The misery index, a crude economic measure created by Arthur Orkum,
sums a country’s unemployment and inflation rates to assess conditions
on the ground (the higher the number, the more miserable a country is).
The reasoning: most citizens understand the pain of a high jobless rate
and the soaring price of goods.
Business Insider totaled the figures for 197 countries and
territories — from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe — to compile the 2013 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. The CIA World Factbook was last
updated on February 11, 2013.
25. Mali
Misery index score: 36.5
CPI inflation: 6.5%
Unemployment: 30%
CPI inflation: 6.5%
Unemployment: 30%
One of the poorest countries in the world, Mali depends on gold
mining and agricultural exports for revenue, which is why the country’s
fiscal status depends on gold and food prices. About 10% of the
population is nomadic and about 80 percent of the working labor force is
engaged in farming and fishing.
24. Mauritania
Misery index score: 37
CPI inflation: 7%
Unemployment: 30%
CPI inflation: 7%
Unemployment: 30%
Half the population is still dependent on agriculture and livestock
to earn a living, and poverty is rampant. The local economy depends
heavily on commodities exports, mostly of iron ore. These exports are
pretty much the only reason why Mauritianian economy grew 5 percent last
year.
23. Iran
Misery index score: 39.1
CPI inflation: 23.6%
Unemployment: 15.5%
CPI inflation: 23.6%
Unemployment: 15.5%
Price controls, subsidies, and other rigidities under mine private
sector growth, and are proving to be a real drag on the economy, as is a
rapidly depreciating currency. Which is why corruption is ...
