Zimbabwe has been named the world’s most miserable country on Hanke’s Annual Misery Index (HAMI). HAMI, judges countries on the basis of economic conditions. This southern African country surpassed war-torn nations like Ukraine, Syria and Sudan.
Why is Zimbabwe the worst?
The nation has been plagued with skyrocketing inflation. The inflation touched 243.8 per cent last year. According to the index, the policies of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his ZANU–PF party have also resulted in massive misery for the citizens of Zimbabwe.
Thanks to stunning inflation, high unemployment, high lending rates, and anemic real GDP growth, Zimbabwe clocks in as the WORLD'S MOST MISERABLE COUNTRY in the Hanke 2022 Annual Misery Index. Need I say more? pic.twitter.com/0uhfnWQUyW
— Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) May 21, 2023
Steve Hanke tweeted – “Thanks to stunning inflation, high unemployment, high lending rates, and anemic real GDP growth, Zimbabwe clocks in as the WORLD’S MOST MISERABLE COUNTRY in the Hanke 2022 Annual Misery Index. Need I say more?”
Parameters of 2022 ranking
Economist Steve Hanke calculated the 2022 ranking of Hanke’s Annual Misery Index after factoring in aspects like unemployment, inflation, bank-lending rates and the percentage change in GDP.
Top 15 most ‘miserable’ countries
For rankings, a total of 157 countries were analysed. As per New York Post – Venezuela, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Argentina, Yemen, Ukraine, Cuba, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Haiti, Angola, Tonga, and Ghana are the other countries in the top 15 list of most miserable nations.
Least miserable countries
The honour of the least miserable country in the world went to Switzerland, with 157th rank. The second-happiest country was Kuwait, followed by Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Niger, Thailand, Togo, and Malta.
Finland, which has been ranked the world’s happiest country for six years in a row by the World Happiness Report, was ranked 109th on the misery index. The United States of America was among the least miserable countries, with a rank of 134.
Where does India stand?
India ranked 103 on the list, with the contributing factor to the misery being unemployment. In terms of misery, India fared better than countries like Brazil (rank 27), Pakistan (rank 35), Nepal (rank 63) and Sweden (rank 88).
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