low unemployment rates and controlled inflation. This data paints a stark picture of global socio-economic disparities and underscores the work to be done in raising living standards for millions of persons around the world. It calls for concerted economic and political actions from nations, international organizations, and policy-makers. As these challenges are tackled, the Misery Index offers a critical benchmark against which to gauge progress.

10 Worst Countries to Live In

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:

  1. Venezuela - 3,828
  2. Zimbabwe - 547
  3. Sudan - 194
  4. Lebanon - 177
  5. Suriname - 145
  6. Libya - 106
  7. Argentina - 95
  8. Iran - 92
  9. Angola - 61
  10. Madagascar - 60

By Region

Albania

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Albania

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

24

#75

Algeria

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Algeria

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

33

#47

Angola

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Angola

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

61

#9

Argentina

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Argentina

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

95

#7

Armenia

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Armenia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

37

#33

Australia

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Australia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

16

#109

Austria

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Austria

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

15

#121

Azerbaijan

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Azerbaijan

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

28

#62

Bahrain

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Bahrain

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

13

#136

Bangladesh

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Bangladesh

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

14

#124

Belarus

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Belarus

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

22

#83

Belgium

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Belgium

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

15

#119

Belize

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Belize

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

28

#64

Bolivia

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Bolivia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

30

#54

Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Bosnia and Herzegovina

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

24

#74

Botswana

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Botswana

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

40

#25

Brazil

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Brazil

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

53

#11

Bulgaria

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Bulgaria

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

16

#114

Burkina Faso

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Burkina Faso

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

16

#110

Burundi

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Burundi

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

29

#59

Cameroon

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Cameroon

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

16

#108

Canada

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Canada

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

18

#97

Cape Verde

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Cape Verde

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

30

#57

Central African Republic

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Central African Republic

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

13

#132

Chad

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Chad

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

12

#138

Chile

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Chile

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

24

#73

China

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China

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

8

#148

Colombia

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Colombia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

35

#40

Comoros

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Comoros

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

26

#69

Costa Rica

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Costa Rica

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

32

#50

Croatia

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Croatia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

18

#102

Cuba

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Cuba

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

16

#111

Cyprus

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Cyprus

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

16

#117

Czech Republic

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Czech Republic

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

16

#112

Denmark

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Denmark

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

12

#140

Dominican Republic

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Dominican Republic

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

34

#45

Ecuador

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Ecuador

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

23

#78

Egypt

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Egypt

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

21

#87

El Salvador

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El Salvador

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

26

#68

Equatorial Guinea

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Equatorial Guinea

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

27

#65

Estonia

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Estonia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

17

#107

Eswatini

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Eswatini

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

43

#16

Ethiopia

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Ethiopia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

36

#35

Fiji

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Fiji

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

23

#80

Finland

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Finland

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

13

#133

France

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France

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

18

#95

Gabon

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Gabon

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

41

#23

Gambia

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Gambia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

30

#55

Georgia

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Georgia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

35

#41

Germany

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Germany

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

11

#141

Greece

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Greece

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

31

#52

Guatemala

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Guatemala

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

29

#58

Guinea

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Guinea

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

37

#31

Haiti

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Haiti

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

49

#13

Honduras

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Honduras

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

36

#37

Hong Kong

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Hong Kong

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

18

#100

Hungary

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Hungary

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

15

#120

Iceland

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Iceland

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

24

#76

India

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India

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

36

#34

Indonesia

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Indonesia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

21

#86

Iran

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Iran

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

92

#8

Iraq

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Iraq

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

40

#24

Ireland

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Ireland

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

13

#135

Israel

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Israel

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

14

#126

Italy

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Italy

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

22

#82

Ivory Coast

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Ivory Coast

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

11

#142

Jamaica

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Jamaica

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

39

#27

Japan

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Japan

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

8

#149

Jordan

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Jordan

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

38

#30

Kazakhstan

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Kazakhstan

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

30

#53

Kenya

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Kenya

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

21

#88

Kuwait

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Kuwait

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

20

#92

Kyrgyzstan

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Kyrgyzstan

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

47

#14

Laos

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Laos

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

16

#113

Latvia

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Latvia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

