The 17 countries with the worst quality of life in the world

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17. Ivory Coast — 48.97. We begin with the Ivory Coast in West Africa, a country which scores just 35.43 on the SPI's "personal rights" metric, thanks in part to two civil wars in the last 14 years alone.

17. Ivory Coast — 48.97. We begin with the Ivory Coast in West Africa, a country which scores just 35.43 on the SPI's "personal rights" metric, thanks in part to two civil wars in the last 14 years alone.
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16. Mozambique — 47.96. One of the big problems Mozambique faces is water and sanitation, a sub-index it scores a worrying 19.95 in. The country suffered a brutal 15-year? civil war which ended in the early 1990s, but thankfully it has been relatively stable since then.

16. Mozambique — 47.96. One of the big problems Mozambique faces is water and sanitation, a sub-index it scores a worrying 19.95 in. The country suffered a brutal 15-year? civil war which ended in the early 1990s, but thankfully it has been relatively stable since then.
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15. Cameroon — 47.22. Another West African country, Cameroon is a former British and French colony, and President Paul Biya is known for being an authoritarian. It suffers from bad pollution, with just 41.37 on the SPI "environmental quality" metric.

15. Cameroon — 47.22. Another West African country, Cameroon is a former British and French colony, and President Paul Biya is known for being an authoritarian. It suffers from bad pollution, with just 41.37 on the SPI "environmental quality" metric.

14. Nigeria — 46.49. It's West Africa again, and despite Nigeria's natural resources making it the 20th largest economy in the world, social progress is slow. It scores just 32.45 on "tolerance and inclusion" sub-index.

14. Nigeria — 46.49. It's West Africa again, and despite Nigeria's natural resources making it the 20th largest economy in the world, social progress is slow. It scores just 32.45 on "tolerance and inclusion" sub-index.
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13. Mali — 46.24. Another West African country plagued by political upheaval thanks to Islamist rebels and Tuareg military coups, Mali suffers from low "personal freedom and choice," scoring just 34.16 on that index.

13. Mali — 46.24. Another West African country plagued by political upheaval thanks to Islamist rebels and Tuareg military coups, Mali suffers from low "personal freedom and choice," scoring just 34.16 on that index.

12. Mauritania — 46.08. 20% of Mauritanians live on less than $1.25 per day according to the United Nations, and that is reflected in Mauritania's woeful "opportunity" sub-index score of 30.1.

12. Mauritania — 46.08. 20% of Mauritanians live on less than $1.25 per day according to the United Nations, and that is reflected in Mauritania's woeful "opportunity" sub-index score of 30.1.
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11. Madagascar — 45.91. Citizens of Madagascar — an island off of the coast of south-west Africa — are very poor, with 90% of its inhabitants surviving on less than $2 a day. Water and sanitation are a particularly bad, with a sub-index score of just 15.91.

11. Madagascar — 45.91. Citizens of Madagascar — an island off of the coast of south-west Africa — are very poor, with 90% of its inhabitants surviving on less than $2 a day. Water and sanitation are a particularly bad, with a sub-index score of just 15.91.

10. Liberia — 45.07. Liberia means "land of the free" in Latin, but that is not reflected in its SPI ranking, which scores only 41.44 on the "tolerance and inclusion" index. This is partly down to two vicious civil wars over the last three decades, as well as Ebola outbreaks.

10. Liberia — 45.07. Liberia means "land of the free" in Latin, but that is not reflected in  its SPI ranking, which scores only 41.44 on the "tolerance and inclusion" index. This is partly down to two vicious civil wars over the last three decades, as well as Ebola outbreaks.
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9. Sierra Leone — 44.22. Another West African nation plagued by civil war and Ebola outbreaks, the SPI lists housing as a major problem for Sierra Leone, scoring just 27.65 on the "shelter" index because of dangerously low electricity? supplies.

