Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL) – The Gambia, once beloved by UK tourists for its narrow width and affordability, has seen a drastic decline in its quality of life score, ranking among the 20 worst places to live globally. Surprisingly, CEOWORLD magazine has placed The Gambia at the bottom of its list, alongside countries like Burundi, Madagascar, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Sierra Leone. The rankings are based on global perceptions of nations that contribute most to the world’s GDP.
Despite being a popular beach destination for European travelers due to its short flight and no time difference, The Gambia faces socioeconomic issues such as poverty, limited access to healthcare and education in some areas, and occasional political instability. Factors contributing to quality of life vary greatly depending on individual circumstances, preferences, and perspectives.
To understand The Gambia’s declining status, CEOWORLD magazine conducted a study ranking 199 countries based on ten key categories, including affordability, economic stability, family-friendliness, job market, income equality, political neutrality, safety, cultural influence, well-developed public education, and public health systems. Each category was graded on a 100-point scale, with equal weighting. CEOWORLD magazine gathered experts from various sources to compare the world’s countries for citizens and residents, with the final choice of cities based on editorial judgment and their position on the list, using data from the most recent period available.
While The Gambia faces challenges, it also has positive aspects that make it unique and special for some people, including its rich cultural heritage, beautiful natural landscapes, and warm population.
In the 2024 ranking, Monaco secured the number one position for quality of life, followed by Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. Ireland ranked fourth, with Switzerland in fifth, Norway in sixth, and Singapore in seventh. Burundi was placed last, behind Madagascar, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Sierra Leone.
The worst 20 places to live
1. Gambia
2. Burkina Faso
3. Liberia
4. Somalia
5. Chad
6. DR Congo
7. North Korea
8. Mozambique
9. Eritrea
10. Niger
11. Yemen
12. Malawi
13. Central African Republic
14. Syria
15. Sudan
16. Madagascar
17. Afghanistan
18. South Sudan
19. Sierra Leone
20. Burundi
