Bhutan has secured the best place to live in among South Asian countries, after securing the 75th position overall out of 194 countries surveyed for standards of living, according to the 2010 Quality of Life Index published by travel magazine International Living.

Bhutan has beaten even the two top Asian giants, India and China. According to the report, Bhutan moved up 11 places from the 86th position last year. There were nine categories for which each country was rated. Bhutan secured 80 in the category of cost of living, 28 for leisure and culture, 58 for economy, 83 for environment, 42 for freedom, 27 for health, 40 for infrastructure, 100 for risk and safety and 79 for climate.In the risk and safety field, Bhutan was one of the many winners securing all 100 points. Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan secured zero points in this category, making them the most unsafe nations.

Out of the 194  countries that were assessed, France topped the list for the fifth consecutive year. It was followed by Australia, Switzerland, and Germany. The worst country to live in, according to the report, was Somalia followed by Yemen, Sudan and Chad. Sweden tops as the most expensive country to live in, the index showed. By Dawa T Wangchuk in Thimphu