Norway has retained its status as the world's most desirable country to live in, according to UN data, which ranks sub-Saharan African states afflicted by war and HIV/AIDS as the least attractive places.
Data collected prior to the global economic crisis showed people in Norway, Australia and Iceland had the best living standards, while Niger, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone scored worst in terms of human development.

1) Norway

Autumn leaves are reflected in the still waters of a fjord as the sun rises west of Drammen October 6, 2007. REUTERS

2) Australia

The 34 metre (110.5 feet) long French-owned trimaran "Geronimo" crosses the start line at the beginning of an attempt to set a record for the circumnavigation of Australia, a distance of approximately 6,500 nautical miles in front of the Sydney Opera House June 22, 2005. REUTERS

3) Iceland

Bathers swim in the geothermal hot springs at Iceland's Blue Lagoon near Grindavik September 30, 2006. REUTERS

4) Canada

The sun rises between the legs of an Inukshuk atop Whistler Mountain in Whistler, British Columbia December 11, 2008. REUTERS

5) Ireland

Joe O'Malley and his sheep dog Floss check on his sheep grazing on the common land on Clare Island, County Mayo, Ireland September 23, 2009. REUTERS

6) Netherlands

A row of working Dutch windmills are lit up in Kinderdijk, the Netherlands September 7, 2004. REUTERS

7) Sweden

Stockholm's Gamla Stan or old town district is reflected in calm waters under a cloudy sky March 29, 2009. REUTERS

8) France

The Eiffel Tower is illuminated during the traditional Bastille Day fireworks display in Paris July 14, 2008. REUTERS

9) Switzerland

An aerial view shows a small village in the Swiss Alps February 3, 2009. REUTERS

10) Japan

Japan's famous Mount Fuji is seen behind blooming national flower cherry blossoms in Fuji, central Japan April 7, 2003. REUTERS

11) Luxembourg

A general view of the Ducal Palace in Luxembourg, January 30, 1996. REUTERS

12) Finland

Motorists travel along an ice-covered highway after a summer storm dropped marble-sized hailstones about 50 km (30 miles) south of Kuopio, central Finland July 2, 2008. REUTERS

13) United States

A view of downtown Pittsburgh from the Duquesne Incline on Mt. Washington September 22, 2009. REUTERS

14) Austria

The Karlskirche church is seen in Vienna, October 17, 2007. REUTERS

15) Spain

Revellers hold up traditional red scarves during the start of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona July 6, 2008. REUTERS

16) Denmark

The Nyhavn canal, part of the Copenhagen Harbor and home to many bars and restaurants, is seen August 11, 2008. REUTERS

17) Belgium

A view of a greenhouse on the grounds of the Belgian royal family's residence of Laeken in Brussels April 17, 2009. REUTERS

18) Italy

Rome's ancient Colosseum is lit up to celebrate the liberation of Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena March 4, 2005. REUTERS

19) Liechtenstein

A general view of Vaduz Castle in Liechtenstein's capital Vaduz March 1, 2008. REUTERS

20) New Zealand

Tourists take pictures over Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier April 9, 2009. In the background are the snow covered mountain peaks of Mount Cook (R) and Mount Tasman. REUTERS