Those were the words on the cover of this week’s Newsweek. The actual article was titled “The Best Countries in the World.” Newsweek rated the countries that, if you were born today, would provide you with “the very best opportunity to live a healthy, safe, reasonably prosperous, and upwardly mobile life.”
This was followed by the list of “winners,” and after that lead article was a follow up piece that was subtitled, “Why cold, dark, small, and depressive nations top the rankings.” At first I thought the article was talking about me in winter. Cold (all the time), dark (mood/clothing), small (actually achieved year round), depressive (refer to items 1-3). But what it meant was that the top 10 countries included Finland, Switzerland, Norway, Canada (not small, but certainly cold), Netherlands, Denmark.
The list itself is open to a lot of discussion. Finland is #1. The United States is #11. I’m not sure why Jamaica is #47, while Turkey is #52. Or why Ireland is #17 and Italy #23. I only know that at #100, I might take Burkina Faso off my list for consideration as a good place to relocate. On the other hand, since there are 195 countries in the world (give or take the ones that are always disappearing and the new ones that are always appearing), Burkina Faso might actually be a good bet.
There was also a category comparable to Miss Congeniality, the countries that didn’t come anywhere near the top, but won something else that should make them feel OK but probably doesn’t. India (#78) is the best place to fly a kite. The best place for sex is the Czech Republic (#25). The best place to be surgically enhanced is Brazil (#48).
Oh, one more: The best place to be a rapper is Switzerland (#2!). Take that, Jay-Z.
Life in the Boomer Lane 
sandysays1
August 25, 2010
Loved your post!!! I’d seen reference to the Newsweek piece on TV. Hmmmm, in fact, I heard my human and his wife talking about that article. And laughing. The Geezer’s been in all the “top ten” and a hell of a lot more (80+) including places that don’t even exist today (USSR). He noted that they were arrayed directly proportional to the taxes they extract from those happy souls that live there. They failed to mention Finland has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. He suggested they might want to move that magazine to one of them. It might actually get some circulation there.
Sandy
http://www.sandysays1.wordpress.com
lifeintheboomerlane
August 25, 2010
And I love your comment! Yes, I knew about Finland having such a high suicide rate. I totally forgot to add that to the post! Must be all that security and contentment. Ennui sets in. Tell your owners how lucky they are to have you around.
Hardy
August 25, 2010
ha, they look like amish morons!
Average Girl
August 25, 2010
Wow…what a list! I’d be interested in the “scientific” methods they used with the kite-flying category. I’m picturing a lab coat, clip-board, and a rainbow-colored kite circling the globe~
lifeintheboomerlane
August 25, 2010
LOL! That’s about as scientific as it got for all the categories, I think. Do you think they were wearing lab coats and holding clip boards for the Czech Republic sex win?
Suzie G
August 26, 2010
Can I just point out that Australia made it to number 4 overall… woohoo!! And I must remember that if for any insane reason I suddenly start rapping – to Switzerland I will go 🙂
lifeintheboomerlane
August 26, 2010
I’ve never been to Australia, but, given what I’ve heard, #4 seems totally justified. You guys are lucky it’s so far away. Otherwise, everyone from New Jersey would be headed there (Please, no comments from you New Jerseyites).
notesfromafrica
August 27, 2010
I’m not surprised that all the African countries are near the bottom of the list. From my perspective as a South African, I’d say they got the order of the African countries pretty much right. In terms of quality of life, education levels, social services etc.
lifeintheboomerlane
August 27, 2010
Interesting to hear that. I was actually surprised that South Africa didn’t rank higher.
notesfromafrica
August 27, 2010
I meant the order of the African countries as a group e.g. ranking Botswana (which has been politically more stable) higher than South Africa.
As far as the South African ranking goes: South Africa is quite Westernized, but there are huge social issues still to be addressed – poverty, high unemployment, lack of basic services to many people, lack of social services, high levels of crime. So I think those criteria would put us lower down on the list.
Do I personally think we should be that low down on the list? NO, of course not! I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
lifeintheboomerlane
August 27, 2010
That does clarify it. And the article only gives a broad sweep of the criteria. Most countries are a mixed bag and have at least some degree of the issues you listed.