Turns out data reckons we're a more 'misreable' country than last year. There's a legit list that uses economic factors of different countries and then ranks them in order of most to least 'miserable'.
This ranking is based on economic data, but we know times are tough for a lot of people regardless of the economy. If you or some you know is struggling, we got you. You can check out a bunch of resources that'll help here.
Hanke’s Annual Misery Index (HAMI) has Aotearoa as the 104th most miserable country out of 157. Last year, we were a pleasant 151 out of 156. What’s the reason for the big drop? Bank lending rates according to Steven Hanke, who created the list.
Each country also receives a misery rating (NZ has a 22.41 while top place Zimbabwe has a 414.7) which is calculated through a range of economic indicators.
“My version of the misery index is the sum of the year-end unemployment (multiplied by two), inflation, and bank-lending rates, minus the annual percentage change in real GDP per capita,” Hamke writes.
“Higher readings on the first three elements are “bad” and make people more miserable. These ‘bads’ are offset by a ‘good’ (real GDP per capita growth), which is subtracted from the sum of the ‘bads’ to yield a HAMI score.”
All of the top ten most miserable countries are heavily influenced by either inflation or unemployment.
HAMI’s Top Ten Most Miserable Countries:
- Zimbabwe - 414.7 - Inflation
- Venezuela - 330.8 - Inflation
- Syria - 225.4 - Unemployment
- Lebanon - 190.337 - Inflation
- Sudan - 176.1 - Inflation
- Argentina - 156.192 - Inflation
- Yemen - 116.2 - Inflation
- Ukraine - 110.003 - Unemployment
- Cuba - 102 - Inflation
- Turkey - 101.601 - Inflation
HAMI’s Top Ten Happiest Countries:
- Switzerland - 8.518
- Kuwait - 8.6
- Ireland - 8.602
- Japan - 9.071
- Malaysia - 9.075
- Taiwan - 9.399
- Niger - 9.77
- Thailand - 10.219
- Togo - 10.95
- Malta - 11.062
In even more heartbreaking news, Australia is apparently less miserable than us, coming in at #116.
They're yet to take into account the fact that beer is set to get more expensive here, which might boost our misery levels even more.
