30 Countries with the Highest Quality of Life Heading into 2024

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In this article, we will look into the 30 countries with the highest quality of life heading into 2024. If you want to skip our detailed analysis you can go directly to the 5 Countries with the Highest Quality of Life Heading into 2024.

Global Quality of Life: An Analysis

Quality of life is a broad concept that covers the well-being of people in a region, encompassing the aspects of social security, economic liberty, health, education, environment, equal rights, economic well-being, and effective governance, among other factors. According to McKinsey and Company, the McKinsey Institute of Health (MIH) believes that in the coming decades, we could add nearly 6 years of life per person on average. The MIH is of the view that the world has the capacity and technology for innovation in all aspects of life, ultimately lifting life expectancy and overall quality of life. Several countries have experienced substantial health improvements over a decade. For instance, Countries including Bolivia, Ireland, and Thailand gained 3.8, 3.0, and 4.5 years in their life expectancies.

In 2017, The Pew Research Center surveyed 38 countries to analyze people's perception of quality of life in comparison to what it was 50 years ago. It concluded that countries with higher education and progressing economies are more likely to experience a better quality of life. More than 50% of countries surveyed reported a better quality of life with respect to literacy rates and economy.

According to the OECD report, "How's Life? 2020", the quality of life has significantly improved over the past decade. In 2020, the OECD countries reported higher disposable income and higher employment rates. The quality of life has drastically improved over the past decade, with stronger social safety nets than before. The improvement is evident in the relatively high $28,000 average annual household income of the member countries and a median $162,000 household wealth, affordable living costs, high employment rates, economic conditions, and reduced gender inequalities.

Europe: The Region with the Highest Quality of Life

Europe is home to some of the countries with the highest quality of life. According to a survey by the Eurobarometer, European countries report an average life satisfaction of 7.2 out of 10. Some of the countries reporting the highest satisfaction include Austria, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, among others. Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, and Hungary are some of the countries that reported the lowest satisfaction with the quality of life in 2021.