And the best country to live in is ...

[Fantine]

Notice that the top countries are typically small. I think that's something which needs to be pointed out. Larger countries are typically harder to govern and have pockets of poverty which lowers the standard of living index. This isn't to say that Norway isn't a great place to live, but to point out that the US is probably lousy not because the average American is worse off than Norwegians (or Swedes etc) but that there are pockets of deep poverty in the US which has yet to be eradicated. Truth to tell, I'd be surprised if any large size countries make it to the top of the list. Ok, Japan is ranked relatively high because they are much more homogeneous and have a smaller number of traditionally oppressed minorities (as compared to the US).

Did it ever occur to you that the reason why pockets of poverty have been eradicated in Norway while they haven't in the US have something to do with things like universal health care, more job security, stronger educational systems, etc.?

There's no reason why the US can't eliminate its pockets of poverty if they use the same methods that are used elsewhere.

 

[Kalevalatar]

And the best country to live in is... Norway. I knew it.

Levels of class difference in society have no relation to quality of life? :o

I share your :o.

Norways GDP per capita, on a purchasing power parity basis divided by population is ($ 59,300) considerably higher than, say, the US GDP per capita ($ 46,900).

The avarage Norwegian's life expectancy at birth is better (79.95) than the avarage United States of American's (78.11)

NORWAY
male: 77.29 years
female: 82.74 years

UNITED STATES
male: 75.65 years
female: 80.69 years
​

Norway knows no illiteracy, whereas 1% of the US populace cannot read and write. Norway's "school life expectancy" (primary to tertiary) is also better.

NORWAY
total: 17 years
male: 17 years
female: 18 years

UNITED STATES
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years
​

Norway offers the best quality life to all Norwegians, not just for the priveleged upper crust.

A couple of decades so, it used to be so that my fellow Finns moved to Sweden in search for that elusive "better life". Nowadays, the Finnish health professionals especially head for Norway.

We all want to become "Norwegians".

 

[wpiman2]

Levels of class difference in society have no relation to quality of life? :o

I wouldn't think so. If I live in a 4000 square foot house and drive 3 cars; and my neighbor lives in a 6000 square foot house and drives 4-- does that somehow make my quality of life any less?

I may feel poorer because I see more affluence around me but it doesn't necessarily make it so.

The UN is pushing for a one world socialist government so it isn't surprising that they stack the deck with this statistic.

 

[interpreter]

The US is #1 in my book. The UN is rubbish.

 

[MrJim]

And the best country to live in is... Norway. I knew it.



I share your :o.

Norways GDP per capita, on a purchasing power parity basis divided by population is ($ 59,300) considerably higher than, say, the US GDP per capita ($ 46,900).

The avarage Norwegian's life expectancy at birth is better (79.95) than the avarage United States of American's (78.11)

NORWAY
male: 77.29 years
female: 82.74 years

UNITED STATES
male: 75.65 years
female: 80.69 years
​

Norway knows no illiteracy, whereas 1% of the US populace cannot read and write. Norway's "school life expectancy" (primary to tertiary) is also better.

NORWAY
total: 17 years
male: 17 years
female: 18 years

UNITED STATES
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years
​

Norway offers the best quality life to all Norwegians, not just for the priveleged upper crust.

A couple of decades so, it used to be so that my fellow Finns moved to Sweden in search for that elusive "better life". Nowadays, the Finnish health professionals especially head for Norway.

We all want to become "Norwegians".

You forgot to mention the extra-pretty Norwegian ladies

 

[eldermike]

I think the UN should be moved to the best pace on earth.

 

[exotic walrus]

I wouldn't think so. If I live in a 4000 square foot house and drive 3 cars; and my neighbor lives in a 6000 square foot house and drives 4-- does that somehow make my quality of life any less?

I may feel poorer because I see more affluence around me but it doesn't necessarily make it so.

The UN is pushing for a one world socialist government so it isn't surprising that they stack the deck with this statistic.

The US is #1 in my book. The UN is rubbish.

The US educational system in a nutshell?

 

[azmurath]

EVEN IF the UN was pushing for a one world socialist government, there are no solid arguments against socialism.

 

[eldermike]

EVEN IF the UN was pushing for a one world socialist government, there are no solid arguments against socialism.

The US constitution is a solid argument against socialism.

 

[exotic walrus]

The US constitution is a solid argument against socialism.

A document made by rich people at the dawn of a society created for protecting the property rights of said people? A solid argument if you are wealthy and want to retain your privilege I guess.

 

[wpiman2]

A document made by rich people at the dawn of a society created for protecting the property rights of said people? A solid argument if you are wealthy and want to retain your privilege I guess.

Well, it has produced the wealthiest country the world has ever seen.

And said country allows for the poorest to rise to the top.

 

[exotic walrus]

And said country allows for the poorest to rise to the top.

It allows for it but it occurs so remotely it doesn't really matter.

 

[Maren]

Well, it has produced the wealthiest country the world has ever seen.

And said country allows for the poorest to rise to the top.

I don't think the US is the wealthiest country the world has ever seen, I'd love to see that objectively supported. Though I believe it can be equally claimed that it is the biggest debtor nation the world has ever seen.

 

[peadar1987]

Depends how you define wealth. Many, many countries have a higher net income per capita than the US.

And many countries also make it much easier for people to escape the poverty trap and rise to the top. The US is not perfect, and people laugh at you when you pretend it is.

 

[Yusuf Evans]

Is the surfing as good in Norway as it is in Hawaii or California?

 

[wpiman2]

Depends how you define wealth. Many, many countries have a higher net income per capita than the US.

And many countries also make it much easier for people to escape the poverty trap and rise to the top. The US is not perfect, and people laugh at you when you pretend it is.

Well, we have the midwest and the south; I already said it isn't perfect.

Ex; per capita incomes for Connecticut are $63,160; higher than Norway.

And it doesn't sit on tons of oil like Norway does.

 

[eldermike]

It allows for it but it occurs so remotely it doesn't really matter.

Not true, it matters even if the numbers are small. In fact it's the most important matter and the reason freedom is so worth it all.

 

[interpreter]

May the US reign for 1000 years.

 

[wpiman2]

It allows for it but it occurs so remotely it doesn't really matter.

Tell that to our president.

 

[ulu]

You forgot to mention the extra-pretty Norwegian ladies

Ain't that the truth!