The misery index is the sum of the unemployment rate, the lending rate, and the inflation rate minus the percent change in real GDP per capita of a country.
In 2024, Sudan was ranked as the most miserable country in the world, with a misery index score of 374.8. Argentina ranked second with an index score of 195.9.Â
Quality of life around the world
The misery index was created by the economist Arthur Okun in the 1960s. The index is calculated by adding the unemployment rate, the lending rate and the inflation rate minus percent change of GDP per capita.
Another famous tool used for the comparison of development of countries around the world is the Human Development Index, which takes into account such factors as life expectancy at birth, literacy rate, education level and gross national income (GNI) per capita.
Better economic conditions correlate with higher quality of life
Economic conditions affect the life expectancy, which is much higher in the wealthiest regions. With a life expectancy of 85 years, Liechtenstein led the ranking of countries with the highest life expectancy in 2023. On the other hand, Nigeria was the country with the lowest life expectancy, where men were expected to live 55 years as of 2024.Â
The Global Liveability Index ranks the quality of life in cities around the world, basing on political, social, economic and environmental aspects, such as personal safety and health, education and transport services and other public services. In 2024, Vienna was ranked as the city with the highest quality of life worldwide.
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Cato Institute. (February 28, 2025). Misery index scores for the most miserable countries in the world 2024 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 19, 2026, from /statistics/227162/most-miserable-countries-in-the-world/
Cato Institute. "Misery index scores for the most miserable countries in the world 2024." Chart. February 28, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 19, 2026. /statistics/227162/most-miserable-countries-in-the-world/
Cato Institute. (2025). Misery index scores for the most miserable countries in the world 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 19, 2026. /statistics/227162/most-miserable-countries-in-the-world/
Cato Institute. "Misery Index Scores for The Most Miserable Countries in The World 2024." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 28 Feb 2025, /statistics/227162/most-miserable-countries-in-the-world/
Cato Institute, Misery index scores for the most miserable countries in the world 2024 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/227162/most-miserable-countries-in-the-world/ (last visited July 19, 2026)
Misery index scores for the most miserable countries in the world 2024 [Graph], Cato Institute, February 28, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/227162/most-miserable-countries-in-the-world/
