ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is the world’s third cheapest country after India and Nepal, said a new global report.
The report on the cost of living index for the year 2015 was conducted by Numbeo, the world’s largest database of user contributed data about cities and countries. The study ranked Switzerland as the costliest country to live in. The Numbeo provides current and timely information on world living conditions including cost of living, housing indicators, health care, traffic, crime, and pollution.
The report showed that efforts of Pakistan’s current government have started yielding results and prices of essential items are coming down, contrary to rising international trend. Tunisia, Algeria, Moldova, Egypt, Macedonia, Syria, Colombia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Georgia, Morocco and Philippines are behind Pakistan. Whereas, Norway, Venezuela and Iceland are costliest countries after Switzerland.
The Numbeo issued the index after assessing transportation costs involved including one-way tickets, monthly passes, taxi fares, petrol prices and other costs such as running a car besides, meal prices of expensive, mid-range and inexpensive restaurants along with prices of coffee products and water. The utilities assessed involved electricity, heating, water, and the Internet.
