Worst Countries To Live 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.

To sort the data in the table, click on the column headers.

Hanke's Misery Index - CATO Institute

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