Standard Of Living By Country

Global
0.74HDIGlobal Average
GDP Per Capita PPPGlobal Average
Cost of Living IndexGlobal Average
Life ExpectancyGlobal Average
Human Development Index 2023Question Mark
Map visualization
0.3880.972
Compared to 2022
12
IcelandIceland
0.972+0.013 (+1.4%)
21
SwitzerlandSwitzerland
0.97+0.003 (+0.3%)
2
NorwayNorway
0.97+0.004 (+0.4%)
41
DenmarkDenmark
0.962+0.01 (+1.1%)
5
SwedenSweden
0.959+0.007 (+0.7%)
52
GermanyGermany
0.959+0.009 (+0.9%)
73
AustraliaAustralia
0.958+0.012 (+1.3%)
82
NetherlandsNetherlands
0.955+0.009 (+1.0%)
93
BelgiumBelgium
0.951+0.009 (+1.0%)
103
IrelandIreland
0.949-0.001 (-0.1%)
111
FinlandFinland
0.948+0.006 (+0.6%)
123
SingaporeSingapore
0.946-0.003 (-0.3%)
123
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
0.946+0.006 (+0.6%)
143
United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates
0.94+0.003 (+0.3%)
153
CanadaCanada
0.939+0.004 (+0.4%)
16
New ZealandNew Zealand
0.938-0.001 (-0.1%)
164
LiechtensteinLiechtenstein
0.938-0.004 (-0.4%)
164
United StatesUnited States
0.938+0.011 (+1.2%)
19
South KoreaSouth Korea
0.937+0.008 (+0.9%)
202
SloveniaSlovenia
0.931+0.005 (+0.5%)
211
AustriaAustria
0.93+0.004 (+0.4%)
222
JapanJapan
0.925+0.005 (+0.5%)
232
MaltaMalta
0.924+0.009 (+1.0%)
244
LuxembourgLuxembourg
0.922-0.005 (-0.5%)
253
FranceFrance
0.92+0.01 (+1.1%)
261
IsraelIsrael
0.919+0.004 (+0.4%)
27
SpainSpain
0.918+0.007 (+0.8%)
282
ItalyItaly
0.915+0.009 (+1.0%)
2815
San MarinoSan Marino
0.915+0.048 (+5.5%)
284
Czech RepublicCzech Republic
0.915+0.02 (+2.2%)
314
AndorraAndorra
0.913+0.029 (+3.3%)
312
CyprusCyprus
0.913+0.006 (+0.7%)
33
GreeceGreece
0.908+0.015 (+1.7%)
342
PolandPoland
0.906+0.025 (+2.8%)
354
EstoniaEstonia
0.905+0.006 (+0.7%)
364
Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia
0.9+0.025 (+2.9%)
373
BahrainBahrain
0.899+0.011 (+1.2%)
381
LithuaniaLithuania
0.895+0.016 (+1.8%)
393
PortugalPortugal
0.89+0.016 (+1.8%)
403
LatviaLatvia
0.889+0.01 (+1.1%)
401
CroatiaCroatia
0.889+0.011 (+1.3%)
422
QatarQatar
0.886+0.011 (+1.3%)
432
SlovakiaSlovakia
0.88+0.025 (+2.9%)
44
ChileChile
0.878+0.018 (+2.1%)
452
HungaryHungary
0.87+0.019 (+2.2%)
462
ArgentinaArgentina
0.865+0.016 (+1.9%)
473
MontenegroMontenegro
0.862+0.018 (+2.1%)
475
UruguayUruguay
0.862+0.032 (+3.9%)
4910
OmanOman
0.858+0.039 (+4.8%)
505
TurkeyTurkey
0.853-0.002 (-0.2%)
512
KuwaitKuwait
0.852+0.005 (+0.6%)
522
Antigua and BarbudaAntigua and Barbuda
0.851+0.025 (+3.0%)
5314
SeychellesSeychelles
0.848+0.046 (+5.7%)
541
RomaniaRomania
0.845+0.018 (+2.2%)
5416
BulgariaBulgaria
0.845+0.046 (+5.8%)
564
GeorgiaGeorgia
0.844+0.03 (+3.7%)
576
Saint Kitts and NevisSaint Kitts and Nevis
0.84+0.002 (+0.2%)
581
PanamaPanama
0.839+0.019 (+2.3%)
594
BruneiBrunei
0.837+0.014 (+1.7%)
598
KazakhstanKazakhstan
0.837+0.035 (+4.4%)
613
Costa RicaCosta Rica
0.833+0.027 (+3.3%)
