A tiny little European country has been named the best place to live in the world, but it isn’t cheap. Monaco is a city-state on the French Riviera, bordered by France on three sides and the sea on the other. It is home to almost 40,000 people.
It has been ranked as the number one country in the world for quality of life in 2024 according to the CEOWORLD Magazine report.
The country’s top rank is attributed to its safety, political stability, and well-developed public health system. It got a 98 out of 100.
Monaco’s mild climate, scenery, and gambling facilities have contributed to its status as a tourist destination and recreation centre for the rich.
It is known as one of the wealthiest and most expensive countries in the world as a major banking centre and a tax haven. Over 30 percent of residents are millionaires with house prices reaching £85,000 per square metre in 2018.
It has been estimated by Numbeo that the cost of living in Monaco is, on average, 87 percent higher than the UK.
Things to do in Monaco include the marble and gold-laden Casino de Monte Carlo, the historic Oceanographic Museum, the Exotic Garden, the Old Town, the cathedral and the royal palace.
Lonely Planet said that what the country lacks in size it makes up for in attitude: “A magnet for high-rollers and hedonists since the early 20th century, it’s also home to the annual Formula One Grand Prix.”
The microstate has an average summer temperature of 27C and an average winter temperature of 7C with little rain throughout the year.
Those wanting to visit can fly to Nice, France, from across the UK and then travel the 13 miles to Monaco by bus, train or car. There are a number of places to stay in Monaco and the surrounding area in France.
The top ten best countries to live in the world and their score out of 100
- Monaco – 98
- Liechtenstein – 97.7
- Luxembourgh – 97.5
- Ireland – 97.1
- Switzerland – 97.1
- Norway – 97
- Singapore – 96.8
- Qatar – 96.6
- United States – 96.6
- Iceland – 96.5