9. Sierra Leone — 44.22. Another West African nation plagued by civil war and Ebola outbreaks, the SPI lists housing as a major problem for Sierra Leone, scoring just 27.65 on the "shelter" index because of dangerously low electricity? supplies.

8. Ethiopia — 43.50. Over to East Africa now, Ethiopia endured civil war and communist purges in the 70s and 80s, devastating its economy. Though it's made a bit of a recovery, its access to information and communications index scores a terrible 34.57.

8. Ethiopia — 43.50. Over to East Africa now, Ethiopia endured civil war and communist purges in the 70s and 80s, devastating its economy. Though it's made a bit of a recovery, its access to information and communications index scores a terrible 34.57.
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7. Yemen — 41.76. Moving to the Middle East, Yemen was ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the world by Transparency International. Yemen scores low on every sub-index, but access to advanced education is really terrible at only 5.29.

7. Yemen — 41.76. Moving to the Middle East, Yemen was ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the world by Transparency International. Yemen scores low on every sub-index, but access to advanced education is really terrible at only 5.29.

6. Guinea — 41.66. Back in West Africa, Guinea suffered from serious Ebola outbreaks, while its government has been accused by the UN of major human rights violations. Its "personal freedom and choice" sub-index scores just 33.73.

6. Guinea — 41.66. Back in West Africa, Guinea suffered from serious Ebola outbreaks, while its government has been accused by the UN of major human rights violations. Its "personal freedom and choice" sub-index scores just 33.73.
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5. Niger — 41.63. Niger is a landlocked country in North Africa and droughts are a major problem. The SPI ranks its "water and sanitation" sub-index at only 22.19, which has lead to devastating food shortages and famines.

5. Niger — 41.63. Niger is a landlocked country in North Africa and droughts are a major problem. The SPI ranks its "water and sanitation" sub-index at only 22.19, which has lead to devastating food shortages and famines.

4. Angola — 39.70. Moving down to the south-west coast of Africa, Angola has large mineral and petroleum reserves, but his has not translated to a much better life for its people. The country scores just 25.65 on the "opportunity" index, implying far too many struggle to find work and get ahead.

4. Angola — 39.70. Moving down to the south-west coast of Africa, Angola has large mineral and petroleum reserves, but his has not translated to a much better life for its people. The country scores just 25.65 on the "opportunity" index, implying far too many struggle to find work and get ahead.
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3. Chad — 36.38. Chad is one of the oldest civilisations in the world, with evidence of human activity dating back to 7000 BC. Sadly its population suffers a great deal today, especially on the "nutrition and medical care" sub-index, which the SPI gives just 44.84.

3. Chad — 36.38. Chad is one of the oldest civilisations in the world, with evidence of human activity dating back to 7000 BC. Sadly its population suffers a great deal today, especially on the "nutrition and medical care" sub-index, which the SPI gives just 44.84.

2. Afghanistan — 35.89. A country devastated by war for as long as most people can remember, Afghanistan scores low on every SPI metric. The "tolerance and inclusion" sub-index is especially bad at 21.92, thanks to a residual presence of the authoritative Taliban.

2. Afghanistan — 35.89. A country devastated by war for as long as most people can remember, Afghanistan scores low on every SPI metric. The "tolerance and inclusion" sub-index is especially bad at 21.92, thanks to a residual presence of the authoritative Taliban.
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1. Central African Republic — 30.03. The country with the lowest standard of living for its citizens is the Central African Republic (CAR), according to the SPI. Its scores are low across the board, from water, shelter, nutrition, and education. The worst is the "personal rights," sub-index at only 2.27, suggesting that even if a nation is resource-rich — CAR has huge mineral and oil reserves — not everyone benefits.

1. Central African Republic — 30.03. The country with the lowest standard of living for its citizens is the Central African Republic (CAR), according to the SPI. Its scores are low across the board, from water, shelter, nutrition, and education. The worst is the "personal rights," sub-index at only 2.27, suggesting that even if a nation is resource-rich — CAR has huge mineral and oil reserves — not everyone benefits.