Best country in the world to live? Still Norway, according to the U.N. | CNN (2024)

9. New Zealand —

The United Nations has just released its 2015 Human Development Index (HDI), which measures countries in three basic areas -- life expectancy, education and income/standard of living. New Zealand tied with Canada as the 9th best place to live, with an overall score of 0.913. Average life expectancy at birth is 81.8 years, while the GNI per capita is $32,689.

9. Canada —

Tying with New Zealand, Canada also has a final score of 0.913. Its life expectancy at birth average is 82 years, while its gross national income (GNI) per capita is $42,155.

8. United States —

The UN's HDI covers 188 countries and territories. The U.S. came in at 8th with an overall score of 0.915. Its life expectancy at birth average is 79.1 years, while the GNI per capita is $52,947.

6. Ireland —

There's a tie for sixth spot as well. Ireland's final score on the index is 0.916. Average life expectancy at birth is 80.9 years, while the GNI is $43,919 per capita.

6. Germany —

Also in sixth place with a score of 0.916 -- Germany. Life expectancy at birth: 80.9 years. Its GNI per capita is $43,919.

5. Netherlands —

The HDI was launched in 1990. According to the UN, it was created to emphasize that expanding human choices should be the ultimate criteria for assessing development results -- not just economic growth. Netherlands, with a score of 0.922, was found to be the world's 5th most liveable place.

4. Denmark —

Coming in at fourth, Denmark's HDI score is 0.923. Citizens born there have a life expectancy of 80.2 years.

3. Switzerland —

"The HDI can also be used to question national policy choices, asking how two countries with the same level of [Gross National Income] per capita can end up with different human development outcomes," said the report. Of the top 10, Switzerland has the highest life expectancy from birth -- an average of 83.0 years.

2. Australia —

Australia, with a final score of 0.935, is the world's second best place to live according to the UN. Its life expectancy at birth rate is 82.4 years. The country earned high marks for education, with the average citizen getting at least 13 years of schooling.

1. Norway —

For the 12th year in a row, Norway topped the UN's HDI. Though the country doesn't have the highest life expectancy at birth average (81.6 years), it does have the highest GNI per capita of all other countries in the top 10 -- $64,992.