Regional geopolitics, domestic policy and leadership, and frequency of conflict all trickle down to shape the lived realities of people. Numbeo’ quality of life index scores countries in the basis of purchasing power of its people, healthcare, safety, and cost of living, among others. Take a look at seven countries with the lowest quality of life.
1 / 71. Nigeria | Nigeria recorded the lowest quality of life, scoring 15.6 points. This West African countries has poor healthcare and infrastructure facility in addition to rampant corruption. For context, Luxembourg which has the best quality of life scored 218.2 points. (Image: Canva)
2 / 72. Venezuela | Although known to be one of the most highly-urbanised countries in Latin America, Venezuela has the second worst quality of life in the world. The country has suffered under Nicolas Maduro who is considered a dictator by many including the US. (Image: AP)
3 / 73. Bangladesh | Bangladesh too recorded a low quality of life, scoring 77 points. In 2023, the people of Bangladesh toppled its government due to rampant corruption and lack of employment opportunities and growing dissatisfaction among the youth. (Image: Shutterstock)
4 / 74. Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka ranks fourth with a score of 82.8 points in Quality of Life Index. The country is still recovering from the 2022 economic crisis when poor governance and rampant corruption under former Prime Minister Gotabaya Rajapaksa plunged it into debts. (Image: Reuters)
5 / 75. Egypt | With a score of 83.2 points, Egypt has performed only slightly better than Sri Lanka. The country performed especially poorly in purchasing power, cost of living, and property price to income ratio. (Image: CNBC-TV18 file photo)
6 / 76. Iran | The the Islamic Republic of Iran scored 86.7 in quality of life. The country under Ali Khamenei, who was appointed the Supreme Leader for life in 1989, was engaged in airstrike warfare against Israel in June this year. Tension eventually subsided after US President Donald Trump claimed to have brokered a ceasefire. The country also suffers economically due to sanctions placed by the US. (Image: Reuters)
7 / 77. Peru | This South American country scored 90.7 in quality of life. Peruvians experience an especially poor access to healthcare. As of 2023, thousands lacked access to basic healthcare services even though 99% of the population have health insurance. (Image: Peru)
