The 15 Countries With The Highest Quality Of Life
For a good chance at a happy life, head to Australia, which one again topped the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Better Life Index, which looks at the quality of life in member countries.
The (OECD) — an international economic organization — analyzed 34 countries in 11 categories, including income, housing, jobs, community, education, environment, civic engagement, health, life satisfaction, safety, and work-life balance. (You can read the full methodology here.)
We looked at the countries with the highest overall scores, and highlighted a few of the criteria on the following slides.
#15 Ireland
Average household disposable income: $24,104
The Irish have a strong sense of community — 96% of people believe they know someone they could rely on in a time of need (higher than the OECD average of 90%).
They also rate highly in work-life balance, where the average employee works 1,543 hours a year, less than the OECD average of 1,776.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
The Irish have a strong sense of community — 96% of people believe they know someone they could rely on in a time of need (higher than the OECD average of 90%).
They also rate highly in work-life balance, where the average employee works 1,543 hours a year, less than the OECD average of 1,776.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
#14 Luxembourg
Average household disposable income: $23,047
Luxembourg rates well in both health and environment, with an average life expectancy of 81 years and a low level of atmospheric PM10 — tiny air pollutant particles small enough to enter and cause damage to the lungs.
Citizens also have a high participation rate in the political process, with 91% of the population turning out for recent elections.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
Luxembourg rates well in both health and environment, with an average life expectancy of 81 years and a low level of atmospheric PM10 — tiny air pollutant particles small enough to enter and cause damage to the lungs.
Citizens also have a high participation rate in the political process, with 91% of the population turning out for recent elections.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
#13 Austria
Average household disposable income: $28,852
Austria has a high rate for education. 82% of Austrian adults ages 25-64 have earned the equivalent of a high school degree.
Austrians also have a strong sense of community, with 94% of the population reporting they know someone they could rely on in a time of need.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
Austria has a high rate for education. 82% of Austrian adults ages 25-64 have earned the equivalent of a high school degree.
Austrians also have a strong sense of community, with 94% of the population reporting they know someone they could rely on in a time of need.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
#12 Finland
Average household disposable income: $25,739
Finland performed extremely well on the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment — the average student scored 543 in reading literacy, math, and science, whereas the average OECD score was 497.
They also have a high level of life satisfaction with 82% of the population saying they have more positive experiences than negative ones in an average day.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
Finland performed extremely well on the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment — the average student scored 543 in reading literacy, math, and science, whereas the average OECD score was 497.
They also have a high level of life satisfaction with 82% of the population saying they have more positive experiences than negative ones in an average day.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
#11 New Zealand
Average household disposable income: $21,892
New Zealand has one of the best rates of renewable energy of any OECD country with 36.47%.
Students also scored 524 in reading literacy, math, and science on the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment — higher than the average of 497.
And New Zealand girls outperformed boys by 15 points, higher than the average OECD gap of 9 points.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
New Zealand has one of the best rates of renewable energy of any OECD country with 36.47%.
Students also scored 524 in reading literacy, math, and science on the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment — higher than the average of 497.
And New Zealand girls outperformed boys by 15 points, higher than the average OECD gap of 9 points.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
#10 United Kingdom
AP/RICHARD LEWIS
85% of the English population say they have more positive experiences in an average day than negative ones.
They also have a high life expectancy of 81 years, and 97% of the people say they are satisfied with the quality of their water.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
#9 Iceland
Average household disposable income: $23,047
Iceland has high levels of civic participation — 98% of people believe they know someone they could rely on in a time of need.
97% of the Iceland population are also extremely satisfied with their water quality, and Iceland has less air pollutant particles per cubic meter than the OECD average.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
Iceland has high levels of civic participation — 98% of people believe they know someone they could rely on in a time of need.
97% of the Iceland population are also extremely satisfied with their water quality, and Iceland has less air pollutant particles per cubic meter than the OECD average.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
#8 Netherlands
People in the Netherlands only work 1,379 hours a year, significantly less than the OECD average of 1,776 hours.
They also test extremely high on the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment with an average of 519 (the OECD average is 497).
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
#7 Denmark
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Denmark has one of the highest life satisfaction rankings, with 89% of the population reporting they have more positive experiences in an average day than negative ones.
The Danish also know how to balance their work life with their personal life — only 2% of employees say they work very long hours, much lower than the OECD average of 9%.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
#6 United States
Assouline
The U.S. has the highest average household disposable income on the list at $38,000 a year — much higher than the OECD average of $23,000.
