The 20 Most Miserable Countries In The World

The 20 Most Miserable Countries In The World

by Eric Platt

As the Greek economy deteriorates further, the country's people have grown despondent over a lack of leadership and failed austerity measures.
But on a list of the most miserable countries in the world, Greece wouldn't even crack the worst 50.
The misery index, a crude economic theory created by Arthur Orkum, sums a country's unemployment and inflation rates to assess conditions on the ground (the higher the number, the worse off a country is).
The reasoning: you can tell a great deal about an economy by a soaring jobless rate and a population that can afford less and less of required goods.
Business Insider totaled the figures for 197 countries and territories — from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe — to compile the 2012 Misery Index.
Note: Results are based on CIA World Factbook data, which estimates figures for countries and territories that do not have reliable local reporting agencies.

#20: Iran

Misery index score: 37.8%
CPI inflation: 22.5%

Unemployment: 15.3%
Source: CIA Factbook

#19: Afghanistan

Misery index score: 42.7%
CPI inflation: 7.7%

Unemployment: 35.0%
Source: CIA Factbook

#18: Gaza Strip

Misery index score: 45.0%
CPI inflation: 5.0%

Unemployment: 40.0%
Source: CIA Factbook


See the rest of the story at Business Insider