Ireland 10th best place to live - but not for everyone

IRELAND has moved into the top 10 in the world's quality of life league for the first time - but the country remains one of the most unequal societies of all wealthy western nations.

The annual United Nations Human Development Report to be published today shows Ireland is placed 10th of 177 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI), which is assessed on key characteristics including income levels and standards of health and education.

The new rating means Ireland has moved up two places from last year and eight places in the last three years. In monetary terms alone, the country retains last year's rating of third place in the world after Luxembourg and Norway.