The top 10 countries for quality of life include Denmark, Canada, and New Zealand.
According to a recent report by U.S. News and World Report, the top countries in the world were ranked based on their quality of life.
Nearly 17,000 people worldwide participated in a survey conducted by U.S. News and World Report, WPP, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania from March 22 to May 23, 2024, to rank the 89 countries listed.
The best countries for quality of life were scored across the following metrics:
- Affordable
- Good job market
- Economically stable
- Family-friendly
- Income equality
- Politically stable
- Safe
- Well-developed public education system
- Well-developed public health system
The United States is not among the top 10 countries for quality of life, ranking No. 22. However, it holds the highest position ever in U.S. News and World Report's overall ranking of the best countries in 2024, at No. 3.
According to Elliot Davis, a reporter at U.S. News and World Report, the United States ranked poorly in the metrics used to determine the best countries for quality of life, coming in at No. 57 for affordability and No. 49 for countries perceived as not bureaucratic.
"According to Davis, they performed well in the job market, ranking 13th, but they are not perceived as providing the same quality of life for their people as other countries."
Denmark is the No. 1 country for quality of life
Denmark moved from fourth place in 2023 to first place in this year's ranking.
Scandinavia, comprising Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, is a cultural region in northern Europe.
"According to Davis, Denmark is known for its exceptional performance in various sub-rankings, including education, healthcare, political stability, and economic stability. He adds that Denmark is widely regarded as a country that offers its citizens a high standard of living."
Despite paying some of the world's highest taxes, which can amount to half of their income, Danish citizens enjoy several benefits such as free healthcare, subsidized childcare, tuition-free university education, and financial assistance for students, as well as pension and care helper support for the elderly.
According to a July 2024 survey by InterNations, Denmark was ranked as the top country where expats are most content with their jobs, career prospects, work-life balance, and more.
In Denmark, 84% of expats are content with their work-life balance, which is higher than the global average of 60%.
Denmark was ranked as the second happiest country in the world in this year's World Happiness Report. The country's high ranking can be attributed to its strong sense of equality and responsibility for social welfare, as stated on its official website. These two factors are closely linked to happiness, according to the report.
Top 10 countries in the world for quality of life
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Canada
- Finland
- Germany
- Australia
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
This year, Sweden dropped from first to second place in the world for quality of life.
Like Denmark, Sweden provides its residents with free healthcare and college education. Its citizens have one of the longest life expectancies, with an average age of 82.8 years, as per the CIA World Factbook.
Despite dropping in the rankings this year, Sweden excelled in other areas. It placed second in the world for human rights and environmental concerns. However, the only drawback is that, like Denmark, Sweden ranks low for affordability.
Sweden's parental leave policy is unique, offering parents 480 days of paid leave when a child is born or adopted, with each parent entitled to 240 of those days.
According to Numbeo, the average cost of living in Sweden is 9.4% lower than in the United States, and renting is 47.5% lower.
Sweden is among the top 10 countries in the Nordic region, as pointed out by Davis.
He states that the region is viewed as offering a superior standard of living for its residents.
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