Norway is the world’s best country to live in, according to the latest Human Development Index figures.
Norway takes top spot for the twelfth year in a row, while Iceland has slipped to 16th position this year after peaking at second place in 2005.
The Human Development Index is compiled by the United Nations Development Programme and is an internationally respected indicator of quality of life around the world, mbl.is reports.
The Index weights per capita GDP equally against life expectancy at birth and education levels.
Norway tops the rankings, and all countries near the top of the list also happen to be countries which perform well on equality rankings.
Jens Wandel, who managed the creation of the Index, told Norwegian media that the country’s steady economic growth and its gender equality are the main reasons for its good performance.
Australia is second on the list, Switzerland third, Denmark fourth and the Netherlands fifth. Sweden came out very close to Iceland, in 14th. Meanwhile Finland, in 24th place, was the only Nordic country below Iceland.
All the Nordic countries performed well compared to the global average.
