Most and Least Livable Countries: UN Human Development Index, 2006 The Human Development Index (HDI), published annually by the UN, ranks nations according to their citizens' quality of life rather than strictly by a nation's traditional economic figures. The criteria for calculating rankings include life expectancy, educational attainment, and adjusted real income. The 2006 index is based on 2004 figures. “Most Livable” Countries, 2006 1. Norway16. France 2. Iceland17. Italy 3. Australia18. United Kingdom 4. Ireland19. Spain 5. Sweden20. New Zealand 6. Canada21. Germany 7. Japan22. Israel 8. United States23. Greece 9. Switzerland24. Singapore 10. Netherlands25.Korea, Rep. of 11. Finland26. Slovenia 12. Luxembourg27. Portugal 13. Belgium28. Cyprus 14. Austria29. Czech Republic 15. Denmark30. Barbados “Least Livable” Countries, 2006 1. Niger16. Tanzania 2. Sierra Leone17. Angola 3. Mali18. Guinea 4. Burkina Faso19. Nigeria 5. Guinea-Bissau20. Rwanda 6. Central African Republic21. Eritrea 7. Chad22. Senegal 8. Ethiopia23. Gambia 9. Burundi24. Haiti 10. Mozambique25. Mauritania 11. Congo, Dem. Rep. of the26. Kenya 12. Malawi27. Zimbabwe 13. Zambia28. Yemen 14. Côte d'Ivoire29. Lesotho 15. Benin30. Djibouti Source:Human Development Report, 2006,United Nations. Web: hdr.undp.org.