It also ranks as one of the best countries for housing conditions, with good basic facilities and general feelings of safety and personal space.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
#5 Switzerland
Average household disposable income: $30,060
86% of adults in Switzerland have earned the equivalent of a high school degree, and students scored 517 on the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment — higher than the average of 497.
The Swiss also have a high life expectancy at 83 years of age, and 95% of the population say they are satisfied with the quality of their water.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
86% of adults in Switzerland have earned the equivalent of a high school degree, and students scored 517 on the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment — higher than the average of 497.
The Swiss also have a high life expectancy at 83 years of age, and 95% of the population say they are satisfied with the quality of their water.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
#4 Norway
Average household disposable income: $31,459
There is a strong sense of community and high levels of safety in Norway, where 93% of people believe that they know someone they could rely on in a time of need.
Norwegians also tend to have a good work-life balance, with only 3% of employees working very long hours, compared to the OECD average of 9%.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
There is a strong sense of community and high levels of safety in Norway, where 93% of people believe that they know someone they could rely on in a time of need.
Norwegians also tend to have a good work-life balance, with only 3% of employees working very long hours, compared to the OECD average of 9%.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
#3 Canada
Average household disposable income: $28,194
Canadians work only 1,702 hours a year — less than the OECD average — with 72% of the population working at a paid job.
There is little difference in voting levels across society too, suggesting there is broad inclusion in Canada’s democratic institutions: Voter turnout for the top 20% of the population is 63% and for the bottom 20% it is 60%, a much smaller difference than the OECD average gap of 12 percentage points.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
Canadians work only 1,702 hours a year — less than the OECD average — with 72% of the population working at a paid job.
There is little difference in voting levels across society too, suggesting there is broad inclusion in Canada’s democratic institutions: Voter turnout for the top 20% of the population is 63% and for the bottom 20% it is 60%, a much smaller difference than the OECD average gap of 12 percentage points.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
#2 Sweden
Average household disposable income: $26,242
Having a good education is extremely important in Sweden, where 87% of adults aged 25-64 have earned the equivalent of a high school degree.
They also ranked highly in all environmental categories. Their level of air pollutant particles is 10 micrograms per cubic meter — considerably lower than the OECD average of 21 micrograms per cubic meter — and 95% of the population is satisfied with their water quality.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
Having a good education is extremely important in Sweden, where 87% of adults aged 25-64 have earned the equivalent of a high school degree.
They also ranked highly in all environmental categories. Their level of air pollutant particles is 10 micrograms per cubic meter — considerably lower than the OECD average of 21 micrograms per cubic meter — and 95% of the population is satisfied with their water quality.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
#1 Australia
Average household disposable income: $28,884
For the second year in a row, Australia is the number one happiest country in the world. And it's not hard to see why —they rank extremely well in health, civic engagement, and housing.
The life expectancy at birth in Australia is 82 years, two years higher than the OECD average.
Australia also has exceptional voter turnout at 93% during recent elections, which is far above the OECD average of 72%.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
For the second year in a row, Australia is the number one happiest country in the world. And it's not hard to see why —they rank extremely well in health, civic engagement, and housing.
The life expectancy at birth in Australia is 82 years, two years higher than the OECD average.
Australia also has exceptional voter turnout at 93% during recent elections, which is far above the OECD average of 72%.
Researchers compared data from 34 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They based the rankings on 11 factors including income, safety, life satisfaction, and health, and then rated each country on a 10-point scale. Income is net-adjusted and in USD.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/top-countries-on-oecd-better-life-index-2013-5?op=1#ixzz2UqWi2W48
Bây giờ mình biết vì sao các bạn (TA, PTH, Thái, Thắng ...) chọn Australia và Canada để sống! Chúc mừng các bạn!
ReplyDeleteThanks LT!
ReplyDeletePTH, Thái , Thắng,...chắc là có sự chọn lựa. TA thì không. Số phận. Có thể nói như vậy. Số phận bắt đầu từ ông anh được học bổng của Úc. Số phận làm anh ấy kẹt lại năm 75, để sau đó lo cho cha mẹ và em út qua đây. TA cảm ơn số phận đã ban phát cho mình những thứ mà khi nhìn xuống, thấy nhiều người không được nhiều cơ hội như mình . Bởi vậy càng cố gắng để không phụ những gì số phận ban cho.
@ LgT, TA,
ReplyDeleteCũng là số phận thôi TA ơi.
