By Abiola Olawale
Nigeria currently ranks low on the list of desirable destinations for individuals considering relocation from their home countries, the latest Quality of Living Index by Global Citizen Solutions has revealed.
The report stated that the ranking is largely due to a combination of factors, including widespread persecution, the severe impacts of climate change, limited economic opportunities, and significant human rights violations.
According to the report, these challenges create an environment that many find unwelcoming and precarious, making the prospect of resettlement in Nigeria seem less appealing to those seeking safety and better prospects.
The report reads in part: “The Quality of Living Index looks at the overall quality of life a country offers. For the Quality of Living dimension, the goal set was to assess how good life is in the country as a permanent/primary place of residence for expats, retirees, and anyone seeking desirable living conditions abroad.
“Six main weights of indicators are included in the index, including SDG (30%), Cost of Living (20%), Freedom in the World (20%), Happiness Score (10%), Environmental Performance (10%), and Migrant Acceptance (10%).”
The report revealed that Nigeria holds a position of 135th among 199 nations, achieving an overall score of 54.1.
According to the report, the rating was based on a comprehensive evaluation of various critical factors, including the accessibility and affordability of essential amenities, the quality of infrastructure, the cost of living, as well as levels of personal and political freedom. Additionally, the analysis considered environmental quality and societal attitudes towards foreigners. These findings emerge against the backdrop of Nigeria’s challenging economic landscape, reflecting the ongoing cost of living crisis that many citizens are currently facing.
The report specifically rated Nigeria low in both the standard of living of the population and the pursuit of attainment of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), just as it ranked the country partially free in terms of protection of personal freedom.
Similarly, Nigeria recorded a very low score in environmental quality but a very high one in migrants’ acceptance.
The report which scored Nigeria 54.1, showed that the country camfrom e African countries such as Namibia (87th), South Africa (88), Tunisia (90th), Ghana (91st), Seychelles (101st), Morocco (103rd), Senegal (106), Botswana (107), Algeria (108) and Cote d’Ivoire at 115th, among others.
Nigeria only topped countries such as Maldives, Libya, China, Brunei, Venezuela, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Gabon in overall quality of living standards.
However, European countries such as Sweden, Finland, Germany, Denmark and Spain emerged in the top five on the list.
The Report further stated; “The set of orienting questions was: What is the overall level of human development/general population quality of life? How happy is the country’s population? How good is healthcare? How affordable is good healthcare?
“How safe is living in the country? How good is education? How good is it as a travel hub? What is the level of freedom experienced by the country’s population?
“Several thematic areas were prioritized, and research was undertaken to identify reliable data sources with comprehensive country coverage.”