614
SerbiaSerbia
0.833+0.028 (+3.5%)
637
RussiaRussia
0.832+0.011 (+1.3%)
645
BelarusBelarus
0.824+0.023 (+2.9%)
658
BahamasBahamas
0.82
663
MalaysiaMalaysia
0.819+0.012 (+1.5%)
6716
North MacedoniaNorth Macedonia
0.815+0.05 (+6.5%)
688
ArmeniaArmenia
0.811+0.025 (+3.2%)
686
BarbadosBarbados
0.811+0.002 (+0.2%)
704
AlbaniaAlbania
0.81+0.021 (+2.7%)
7111
Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago
0.807-0.007 (-0.9%)
72
MauritiusMauritius
0.806+0.01 (+1.3%)
737
Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina
0.804+0.025 (+3.2%)
744
IranIran
0.799+0.019 (+2.4%)
759
ThailandThailand
0.798-0.005 (-0.6%)
756
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesSaint Vincent and the Grenadines
0.798+0.026 (+3.4%)
772
ChinaChina
0.797+0.009 (+1.1%)
789
PeruPeru
0.794+0.032 (+4.2%)
796
GrenadaGrenada
0.791-0.002 (-0.3%)
803
MexicoMexico
0.789+0.008 (+1.0%)
809
AzerbaijanAzerbaijan
0.789+0.029 (+3.8%)
829
ColombiaColombia
0.788+0.03 (+4.0%)
836
BrazilBrazil
0.786+0.026 (+3.4%)
8312
PalauPalau
0.786-0.011 (-1.4%)
851
MoldovaMoldova
0.785+0.022 (+2.9%)
8614
UkraineUkraine
0.779+0.045 (+6.1%)
874
EcuadorEcuador
0.777+0.012 (+1.6%)
887
GuyanaGuyana
0.776+0.034 (+4.6%)
886
Dominican RepublicDominican Republic
0.776+0.01 (+1.3%)
8810
Sri LankaSri Lanka
0.776-0.004 (-0.5%)
917
TongaTonga
0.769+0.03 (+4.1%)
925
MaldivesMaldives
0.766+0.004 (+0.5%)
9215
VietnamVietnam
0.766+0.04 (+5.5%)
94
TurkmenistanTurkmenistan
0.764+0.02 (+2.7%)
952
AlgeriaAlgeria
0.763+0.018 (+2.4%)
9611
CubaCuba
0.762-0.002 (-0.3%)
97
DominicaDominica
0.761+0.021 (+2.8%)
984
ParaguayParaguay
0.756+0.025 (+3.4%)
996
EgyptEgypt
0.754+0.026 (+3.6%)
99
JordanJordan
0.754+0.018 (+2.4%)
1018
LebanonLebanon
0.752+0.029 (+4.0%)
1026
Saint LuciaSaint Lucia
0.748+0.023 (+3.2%)
1037
MongoliaMongolia
0.747+0.006 (+0.8%)
1043
TunisiaTunisia
0.746+0.014 (+1.9%)
1055
South AfricaSouth Africa
0.741+0.024 (+3.3%)
106
UzbekistanUzbekistan
0.74+0.013 (+1.8%)
1075
Marshall IslandsMarshall Islands
0.733+0.002 (+0.3%)
10716
GabonGabon
0.733+0.04 (+5.8%)
10713
BoliviaBolivia
0.733+0.035 (+5.0%)
1106
FijiFiji
0.731+0.002 (+0.3%)
1104
BotswanaBotswana
0.731+0.023 (+3.2%)
112
IndonesiaIndonesia
0.728+0.015 (+2.1%)
11311
SurinameSuriname
0.722+0.032 (+4.6%)
11422
LibyaLibya
0.721-0.025 (-3.4%)
1144
BelizeBelize
0.721+0.021 (+3.0%)
1161
JamaicaJamaica
0.72+0.014 (+2.0%)
1161
KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan
0.72+0.019 (+2.7%)
1163
PhilippinesPhilippines
0.72+0.01 (+1.4%)
1191
MoroccoMorocco
0.71+0.012 (+1.7%)
1201
VenezuelaVenezuela
0.709+0.01 (+1.4%)
1215
SamoaSamoa
0.708+0.006 (+0.9%)
1228
NicaraguaNicaragua
0.706+0.037 (+5.5%)
1231
NauruNauru
0.703+0.007 (+1.0%)
1241
BhutanBhutan
0.698+0.017 (+2.5%)
1253
IraqIraq
0.695+0.022 (+3.3%)
12517
EswatiniEswatini
0.695+0.085 (+14%)
1271
TajikistanTajikistan
0.691+0.012 (+1.8%)
1284
