Best Countries in the World

[The_Dude 1,142]

Excuse me, the words were coined so its definition could be used in defense of a point someone was trying to make.

If you're not even going to try Marc, GTFO. They define the term in the article, whether or not you agree with it is immaterial as I doubt you are remotely qualified to dispute it on an academic or relative level.

[alienlovechild 75]

Best Low-Income Nation: Albania

(Honorable mention: best education)

Albania rarely makes headlines and seems an unlikely model for other countries, but this new democracy actually outperforms all other low-income countries. Among the countries in its category Albania consistently ranks highest in education, health, and quality of life. Nearly 99 percent of Albanians are literate. Despite being a citizen of one the poorest countries in Europe, the average Albanians can expect to live until 78 and the average Albanian woman until 81--a pretty good statistic considering that the average citizen of wealthy Germany will live until only 79.

Best Education

Low income: Ukraine

Middle income: Kazakhstan

Medium size: South Korea

Large size: Japan

Among low-income countries, Ukraine is the best for education, with a 99 percent literacy rate. When it comes to math and science, Kazakh students are earning high marks, too, and not just among middle-income countries; they outperformed the United States and many others in math on the 2007 TIMSS (The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study). South Koreans are also among some of the highest-performing students in science, and they're the highest in reading among the world's wealthy countries. It seems their educational success continues into adulthood, making South Koreans the most likely to have university degrees out of any other students in developed countries. Despite only spending about 3.5 percent of its GDP on education, (the U.S. spends a little more than 5 percent), Japan still ranks best in education among large countries. Nonetheless, its top spot is at risk; after being criticized for its harsh academic atmosphere, Japan turned to a more relaxed curriculum only to see its students' performance slip in the past few years.

Best Quality of Life

Low income: Ukraine

Middle income: Cuba

Medium size: Australia

Large size: Germany

Germany has the highest quality of life among large countries and ranks in the top 10 for quality of life among wealthy states. Two of its cities--Munich (pictured) and Berlin--are often ranked as some of the most livable in the world. With its active citizens and high standard of living, Australia comes in first among medium-size countries. In the category of low-income countries, Ukraine comes out on top and Cuba outdoes its fellow middle-income countries in quality of life. Cuba also ranks No. 3 in education among upper-middle-class countries.

Best Political Environment

Low income: Ghana

Middle income: Poland

Medium size: Australia

Large size: Germany

Though Ghana may not have a stellar economy, its political environment is the best among low-income countries like India, Albania, and Morocco. Poland wins in the middle-income category. Australia is a winner on many fronts, including its democratic freedom and voter participation, making it No. 1 in this category among medium-size nations. And Germany tops the list for large countries with the best political environment.

Albania, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Cuba, and Ghana are real shockers as winners in any category. They aren't exactly hubs for FDI, tourism or immigration destinations. Kazakhstan does have oil/gas so that may explain some of it. There has to better middle/lower income nations in these categories which probably didn't track long-term trends and just latched on to some annual figure.

[luckytxn 2,265]

I am surprised that Texas didn't make the list.

[^_^ 5,021]

Albania, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Cuba, and Ghana are real shockers as winners in any category.

Aren't they?

[Heracles 417]

I am surprised that Texas didn't make the list.

In your case, I don't believe you are joking.

Edited August 18, 2010 by Heracles

[^_^ 5,021]

Contrary to every Texan's personal belief their state is the best, Texas barely makes the top 20 in Q.O.L when compared to American states, let alone the world.

Australia's showing in this survey has been a real eye opener for me. I'm impressed.

[slim 1,534]

Q.O.L. surveys. Very scientific!

[Heracles 417]

Quality of life be damned, at least we have guns.

Go US of A!.

[^_^ 5,021]

Q.O.L. surveys. Very scientific!

There is a published methodology. You can disagree with how they weigh various factors but I don't think you can read the methodology and then claim there isn't one.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

If you're not even going to try Marc, GTFO. They define the term in the article, whether or not you agree with it is immaterial as I doubt you are remotely qualified to dispute it on an academic or relative level.

Let me see them thar credentials Bob! Take off that thar hat so I kin see that thar pointy head of urs................Dab blame it Bob that thar is onenna the pointiest heads I thank i ever seen .........dayum.

[slim 1,534]

There is a published methodology. You can disagree with how they weigh various factors but I don't think you can read the methodology and then claim there isn't one.

Not claiming that at all, just saying it's funny to me how some folks want to say on here, "well, as you can see, country XXXXX is best because this survey said so."

Survey? Really?

[Heracles 417]

Q.O.L. surveys. Very scientific!

I almost want to provide you with a free ticket to travel to AUS. Let you actually see a few cities, then after you come back to Ohio, you can report back. See the lim equivalents in another country. Actually they may be on their forth holiday for the year. If that doesn't open your eyes, then nothing will.

The fact that so many Americans still assume the US offers the highest Q.O.L, is a testament to so few traveling to first world countries. And yes, travels excludes those stationed in foreign countries.

As Pike of all people stated in another thread, the seeds have been sown for China to overtake the US in the next 20 to 30 years. Yet so many here, still want to ignore what makes and is making the rest successful in 2010 and beyond; rather, prefer to continue with the status-quo. In 20 to 30 years, the status-quo will result in over 100,000,000 living in poverty. Might even result in the US being classed as a second world country again.

Not claiming that at all, just saying it's funny to me how some folks want to say on here, "well, as you can see, country XXXXX is best because this survey said so."

Survey? Really?

The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and political science. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of living, which is based primarily on income. Instead, standard indicators of the quality of life include not only wealth and employment, but also the built environment, physical and mental health, education, recreation and leisure time, and social belonging

[alienlovechild 75]

As Pike of all people stated in another thread, the seeds have been sown for China to overtake the US in the next 20 to 30 years. Yet so many here, still want to ignore what makes and is making the rest successful in 2010 and beyond; rather, prefer to continue with the status-quo. In 20 to 30 years, the status-quo will result in over 100,000,000 living in poverty. Might even result in the US being classed as a second world country again.

China still has a huge population problem and most the interior isn't anywhere near the level of Shanghai. China had been the most developed nation for 18 of the last 20 centuries so it shouldn't be that surprising.

What's making who successful? You neglected the important elements to give the same speech I've heard for decades about the coming demise of the U.S. The status-quo will make a third of us slip below the poverty level within 20 or 30 years? Where do you come up with this stuff?

"Second-world" means America will become communist.

Edited August 18, 2010 by alienlovechild

[slim 1,534]

"Second-world" means America will become communist.

Then we'll be more like other first world countries where you're constantly video taped and subject to unwarranted searches, etc. Way to go freedom and progress!

[mawilson 2,133]

If Finland is so great, why do they have the highest suicide rate in Western Europe?