Ireland still fifth best place in the world to live in - UN HDI

[Joseph Emmet]

As I have read thread after thread I had the impression that things were as bad today as they were in the 50's as far as living conditions and the state of the economy, yet I just read this article which seems to contradict those ideas. Which is it?

"Despite Ireland's current economic turmoil and high rates of emigration, a UN Development programme report has ranked Ireland fifth in a quality-of-life index.

Last year Ireland was rated as one of the top five countries and has managed to retain it's place for 2010. The only countries to beat Ireland to the top were Norway, Australia, New Zealand and the U.S.

In the United Nations ranking list, Ireland has remained unchanged since 2005 while Iceland slipped by 10 places to 17th place in the same period.

Based on Irish indicators such as life expectancy at birth (80.3 years), gross national income per capita ($33,078) and average schooling (11.6 years) Ireland was ranked as having “very high human development”.

Taking final place on the list of 169 countries was Zimbabwe, which have a life expectancy of just 47 years.

Ireland was ahead of Canada in eighth place, Germany in 10th place and the UK at 26th place.

The index was originally devised in 1990 to offer an alternative to gross national product per capita, which is the common marker of human progress.

Irish Central.com" by Cathy Hayes a staff writer

[TonyBird]

We've got a lot going for us . Theres just to many thieves and liars . Thats basically our only problem .

[Joseph Emmet]

Would you then agree it is more desirable than the UK, France or Germany?

[TonyBird]

Would you then agree it is more desirable than the UK, France or Germany?

Personally speaking , yes . For now . If I leave I will head to Spain, Holland or the Isle of mann .

[TaxHavenSite]

Personally speaking , yes . For now . If I leave I will head to Spain, Holland or the Isle of mann .

What about Romania? Low apartment prices,the 4th fastest internet in the world for about 8 euros a month. If you could get a job where you could telecommute you could save alot of money.

[TonyBird]

What about Romania? Low apartment prices,the 4th fastest internet in the world for about 8 euros a month. If you could get a job where you could telecommute you could save alot of money.

I aint gettin on no plane !
Unfortunatley

[TaxHavenSite]

I aint gettin on no plane !
Unfortunatley

When you have chance to leave,you can take ferry to the u.k. get on the train to London. From London you go to Paris,then to Munich,then to Budapest then to Bucharest.

[Pauli]

Ah now don't be spending your last days in the midst of vitriolic bitterness.

The HDI is crap. Deal with it. Why is Switzerland 13th?

13th?

The Mercer's Quality of Life Survey is, in my opinion, a lot more reliable

News Release: 2010 Mercer Quality of Living survey

The Swiss come out a bit better in this, with 3 of the world's top ten cities to live in listed, two of which are in the top 3.

[Éireann go Brách]

Indices & Data | Human Development Reports (HDR) | United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

We have fallen to seventh place for 2011

[CookieMonster]

Indices & Data | Human Development Reports (HDR) | United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

We have fallen to seventh place for 2011

That's Enda Kenny's influence for ya...