Norway, Iceland best places to live

SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS SERVICE

Norway tops a 2005 United Nations list ranking it as the best country in which to live for the fifth year in a row, with Iceland as the runner-up.

Norway has led the world ranking since Canada fell from top spot in 2001.

The annual list ranks countries by an index combining wealth, education and life expectancy.

Last year, Norway was followed by Sweden, Australia and Canada at the top, while Sierra Leone was the last of 177 countries listed.

Norway’s economy is set to expand by 3.75 per cent this year, interest rates are at 2.0 percent, annual inflation is at 1.1 percent and unemployment is a low 3.7 percent.