One of the Chretien government's favourite statistics is less than stellar this year. Canada has slipped to eighth on the United Nations' quality of life index -- behind the United States -- according to a report to be released Tuesday.

Canada was first ranked number one on the United Nations Human Development Index in 1992, hanging on to the top spot until 2001 when it dropped to third -- behind Norway and Sweden.

According to the UN's latest report, for 2002, Canada has fallen another five spots. The latest rankings put Canada behind 7 countries including Australia and the United States.

Andrew Cohen, author of While Canada Slept told Canada AM Monday the list shouldn't be cause for alarm.

"From what we know of this list... the eight are very close together. So before we hang ourselves we should realize this is a number of different measures and in fact the quality of life in Canada is still good," Cohen said.

"Chretien has talked a lot about Canada being first in the world, and in many ways we still are, but it may be something of a warning to us in areas that perhaps we are slipping."

Although details of the report have not been released, the reasons given for Canada's slip include the rate of poverty among Canada's aboriginal peoples and a declining gross domestic product per capita.

But Canadians can remain proud of holding at least one top ranking, for longevity. Canadian's average life expectancy of 79 years is long enough for number one.

The UN rankings include life expectancy, education, health, income, poverty and the environment.

Norway ranked first, followed by Iceland, Sweden, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium and the United States.

Among the 175 countries ranked, the bottom 25 are in Africa. Sierra Leone ranks last, with an average life expectancy of only 34 years.