Năm 2004 mình có suất đi Pháp lần 2 nhưng bỏ vì bé Nhi ốm nặng nằm BVND, vậy mà bên P vẫn giục mình đi học kỳ 2, sau khi bé Nhi ra viện vài tháng. Nếu lúc đó cuối cùng mình không đi thì đâu có gặp Thắng mà biết cái chương trình "Di tản giáo dục" ni.
Rồi sau đó về nước, nếu không có LgT giúp cho trong 1 step thì có khi cũng không được suông sẻ. Mà chắc giúp bạn xong rồi cũng quên mất rồi pk? Nhưng người được giúp thì không bao giờ quên :)
Đối với bọn mình thì nếu chọn, có khi lại chọn nơi nào có bố mẹ, gia đình và bạn bè. Còn chuyện tự tình dân tộc, quê hương thì chắc cũng ... tặc lưỡi cho qua, chín đấm rồi, còn 1 nhéo nữa xong 1 kiếp người.
Nhưng đối với bọn nhỏ thì đúng là đổi đời. Có điều éo le là tụi nhỏ đâu có cái đời kia đâu mà so sánh để biết là được đổi đời, để biết là mình sung sướng hơn hàng triệu trẻ em VN khác!
PTH mà không đi thì chắc giờ này đang lo mấy bộ hồ sơ để bé An đi thi vào lớp một :)
ReplyDeleteTA ơi, 4 tuổi đi mẫu giáo nhỏ chứ (JK)! Ờ, mà ở VN thì năm nay có thể vào lớp 1 rồi cũng nên!
ReplyDeleteỞ bên này thì cũng xếp hàng như thường, xếp hàng xin daycare subsidy! Có khi waiting list đến cả 1,2 năm mới được!
Ờ quên, năm tới mới đi prep(dự bị của lớp 1) :)Bên đó có prep không hay 6 tuổi vào thẳng lớp 1 ?
ReplyDeleteCòn xếp hàng thì bằng giấy tờ thôi, chứ đâu bằng ...cục gạch ! bây giờ mà xếp bằng cục gạch thì chắc mấy cục gạch bị văng ở nơi nảo nơi nào rồi !
O ben nay:
ReplyDelete- Truoc 4 tuoi: Daycare, chac tuong duong may lop nha tre cua VN (cơm nát, mầm, chồi, lá chi đó)
- 4 tuoi: Junior Kindergarten, chac tuong duong mau giao nhở cua VN
- 5 tuoi; Senior Kindergarten, tuong duong mau giao lon VN.
- 6 tuoi: lop 1.
Nhu vay prep ben Uc tuong duong SK ben nay.
Bat dau di hoc thi mien phi hoan toan nhung Daycare thi phai dong tien
Khoang 80-100 cad/ngay/be.
Nhung low income thi duoc xin subsidy
Prep bên này thuộc primary school, chứ không thuộc hệ thống kindergarten. Bên này cũng vậy , low income thì có subsidy, còn high income thì phải trả full, bằng nửa tiền lương đi làm luôn đó.
ReplyDeleteCái chuyện subsidy thì chỉ nói cho Daycare thôi phải không? Còn Prep thuộc primary thì miễn phí?
DeleteĐúng rồi. Vô prep là thở phào nhẹ nhỏm :) Chỉ đóng cỡ $AUD 200/ year nếu học trường công của chính phủ. Trong khi đó, kinder thì phải đóng $AUD 80-100/day/child như bên H.
DeleteĐóng 200/Y thì không đáng kể.
DeleteBên này thì free nhưng cái năm prep đó còn ở daycare thì xem như cũng huề!!!
Thật ra mình thích là ở chỗ ngay cả daycare dù phải đóng tiền, các bé đóng tiền mức độ khác nhau - do xin được phụ cấp chính phủ tùy thu nhập bố mẹ, tức tùy gia đình giàu nghèo - nhưng chẳng có bé nào, chẳng có bố mẹ nào biết những bé kia, những bố mẹ kia đóng bao nhiêu cả, ngay cả các cô nuôi dạy trẻ cũng không hề biết, do nhà trường không phải là nơi thu tiền.
Ở VN thì rất khổ, ngay từ mầm non là đã phân biệt giàu nghèo rồi. Rồi mấy cái chuyện trường điểm, sổ vàng, sổ bạc ... đã không mang lại sự bình đẵng trong giáo dục cho trẻ con, 1 trong các yếu tố hàng đầu của 1 nền giáo dục tốt, mà còn vô tình dạy cho trẻ con ý thức giàu nghèo hơn thua vật chất...