17

#106

Lebanon

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Lebanon

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

177

#4

Lesotho

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Lesotho

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

42

#19

Liberia

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Liberia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

39

#26

Libya

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Libya

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

106

#6

Lithuania

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Lithuania

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

15

#123

Luxembourg

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Luxembourg

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

14

#127

Madagascar

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Madagascar

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

60

#10

Malawi

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Malawi

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

38

#29

Malaysia

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Malaysia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

15

#118

Mali

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Mali

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

18

#98

Malta

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Malta

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

18

#103

Mauritania

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Mauritania

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

23

#79

Mauritius

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Mauritius

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

30

#56

Mexico

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Mexico

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

25

#70

Moldova

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Moldova

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

16

#116

Mongolia

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Mongolia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

35

#42

Montenegro

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Montenegro

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

36

#39

Morocco

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Morocco

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

23

#77

Mozambique

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Mozambique

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

26

#67

Myanmar

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Myanmar

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

26

#66

Namibia

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Namibia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

41

#22

Nepal

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Nepal

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

20

#90

Netherlands

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Netherlands

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

13

#130

New Zealand

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New Zealand

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

22

#84

Nicaragua

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Nicaragua

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

25

#71

Niger

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Niger

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

11

#143

Nigeria

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Nigeria

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

46

#15

North Macedonia

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North Macedonia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

28

#63

Norway

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Norway

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

13

#134

Oman

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Oman

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

22

#85

Pakistan

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Pakistan

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

33

#46

Panama

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Panama

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

36

#38

Papua New Guinea

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Papua New Guinea

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

20

#91

Paraguay

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Paraguay

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

32

#49

Peru

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Peru

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

42

#17

Philippines

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Philippines

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

28

#60

Poland

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Poland

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

14

#125

Portugal

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Portugal

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

18

#99

Qatar

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Qatar

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

5

#151

Romania

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Romania

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

19

#94

Russia

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Russia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

20

#89

Rwanda

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Rwanda

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

11

#144

Sao Tome and Principe

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Sao Tome and Principe

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

39

#28

Saudi Arabia

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Saudi Arabia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

33

#48

Serbia

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Serbia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

18

#101

Singapore

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Singapore

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

15

#122

Slovakia

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Slovakia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

16

#115

Slovenia

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Slovenia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

17

#105

South Africa

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South Africa

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

49

#12

South Korea

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South Korea

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

8

#150

South Sudan

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South Sudan

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

41

#21

Spain

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Spain

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

28

#61

Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

24

#72

Sudan

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Sudan

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

194

#3

Suriname

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Suriname

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

145

#5

Sweden

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Sweden

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

13

#131

Switzerland

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Switzerland

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

9

#147

Tanzania

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Tanzania

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

12

#137

Thailand

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Thailand

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

13

#129

Togo

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Togo

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

10

#146

Tonga

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Tonga

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

11

#145

Trinidad and Tobago

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Trinidad and Tobago

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

32

#51

Tunisia

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Tunisia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

36

#36

Turkey

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Turkey

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

41

#20

Uganda

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Uganda

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

18

#96

Ukraine

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Ukraine

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

34

#43

United Arab Emirates

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United Arab Emirates

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

12

#139

United Kingdom

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United Kingdom

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

22

#81

United States

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United States

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

17

#104

Uruguay

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Uruguay

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

37

#32

Uzbekistan

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Uzbekistan

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

34

#44

Vanuatu

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Vanuatu

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

20

#93

Venezuela

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Venezuela

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

3,828

#1

Vietnam

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Vietnam

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

13

#128

Zambia

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Zambia

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

42

#18

Zimbabwe

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Zimbabwe

Metric

Value

Rank

Misery Index

547

#2

Source

Hanke's Misery Index - CATO Institute