A new United Nations report ranks Australia as the second-best country in the world in terms of quality of life. The report evaluated and ranked countries based on life expectancy, education and economic data.

Countries that made it to the top of the list include:

1. Norway
2. Australia
3. Switzerland
4. Denmark
5. Netherlands
6. Germany
7. Ireland
8. United States
9. Tie between Canada and New Zealand
11. Singapore

Australia beat Switzerland to come second to Norway, based on the nation's "Human Development Index" (HDI). Australia posted 0.935 out of the maximum score. Switzerland, on other hand, came third. Furthermore, the three countries at the top -- Norway, Australia and Switzerland -- maintained their positions from the previous year.

According to UN, the data was evaluated based on the "three basic dimensions of human development." These include life expectancy at birth, mean, expected years of school, as well as standard of living. The latter is evaluated based on the gross national income per capita.

The gross national income per individual in Australia is $58,618. People in the region are expected to live around 82 1/2 years on the average. The mean is around 13 years of schooling. Australian women are expected to outlive Australian men by four years. They are also found to be hitting the books more than their counterparts.

However, even with such findings, the gross national income of men is still higher at $70,620 as opposed to $46,727. UN also revealed in the study that Australia's HDI has been increasing throughout the years. Growth averaged at 0.32 from 1990 to 2014.

Norway's citizens enjoy higher income at US$64,992 (AU$90,148). However, the country has a lower life expectancy rate at 81.6 years. Mean years of schooling is also lower at 12.6 years. New Zealand did not do well in the rankings as it slips to ninth position, tied with Canada.

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