TuvaluTuvalu
0.689+0.036 (+5.5%)
129
BangladeshBangladesh
0.685+0.015 (+2.2%)
1295
IndiaIndia
0.685+0.041 (+6.4%)
1314
El SalvadorEl Salvador
0.678+0.004 (+0.6%)
13221
PalestinePalestine
0.674-0.042 (-5.9%)
1321
Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea
0.674+0.024 (+3.7%)
1343
Cape VerdeCape Verde
0.668+0.007 (+1.1%)
1357
NamibiaNamibia
0.665+0.055 (+9.0%)
136
GuatemalaGuatemala
0.662+0.033 (+5.2%)
13712
Republic of the CongoRepublic of the Congo
0.649+0.056 (+9.4%)
138
HondurasHonduras
0.645+0.021 (+3.4%)
1392
KiribatiKiribati
0.644+0.016 (+2.5%)
1401
Sao Tome and PrincipeSao Tome and Principe
0.637+0.024 (+3.9%)
14114
Timor LesteTimor Leste
0.634+0.068 (+12%)
1424
KenyaKenya
0.628+0.027 (+4.5%)
1423
GhanaGhana
0.628+0.026 (+4.3%)
1442
NepalNepal
0.622+0.021 (+3.5%)
1455
VanuatuVanuatu
0.621+0.007 (+1.1%)
1467
LaosLaos
0.617-0.003 (-0.5%)
1473
AngolaAngola
0.616+0.025 (+4.2%)
14813
MicronesiaMicronesia
0.615-0.019 (-3.0%)
1495
MyanmarMyanmar
0.609+0.001 (+0.2%)
1502
CambodiaCambodia
0.606+0.006 (+1.0%)
1511
ComorosComoros
0.603+0.017 (+2.9%)
1527
ZimbabweZimbabwe
0.598+0.048 (+8.7%)
153
ZambiaZambia
0.595+0.026 (+4.6%)
1543
CameroonCameroon
0.588+0.001 (+0.2%)
1551
Solomon IslandsSolomon Islands
0.584+0.022 (+3.9%)
1563
UgandaUganda
0.582+0.032 (+5.8%)
15610
Ivory CoastIvory Coast
0.582+0.048 (+9.0%)
1583
RwandaRwanda
0.578+0.03 (+5.5%)
1595
Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea
0.576+0.008 (+1.4%)
1603
TogoTogo
0.571+0.024 (+4.4%)
1614
SyriaSyria
0.564+0.007 (+1.3%)
1622
MauritaniaMauritania
0.563+0.023 (+4.3%)
1632
NigeriaNigeria
0.56+0.012 (+2.2%)
1643
TanzaniaTanzania
0.555+0.023 (+4.3%)
1657
HaitiHaiti
0.554+0.002 (+0.4%)
1662
LesothoLesotho
0.55+0.029 (+5.6%)
1673
PakistanPakistan
0.544+0.004 (+0.7%)
1681
SenegalSenegal
0.53+0.013 (+2.5%)
1695
GambiaGambia
0.524+0.029 (+5.9%)
17010
DR CongoDR Congo
0.522+0.041 (+8.5%)
1711
MalawiMalawi
0.517+0.009 (+1.8%)
1721
BeninBenin
0.515+0.011 (+2.2%)
1736
Guinea BissauGuinea Bissau
0.514+0.031 (+6.4%)
1743
DjiboutiDjibouti
0.513-0.002 (-0.4%)
1755
SudanSudan
0.511-0.005 (-1.0%)
1761
LiberiaLiberia
0.51+0.023 (+4.7%)
1772
EritreaEritrea
0.503+0.01 (+2.0%)
1783
GuineaGuinea
0.5+0.029 (+6.2%)
1793
EthiopiaEthiopia
0.497+0.005 (+1.0%)
1802
AfghanistanAfghanistan
0.496+0.034 (+7.4%)
1812
MozambiqueMozambique
0.493+0.032 (+6.9%)
1825
MadagascarMadagascar
0.487
1833
YemenYemen
0.47+0.046 (+11%)
184
Sierra LeoneSierra Leone
0.467+0.009 (+2.0%)
185
Burkina FasoBurkina Faso
0.459+0.021 (+4.8%)
1861
BurundiBurundi
0.439+0.019 (+4.5%)
1871
MaliMali
0.419+0.009 (+2.2%)
1872
NigerNiger
0.419+0.025 (+6.3%)
189
ChadChad
0.416+0.022 (+5.6%)
1901
Central African RepublicCentral African Republic
0.414+0.027 (+7.0%)
1912
SomaliaSomalia
0.404+0.024 (+6.3%)
192
South SudanSouth Sudan
0.388+0.007 (+1.8%)
Standard Of Living By Country
Share

