The United Nations says Norway is the best place in the world to live while Niger is the least desirable. In its annual report, the 182 countries were ranked according to the quality of life their citizens experienced. Criteria examined included life expectancy, literacy rates, school enrolment and country economies. However the UN human development index used data collected in 2007 – before the global economic crisis. The UN Development Programme said the index highlighted the grave disparities between rich and poor countries. Other countries to reach the top spots were Australia and Iceland.