Can't beat quality of life in Scandinavia, says world ranking

[JODO 2]

Can't beat quality of life in Scandinavia, says world ranking

Thu Sep 20,

11:18 AM ET

Nordic countries take the greatest care of their environment and their people, according to a ranking published on Thursday by the publication Reader's Digest.

Finland comes top of the 141-nation list, followed by Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and then Austria, Switzerland, Ireland and Australia.

At the bottom of the list is Ethiopia, preceded by Niger, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Chad.

The United States comes in 23rd, China 84th and India 104th.

The ranking combines environmental factors, such as air and water quality, respect for biodiversity and greenhouse-gas emissions, as well as social factors, such as gross domestic product, access to education, unemployment rate and life expectancy.

The statistical basis is the UN's Human Development Index and the Environmental Sustainability Index drawn up by Yale and Columbia universities and the World Economic Forum.

European countries -- again, led by Scandinavia -- also top the Reader's Digest assessment of 72 cities for their quality of life. The criteria for this include public transport, parks, air quality, rubbish recycling and the price of electricity.

The winner is Stockholm, followed by Oslo, Munich and Paris.

Asia's mega-cities fare the worst. At the bottom is Beijing, preceded by Shanghai, Mumbai, Guangzhou and Bangkok

Can't beat quality of life in Scandinavia, says world ranking

Thu Sep 20, 11:18 AM ET

Nordic countries take the greatest care of their environment and their people, according to a ranking published on Thursday by the publication Reader's Digest.

Finland comes top of the 141-nation list, followed by Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and then Austria, Switzerland, Ireland and Australia.

At the bottom of the list is Ethiopia, preceded by Niger, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Chad.

The United States comes in 23rd, China 84th and India 104th.

The ranking combines environmental factors, such as air and water quality, respect for biodiversity and greenhouse-gas emissions, as well as social factors, such as gross domestic product, access to education, unemployment rate and life expectancy.

The statistical basis is the UN's Human Development Index and the Environmental Sustainability Index drawn up by Yale and Columbia universities and the World Economic Forum.

European countries -- again, led by Scandinavia -- also top the Reader's Digest assessment of 72 cities for their quality of life. The criteria for this include public transport, parks, air quality, rubbish recycling and the price of electricity.

The winner is Stockholm, followed by Oslo, Munich and Paris.

Asia's mega-cities fare the worst. At the bottom is Beijing, preceded by Shanghai, Mumbai, Guangzhou and Bangkok.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070920/lf_af...Xqdy.hFznMDW7oF

[Lyuba 0]

I want to live there!!!!!

Those countries are indeed great. They have a wondeful mix of developed capitalism and wise social policies. That's why people are happy. They have all kinds of opportunities but they also know that if something goes wrong, they are protected.

[Heracles 417]

If only the US could learn a thing or two from the other 22 nations..

[Heracles 417]

I want to live there!!!!!

Those countries are indeed great. They have a wondeful mix of developed capitalism and wise social policies. That's why people are happy. They have all kinds of opportunities but they also know that if something goes wrong, they are protected.

100% agree with that. Controlled and well managed immigration policies are also common amongst those nations. Apart from Australia, all of those nations have a population lower than the number of illegal immigrants in the US.

Edited September 21, 2007 by Boo-Yah!

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

I want to live there!!!!!

Those countries are indeed great. They have a wondeful mix of developed capitalism and wise social policies. That's why people are happy. They have all kinds of opportunities but they also know that if something goes wrong, they are protected.

maybe you should talk to stabu.....

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showuser=31901

[Jenn! 918]

Seems very expensive to live there though.

[Lyuba 0]

Well, it isn't cheap to live in the States either.