Last updated March 7, 2026

Living Standards Globally

The emerging story of the global standard of living index is a mirror that reflects the ever-evolving socio-economic trends, uncovering the varying degrees of human development witnessed across the world. A comprehensive tool we often refer to in this conversation is the Human Development Index (HDI), a statistical measure developed by the United Nations that assesses the social and economic development levels of countries. The United States, a major player on this global platform, boasts a commendable HDI figure of 0.921, ranking it among the top countries globally. However, even as the U.S. claims its place in the higher echelons, a detailed cross-country examination reveals some fascinating insights. Key findings from the data include:

  • The nations leading the international scale in terms of high HDI figures include Switzerland (0.962), Norway (0.961), and Iceland (0.959), underscoring their highly developed healthcare, income levels, and educational standards.
  • High-tier countries with comparable HDI to the US - nestled in the 0.9 and above region - are UK (0.929), Japan (0.925), and South Korea (0.925). These nations have shown robust growth and development, translating to high living standards for their citizens.
  • At the other end of the spectrum, countries like South Sudan (0.385), Chad (0.394), and Niger (0.400) fall towards the bottom of the index, indicating serious developmental challenges that their populace grapple with every day.
  • It's also noteworthy that developing nations like India (0.633) and China (0.768) have shown promising progress over years, signaling enhanced living standards for their massive population.
  • Countries like Iceland and New Zealand, despite their smaller size and population, have managed to consistently secure high positions, lending valuable insights into how, irrespective of size and populous, nations can level up their standard of living through strategic policy-making and developmental projects.

All Metrics

Region ↕HDI 2023↕GDP Per Capita PPP 2023↕Cost of Living Index 2026↕Life Expectancy 2024↕
Iceland
Switzerland
Norway
Denmark
Sweden
Germany
Australia
Netherlands
Belgium
Ireland
Finland
Singapore
United Kingdom
United Arab Emirates
Canada
New Zealand
Liechtenstein
United States
South Korea
Slovenia
Austria
Japan
Malta
Luxembourg
France
Israel
Spain
Italy
San Marino
Czech Republic
Andorra
Cyprus
Greece
Poland
Estonia
Saudi Arabia
Bahrain
Lithuania
Portugal
Latvia
Croatia
Qatar
Slovakia
Chile
Hungary
Argentina
Montenegro
Uruguay
Oman
Turkey
Kuwait
Antigua and Barbuda
Seychelles
Romania
Bulgaria
Georgia
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Panama
Brunei
Kazakhstan
Costa Rica
Serbia
Russia
Belarus
Bahamas
Malaysia
North Macedonia
Armenia
Barbados
Albania
Trinidad and Tobago
Mauritius
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Iran
Thailand
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
China
Peru
Grenada
Mexico
Azerbaijan
Colombia
Brazil
Palau
Moldova
Ukraine
Ecuador
Guyana
Dominican Republic
Sri Lanka
Tonga
Maldives
Vietnam
Turkmenistan
Algeria
Cuba
Dominica
Paraguay
Egypt
Jordan
Lebanon
Saint Lucia
Mongolia
Tunisia
South Africa
Uzbekistan
Marshall Islands
Gabon
Bolivia
Fiji
Botswana
Indonesia
Suriname
Libya
Belize
Jamaica
Kyrgyzstan
Philippines
Morocco
Venezuela
Samoa
Nicaragua
Nauru
Bhutan
Iraq
Eswatini
Tajikistan
Tuvalu
Bangladesh
India
El Salvador
Palestine
Equatorial Guinea
Cape Verde
Namibia
Guatemala
Republic of the Congo
Honduras
Kiribati
Sao Tome and Principe
Timor Leste
Kenya
Ghana
Nepal
Vanuatu
Laos
Angola
Micronesia
Myanmar
Cambodia
Comoros
Zimbabwe
Zambia
Cameroon
Solomon Islands
Uganda
Ivory Coast
Rwanda
Papua New Guinea
Togo
Syria
Mauritania
Nigeria
Tanzania
Haiti
Lesotho
Pakistan
Senegal
Gambia
DR Congo
Malawi
Benin
Guinea Bissau
Djibouti
Sudan
Liberia
Eritrea
Guinea
Ethiopia
Afghanistan
Mozambique
Madagascar
Yemen
Sierra Leone
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Mali
Niger
Chad
Central African Republic
Somalia
South Sudan

