Legatum Institute London Research Institute Launches Its Annual ranking of the most prosperous countries in the world. When compiling it, 104 factors were taken into account, both traditional: how rich the country is, gross domestic product per capita and the number of people working full time, and more interesting numbers, such as the number of secure Internet servers the country has, and then how well rested the inhabitants of the country feel (on a daily basis).
Then these factors were reduced to nine sub-indices: the quality of the economy, the business environment, government, education, health, safety and security, personal freedom, social capital, and the environment.
The ranking included 149 countries, and Russia got the 95th line, next to Nepal and Moldova. And here are the top 10 most prosperous countries in the world.
10. Great Britain
Despite Brexit, Britain made a leap in the index of happiness, rising from the fifteenth place it held in 2015, and also entered the top 10 countries in terms of charity.
9. Denmark
Scandinavia has a very high standard of living, and Denmark ranked ninth is actually the least prosperous country in the region.
8. Sweden
A little higher than its neighbor, Denmark, Sweden ranks third in the sub-index of the quality of the economy, as well as fifth in management, but still fell overall in eighth compared to fifth in 2015.
7. The Netherlands
This country has an excellent education system (second place in the corresponding sub-index), as well as a healthy economy (second place in the sub-index of the quality of the economy). But in terms of the environment of the Netherlands take 36th place. The country takes one of the leading places in the ranking of gasoline quality worldwide.
6. Australia
Known for its laid-back lifestyle and good weather, Australia ranked second in the social capital sub-index, helping it rise one place compared to 2015's prosperity rating.
5. Canada
Significantly more prosperous country compared to its northern neighbor, the stronghold of democracy, which took 17th place. Canada ranks third in the sub-index of social capital and the business environment, as well as second in the sub-index of personal freedom of citizens.
4. Switzerland
Quiet, richest and cleanest country Switzerland is famous for its education (first place among other countries from the top 10 most prosperous), as well as excellent medical care. She is third in the health system sub-index.
3. Finland
The most prosperous of the countries in the north of Europe. Finland has the best leadership in the world, according to the Legatum Institute.
2. Norway
For seven consecutive years, Norway ranked first in the list of the most prosperous countries on Earth, but in 2016 she lost this title, losing it to number one in the ranking.
1. New Zealand
Officially the most prosperous state in the world, according to a study by the Legatum Institute, New Zealand ranks first in the subindexes of social capital and the quality of the economy and second in subindexes of the business environment and government. The Good Index Country named New Zealand one of the best countries in the world in 2016.
A trend towards increased global prosperity has been demonstrated in Western Europe, Latin and Central America and in Asian countries, thanks to improved health and education.
However, the picture is not universally positive. The rise of the Islamic State, Al Qaeda, and other terrorist groups since the Arab spring has severely curtailed prosperity in the Middle East.
And the Western world is not immune from problems. American prosperity has stagnated over the past decade. Even in countries that have not been hit hard by the financial crisis (such as Australia), there has been a decline in prosperity over the past decade.