Israel in Top 10 Pct in World's Highest Quality of Life

JERUSALEM, Israel -- Despite all the trouble on Israel's doorstep -- civil war and ISIS in Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and radical groups in the Egyptian Sinai desert – the Jewish state ranks as the 18th most desirable country in which to live in the world.

That's according to this year's United Nations Human Development Index (HDI).  The annual report ranks 188 countries according to economic strength, education, health, life expectancy and gross national product per-capita in determining the quality-of-life rating.

Norway topped the list, with the U.S. coming in at eight, Canada at nine, and the U.K. at 14.  Israel was ahead of Japan at 20, France at 22, Spain at 26 and Italy at 27.

Israel is one of 49 countries considered to have "Very High Human Development."  Israel has the highest fertility rate among those countries.

Elsewhere in the Middle East, Qatar ranked 32, Lebanon 67, Jordan 80 and Egypt 108 – with Syria coming in at 134.