Countries with Best Quality of Life

Topping the list of regions with the highest standard of living or the best quality of life based on quantitative evaluation of various living conditions is Switzerland. Norway follows closely at the second position with an HDI of 0.961, further indicating high standards in the crucial aspects of living - health, education, and income. Iceland, with an HDI of 0.959, comes third on the list, showcasing excellent living conditions characterized by advanced healthcare systems, high average income, and excellent educational institutions. Other countries making it to the top ten of the HDI ranks include Hong Kong (0.952), Australia (0.951), Denmark (0.948), Sweden (0.947), Ireland (0.945), Germany (0.942), and the Netherlands (0.941). These countries exhibit high scores in healthcare, income, and education, offering their citizens an enviable quality of life compared to other regions. Countries with Best Quality of Life

  1. Switzerland - 0.962
  2. Norway - 0.961
  3. Iceland - 0.959
  4. Hong Kong - 0.952
  5. Australia - 0.951
  6. Denmark - 0.948
  7. Sweden - 0.947
  8. Ireland - 0.945
  9. Germany - 0.942
  10. Netherlands - 0.941

Countries with Worst Quality of Life

When analyzing the standard of living by country as per the Human Development Index (HDI), South Sudan, Chad, Niger, Central African Republic, Burundi, Mali, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Yemen, and Guinea have the lowest values. South Sudan has the lowest standard of living with an HDI value of 0.385. The next countries with the lowest standard of living are Chad and Niger with HDI values of 0.394 and 0.400, respectively. Central African Republic has an HDI value of 0.404 and Burundi has a 0.426 HDI value, while Mali is slightly higher with an HDI of 0.428. The following countries, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, and Yemen have their HDI values all within the 0.400 to 0.500 range, coming in at 0.446, 0.449, and 0.455 correspondingly. Guinea rounds out the list with an HDI value of 0.465. The ten countries with the lowest standard of living, are:

  1. South Sudan - 0.385 HDI
  2. Chad - 0.394 HDI
  3. Niger - 0.400 HDI
  4. Central African Republic - 0.404 HDI
  5. Burundi - 0.426 HDI
  6. Mali - 0.428 HDI
  7. Mozambique - 0.446 HDI
  8. Burkina Faso - 0.449 HDI
  9. Yemen - 0.455 HDI
  10. Guinea - 0.465 HDI

Sources & Notes

HDI

Measure of overall human development combining life expectancy, education, and income levels.

GDP Per Capita PPP

Economic output per person adjusted for cost of living differences.

Cost of Living Index

estimates the relative price of consumer goods like groceries, restaurants, transportation, and utilities — but excludes rent.

Life Expectancy

Average number of years a newborn is expected to live.

Keep reading

Additional Rankings

Poverty Rate By Country
Economy
Countries

Poverty Rate By Country

Median Income By Country
Economy
Countries

Median Income By Country

Big Mac Index by Country
Economy
Countries

Big Mac Index by Country

HDI By Country
Economy
Countries

HDI By Country

Millionaires By Country
Economy
Countries

Millionaires By Country

Richest Asian Countries
Economy
Countries

Richest Asian Countries