Sweden Tops U.S. News and World Report’s Best Countries for Quality of Life
U.S. News and World Report, in collaboration with WPP and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, has released its annual ranking of the best countries in the world based on quality of life. This comprehensive survey, which involved more than 17,000 respondents from around the globe, assessed 87 countries across various metrics to determine the leaders in quality of life.
Sweden Claims the Top Spot
Sweden emerged as the number one country for quality of life in this year’s rankings. The Scandinavian nation impressed across multiple dimensions, making it a standout performer in this global assessment. Sweden’s key strengths include:
Affordability: According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Sweden is roughly 20.9% lower than in the United States. Renting in Sweden is notably more affordable, with costs approximately 57.5% lower than their American counterparts.
Parental Leave Policy: Sweden is renowned for its progressive parental leave policy. New parents in Sweden are entitled to a remarkable 480 days of paid leave upon the birth or adoption of a child. In cases where both parents are involved, each is eligible for 240 days of this benefit.
Safety: Sweden’s reputation for safety contributed significantly to its high quality of life ranking. The country is widely regarded as one of the safest in the world.
Canada and Norway Secure High Rankings
Following closely behind Sweden, Norway claimed the second position in the rankings. Norway’s strong commitment to gender equality and extensive parental leave policies, among other factors, helped propel it to this prominent spot. The country’s parental leave allows parents to share childcare responsibilities for up to 49 weeks at full salary, or 59 weeks with 80% of their salary.
Canada secured the third spot, showcasing its reputation for affordability, access to education, and a robust healthcare system. Canada boasts a life expectancy of 83.99 years, significantly higher than that of its southern neighbor, the United States.
Universal Healthcare Across the Leaders
Both Sweden and Canada, ranking prominently in quality of life, offer universal healthcare coverage. In Sweden, healthcare and college education are notably free, contributing to the country’s stellar quality of life indicators. Sweden also boasts one of the world’s longest life expectancies, with an average age of 82.8 years.
Canada’s healthcare system is funded primarily through tax revenue and offers citizens care that is free at the point of delivery. This accessible and inclusive healthcare model contributes to Canada’s high quality of life ratings.
These rankings underscore the importance of various factors, including affordability, parental leave policies, safety, and healthcare access, in determining the quality of life in different countries. They serve as a valuable resource for individuals and policymakers seeking to understand the strengths and areas for improvement in their respective nations, contributing to a broader global conversation about quality of life.
