Liberia is listed among 19 other nations classified as the saddest countries in the world, a report culled from the Forbes has revealed. According Forbes, in its recent ranking of the "World's Happiest and Saddest Countries, Liberia ranks 13th among the saddest countries in the world.

Forbes is an American business magazine company founded in 1917 by B.C. Forbes and it's owned by Forbes, Inc. It produces numerous online and print publications, featuring original articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing topics. Forbes also reports on related subjects such as technology, communications, science, and law. The company is popular for its periodic publications consisting of a variety of topics such as the richest businessmen, most influential individuals, and the most powerful women around the globe.

The latest Forbes' ranking, which has it source from the Legatum Prosperity Index is based on a study of 142 countries comprising 96% of global population. Nations are analyzed and ranked on 89 indicators in 8 categories such as education, government and economics. Per capita GDP -- basically how rich a nation is -- is a factor in the index, but the whole point of the Legatum study is to look beyond such a simple measure at all the myriad issues that make up wellbeing and prosperity.

In general, the report says, the most prosperous countries enjoy stable political institutions, a strong civil society with freedom of expression, good education and healthcare, personal freedom and a feeling of being safe and secure. In Forbes's recent publication of the World's Happiest and Saddest Countries, the group indicates that: "Life appears to be improving somewhat under President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, though some are concerned about the appearance of rampant looting of Liberia's forest resources."

In spite of the country's ranking in the 13th position among the saddest countries on the planet, Forbes states that Liberia's bright spot is that the country ranks 68th in Social Capital, but at the same time, Forbes pointed out that Liberia is at 130th place in the overall.

Other nations on the Forbes' ranking of the saddest countries in the world include Nigeria, which sits low below in the 20th position of the list of 20. The Central African Republic is number one on the list, followed by the Republic of Congo and Afghanistan, while Liberia's neighbors Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ivory Coast ranked 15th, 16th and 17th places respectively.