The quality of life is closely related to people’s livelihood, always a topic that attracts much attention and discussion. The “U.S. News and World Report” recently released the ranking of the top ten countries with the highest quality of life worldwide.
The quality of life ranking is part of the 2024 overall best countries ranking announced by “U.S. News and World Report” on September 10, based on nine indicators related to countries’ quality of life: affordability, favorable job market, economic stability, suitable for living, income equality, political stability, excellent public education system, comprehensive public health system, etc.
In order to rank 89 countries, “U.S. News and World Report”, the global marketing and communication services company WPP, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania conducted a survey of nearly 17,000 people globally from March 22 to May 23, 2024.
According to the survey, Denmark ranks at the top of the list of countries with the best quality of life, rising from fourth place in 2023 to first place this year.
Despite having one of the highest tax rates in the world — up to half of their income — most healthcare in Denmark is free, there are subsidies for childcare, university education is tuition-free, and there are scholarships available, as well as substantial pensions and caregiving assistance for retirees.
One notably absent country in the top ten is the United States, which ranks 22nd among countries with the best quality of life. However, in “U.S. News” 2024 overall best countries ranking, its position is indeed the highest ever, ranking third.
“U.S. News and World Report” journalist Elliot Davis told CNBC Make It that the U.S. ranks poorly in affordability in the quality of life assessment, coming in at 57th place.
“In terms of a favorable job market, they perform quite well, ranking 13th,” Davis said.
According to the July 2024 InterNations Expatriate Satisfaction Survey, Denmark ranks first in expatriates’ satisfaction with aspects such as work, job opportunities, and work-life balance.
In Denmark, approximately 84% of expatriates are satisfied with their work-life balance, compared to a global average of 60%.
In this year’s World Happiness Report, Denmark was rated the second happiest country globally. According to the country’s official website, Denmark’s high ranking is partially attributed to its level of equality and sense of responsibility towards social welfare, both closely related to happiness.
Sweden’s quality of life this year dropped from first place to second globally.
Similar to Denmark, Sweden offers free healthcare and university education to residents. Sweden also provides unique parental leave policies, allowing parents 480 days of paid leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
According to the CIA World Factbook, Switzerland has a low unemployment rate, a skilled labor force, and is one of the countries with the highest GDP per capita in the world.
In “U.S. News and World Report” 2024 overall best countries ranking, Switzerland holds the first position, maintaining the top spot for the third consecutive year.
Norway, along with Denmark and Sweden, belongs to the Northern European cultural area known as Scandinavia.
Norway is a high-income country with a vibrant private sector and a comprehensive safety net. The discovery of oil and gas along its coast in the 1960s has driven the country’s economic development, making Norway one of the world’s leading oil-exporting nations.
Canada has a very good job market, economic stability, and is very suitable for living. Canadians take pride in encouraging all citizens to respect their own culture.
Canada is a high-tech industrial society with a high standard of living. Trade agreements in the 1980s and 1990s greatly enhanced trade with the United States, making the two countries each other’s largest trading partners. While the service industry is Canada’s largest economic driver, the country is also a significant exporter of energy, food, and minerals.
Finland is internationally recognized for its education system, civil rights, press freedom, and quality of life. It was also the first country to legalize universal suffrage, the right to vote, and to stand for public office.
As the country with the largest population in the European Union and one of the world’s largest economies, Germany also provides certain social service guarantees. Germany is also one of the world’s leading importers and exporters. The service industry, including telecommunications, healthcare, and tourism, makes the largest contribution to the country’s economy, with industry and agriculture also being important economic sectors.
Australia is considered a prosperous market economy with high GDP and per capita income. Its stable economy is driven by the service industry and commodity exports, with a strong job market.
In “U.S. News and World Report” 2024 overall best countries ranking, Australia is ranked fifth. The country has high rates of sports participation, relatively high life expectancies for both men and women. Major cities often score high in global livability surveys.
The Netherlands is not only economically stable and suitable for living, but has long been considered a tolerant society. However, immigration policies are becoming stricter. This Western European affluent nation has the highest concentration of museums in the world. It is the birthplace of great artists like Rembrandt and the birthplace of many inventions such as the microscope, telescope, and thermometer.
New Zealand is highly rated for its family-friendly environment, scoring top marks in this regard. With a high per capita income, education expenditure ranks high globally.
In “U.S. News and World Report” 2024 overall best countries ranking, New Zealand ranks tenth, dropping one spot from the previous year.