June 28, 2024 | Eul Basa

These Countries Ranked Highest For Quality Of Life


What makes a good country?

A country with a high quality of life provides its residents with happiness and comfort in all of the important areas of living. This includes healthcare, education, a strong economy, job opportunities, financial stability, low crime, a clean environment, and efficient public services. Here are some of 2024's best countries to live in based on quality of life.

Qualityoflife Cover

1. Monaco

Monaco ranks first in quality of life due to its excellent scores in safety, stability, and healthcare. Its high GDP provides citizens with luxury living, and its low crime rate also contributes to its top ranking.

MonacoPierre Blaché, Wikimedia Commons

2. Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein provides its residents with a high quality of life, including top-notch public services, infrastructure, education, and healthcare. The nation boasts one of the longest life spans globally, standing at 82.7 years.

LiechtensteinHenk Bekker, Flickr

3. Luxembourg

Luxembourg ranks in the top 3 countries in terms of offering the best quality of life. This is not just because of its natural surroundings and charming small-town atmosphere, but also because of the country's safety, political stability, and economic stability.

Luxembourg City CenterJpatokal, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

4. Ireland

Ireland's fourth-place ranking is due to its high education, healthcare, and safety standards. It has a strong economy, low unemployment, and quality of life. Cultural heritage and a lively social scene also contribute.

Dublin, IrelandAlex_Mastro, Shutterstock

5. Switzerland

Switzerland is recognized for its political neutrality, economic stability, and luxury craftsmanship. This has led to the country's prosperity and safety for residents.

Switzerlandkuhnmi, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

6. Norway

Norway's strong economy leads to a high quality of life with a top-ranking GDP per capita. This provides Norwegians with good incomes, supporting their high quality of life.

NorwayTatyana Vyc, Shutterstock

7. Singapore

Singapore is a safe, corruption-free country with a liberal economy. Its government investments in health, education, and infrastructure make it ideal for living and business.

Singaporejjcb, Flickr

8. Qatar

Qatar's oil wealth enables luxurious living for its residents with free healthcare and education. Doha, in particular, also hosts American universities, making it a hotspot for international students and a top research hub.

QatarFLASHPACKER TRAVELGUIDE, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

9. United States

The US is the 3rd most populous nation globally, known for its diverse culture and opportunities. It had a GDP per capita of $78,420 in 2023. Despite the American Dream having faded over the years, Americans are generally satisfied with life, according to surveys.

USARoschetzky Photography, Shutterstock

10. Iceland

Iceland is famous for its top safety standards, outstanding healthcare system, and robust social unity. The quality of life in the country is improved by its low crime rates, excellent education levels, and stunning natural surroundings.

IcelandThalion77, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons

11. Denmark

Denmark is known for its work-life balance, democracy, and high standards for education and healthcare. These factors guarantee the effective functioning of a welfare state.

DenmarkJim G, Flickr

12. Australia

Australia has a high standard of living, with cities like Sydney and Melbourne ranking well for livability. The culture is British-based, but people are generally welcoming of all races and backgrounds.

AustraliaScott McManus, Shutterstock

13. Netherlands

The Netherlands prides itself on having a friendly and inclusive society that has a history of embracing different cultures. Its high ranking as one of the happiest countries in the world, along with its high standard of living, is consistently demonstrated.

netherlandsNeirfy, Shutterstock

14. San Marino

San Marino enjoys a high standard of living. When considering GDP, it is one of the wealthiest nations globally. There is no national debt—instead, they have a surplus of funding. Additionally, the mean life expectancy is 87 years.

San Marinotrabantos, Shutterstock

15. Austria

Austria's high quality of life is attributed to factors like a strong economy, robust social support, excellent education, and low crime. In 2023, it ranked 11th in the UN World Happiness Report for overall life satisfaction.

Austria- peperoni -, Flickr

16. Greenland

Greenland generally enjoys high living standards, but some villages may appear low by to Westerners due to the remoteness of the region. Currently, the majority of the country is not inhabited.

GreenlandJonas Tufvesson, Shutterstock

17. Cuba

Cuba's varying standard of living includes free healthcare and education, but shortages and few job options due to economic challenges lead many to seek better opportunities elsewhere. In spite of economic difficulties, Cuba's dedication to social equality and public amenities improves its standard of living.

Ministry of the Interior building, featuring iron mural of Che Guevara's faceRegien Paassen, Shutterstock

18. Sweden

Sweden ranks highly in the areas of sustainable development, level of freedom, and happiness levels, but falls a little short in terms of cost of living. The country offers relatively high salaries for its small population.

Swedentrabantos, Shutterstock

19. Finland

From Helsinki to Lapland, Finland offers expats a high quality of life, work-life balance, and strong community bonds. Careful planning is key for a successful transition.

Finlandtrabantos, Shutterstock

20. Macau (China)

Living in Macau offers a vibrant culture, great food, and convenient transportation. It is known for its quality of life, safety, attractions, and activities. However, living costs can be high, language barriers exist, and summers are hot and humid.

MacauBrenden Brain, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

21. Belgium

Belgium is classified as a high-income nation, with its residents enjoying a high quality of life and access to excellent healthcare services. It's also known for providing education of relatively high quality.

BelgiumDr Les Sachs, Flickr

22. Canada

Many Canadians have struggled financially due to inflation and high interest rates in recent years, impacting household budgets and personal expenses. A report by the Fraser Institute shows a gradual decrease in quality of life, with a 3% decline in inflation-adjusted GDP per capita from 2019 to 2023.

CanadaGary A Corcoran Arts, Shutterstock

23. Israel

Israel ranks 19th on the UN Human Development Index, classified as a high-income nation with high life expectancy. It ranks 4th in global happiness and 2nd in the youth index.

IsraelSean Pavone, Shutterstock

24. Germany

Germany is known for its cleanliness, organization, and punctuality, with well-maintained infrastructure. Urban areas are pedestrian-friendly with efficient public transportation and a highly educated population. Dogs are welcomed in many establishments, although customer service may not be as strong as in the U.S. 

Berlin, GermanyMistervlad, Shutterstock

25. Hong Kong (China)

Hong Kong is among the most densely populated areas globally. It ranks high in economic prosperity but only low in quality of life in various global city rankings because of expensive housing and substandard living conditions.

Hong KongJim Trodel, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

26. United Arab Emirates

The UAE ranks highly for its strong economy, high income levels, and exceptional public services. It also boasts a high GDP per capita, low unemployment rates, and robust healthcare system, all which contribute to a high quality of life.

United Arab EmiratesPaolo Margari, Flickr

27. United Kingdom

British living standards are predicted to rise in the next few years, but it will be 2027 before lower-income households recover pre-pandemic spending power. Still the UK does very well in the rankings for quality of life, and its residents tend to be happy for the most part.

United KingdomMarcel Musil, Flickr

28. New Zealand

Living in New Zealand brings stunning scenery, high quality of life, strong community spirit, top healthcare and education, low crime rates, and work-life balance. Despite the robust economy and pristine environment, drawbacks include expensive living costs, particularly in cities like Auckland and Wellington.

New ZealandTrey Ratcliff, Flickr

29. France

France provides an outstanding quality of life with strong infrastructure, excellent education, and one of the best healthcare systems globally. Many are drawn to the French lifestyle, not just the high incomes.

FranceTaxiarchos228, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

30. Andorra

Andorra excels in low crime, health risk, and road safety rates. The Lancet magazine, a British publication, also praises it for having the best healthcare system.

AndorraAlexey Fedorenko, Shutterstock

Sources:  1


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