In a new ranking by Bloomberg Covid Resilience Rankings, the UAE has been named the sixth best place globally to live during the pandemic. It has climbed nine ranks from 15^th place since the last ranking in August.

Ratings have ranked Ireland as the best place to live in right now, followed by Spain, the Netherlands, Finland and Denmark. Other countries in Top 10 list along with the UAE are France, Switzerland, Canada and Norway.

Top 10 places to live during coronavirus pandemic are:

1. Ireland

2. Spain

3. Netherlands

4. Finland

5. Denmark

6. UAE

7. France

8. Switzerland

9. Canada

10. Norway

The UAE’s score in ranking was 74.7, with 92.3 per cent vaccinated population, according to Bloomberg figures. This vaccination rate is the highest in the world. The country fewest Covid-19 restrictions of the 53 countries. Bloomberg said that improvement was due to “less stringent restrictions amid falling cases and deaths.”

Bloomberg’s ranking of 53 countries is a “monthly snapshot of where the virus is being handled the most effectively with the least social and economic upheaval”. The list is compiled using 12 factors: virus containment; the quality of healthcare; vaccination coverage; overall mortality and progress toward restarting travel and easing border curbs.

New Zealand, which topped the list last November, had tumbled to 29th place in August and has fallen down to 38th place in the latest rating. It is now below UK, Germany, Brazil and the US. “A Delta incursion after months virus-free has left the country in varying degrees of lockdown, still seeking to stamp out infections as it strives to boost vaccination levels,” said Bloomberg.

Ireland topped the list with a resilience score of 79.4, attributed to its high vaccination coverage with over 90 per cent of the adult population, and the allowing resumption of more “social activity” in a safe manner.

“Ireland rose three places from August thanks to one of the world’s best vaccination rates, projections for a rapid economic rebound and the government’s decision this month to loosen both domestic restrictions as well as travel quarantine rules,” said Bloomberg.

The Philippines has been ranked as worst place to live currently. It dropped to number 53 after facing huge Covid-19 cases surge of the Delta variant. This was added with difficulties to contain the contagious strain and slow vaccination rate.

The authors have stressed the list is “not the final verdict”. They added that next six months will be crucial as the temperature drops across Europe, the US and other places in the northern hemisphere.

“Winter in the northern hemisphere will be the real next big test to see how effective high levels of vaccination have been,” Peter Collignon, a professor of infectious diseases at the Australian National University Medical School in Canberra, said.