The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recently released its Better Life Index for 2013. The index looks at 11 categories of life that make up a country’s well-being, including health, environment, education, civic engagement, work-life balance and life satisfaction.
10) United Kingdom
People walk through the More London office space against the backdrop of the Tower Bridge in London. Eighty-five percent of Britons say they have “more positive experiences” than negative ones on an average day, according to the OECD. That’s more than the OECD average of 80 percent. Population: 62.2 million. Average disposable net income: $26,904.
9) Iceland
Eighty-seven percent of Icelanders say they are content with their lives. Seventy-nine percent of the country’s 15- to 64-year-old population is employed, which is higher than in the United Kingdom, where 70 percent have a job. Population: 300,000. Average disposable net income: Less than $23,047.
8) Netherlands
Eighty-six percent of the Dutch say they have “more positive experiences” than negative ones on an average day, according to the OECD. The Dutch value having a strong community and a healthy work-life balance. They work 1,379 hours a year, which is about 400 hours less than the OECD average. Population: 16.7 million. Average disposable net income: $25,493.
7) Denmark
Residents celebrate the 40th anniversary of the neighborhood Christiania in Copenhagen in 2011. Eighty-nine percent of people living in Denmark say they are content with their lives. The Danes also enjoy a good work-life balance. More than 73 percent of 15- to 64-year-olds have a job, and they “work 1,552 hours a year,” the OECD says. The OECD average is 1,776 hours. Population: 5.6 million. Average disposable net income: $24,682.
6) United States
A lot of people think Kim Kardashian is what is wrong with America. Nonetheless, Americans’ satisfaction with their lives is also higher than the OECD average. Eighty-three percent say they are content with their lives. The United States ranked high in areas such as income and health. Population: 311.6 million. Average disposable net income: $38,001.
5) Switzerland
Eighty-two percent of the Swiss say they are content with their lives. Switzerland ranks high in areas such as income, community and health. The life expectancy in the country is 83 years, which is four years more than in the United States. Population: 7.9 million. Average disposable net income: $30,060.
4) Norway
Eighty-six percent of Norwegians say they are content with their lives. Ninety-six percent say they are satisfied with their water quality. Norwegians also enjoy a good work-life balance, with the typical worker clocking in 1,426 hours a year. Population: 4.9 million. Average disposable net income: $31,459.
3) Canada
Eighty-two percent of Canadians say they have “more positive experiences” than negative ones on an average day, according to the OECD. Canada ranks high in health, with the life expectancy at 81 years. Population: 34.9 million. Average disposable net income: $28,194.
2) Sweden
Eighty-five percent of Swedes are content with their lives. Sweden ranked high in categories such as education, environment, civic engagement and work-life balance. Population: 9.5 million. Average disposable net income: $26,242.
1) Australia
Coming in No. 1 for a second year in a row is the land down under. Eighty-four percent of Aussies are content with their lives. Australia ranked high in categories such as civic engagement, health and work-life balance. Population: 22.6 million. Average disposable net income: $28,884.
This list courtesy Washingpot Post
