Ireland is the best country'

Ireland has been placed as the best country to live in, according to a quality of life survey by The Economist magazine.

The countrys combination of increasing wealth and traditional values makes it most likely to make its inhabitants happy, concluded the survey.

Other countries in the top ten were Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. All but one of the top ten were in Europe. Only Australia was featured from outside Europe.

Researchers took into account not just wealth, but other factors such as health, freedom, unemployment, family life, climate and political stability.

The major European industrial powers France, Germany and the UK fared worse, coming in at 25th, 26th and 29th respectively. The Economist said that although the UK scored well on income per head, high levels of family and social breakdown dragged it down the rankings.

The worst country in the world to live in was Zimbabwe where things have gone from bad to worse under Robert Mugabe, said the researchers.