United States Slips To 16th Best Country In The World To Live In

I

imp

Senior Member
Something ought to be done about this! From: http://www.valuewalk.com/2015/08/united-states-slips-to-16th-best-country-in-the-world-to-live-in/


"Just a couple of decades ago, it could be argued based on objective data that the United States was the best country in the world to live in. However, according to a recent study published by the Social Science Research Network, America is not what it used to be. In fact, based on the 2015 Social Progress Index (a measure of 52 social indicators), the U.S. is now just the 16th best country in the world to live in, behind countries such as Iceland, Japan and Finland."

United-States-Ranking-1.jpg
 

IMO BEST does not necessarily have to do with median income. There are WAY too many other things to be considered.

Statistics can swing different ways according to what you're trying to prove.
 
  • Like
Reactions: imp
imp said:
Something ought to be done about this! From: http://www.valuewalk.com/2015/08/united-states-slips-to-16th-best-country-in-the-world-to-live-in/


"Just a couple of decades ago, it could be argued based on objective data that the United States was the best country in the world to live in. However, according to a recent study published by the Social Science Research Network, America is not what it used to be. In fact, based on the 2015 Social Progress Index (a measure of 52 social indicators), the U.S. is now just the 16th best country in the world to live in, behind countries such as Iceland, Japan and Finland."

United-States-Ranking-1.jpg
Click to expand...

How to read this chart. First place being Australia and this is per adult so we are seeing income of $387,306
for this home? In the case of US at $38,786 time 2 for wife also of $77,572? Was this before or after taxes had been taken?

I did read the page suggested but not much to read at all. I guess I am to download the paper to see what they were talking about. Not sure I will do that.

If so, then the amount is low and with our constantly higher prices for foods etc. it is going to be tough for our families to make it.

Without the doubling for the household it is really tough, especially for the single income retirees that don't get raises to follow the constant increases in prices. Maybe I am just reading this all wrong, but without the doubling I did, it is much worse for everyone as well as the retirees.
 

Bob this is wealth, not income. I would assume this is the average value of assets per capita. I agree that it is not just wealth that determines the best country.
I would value health safety and free access to education much more highly. Thankfully Australia is pretty good in all those areas.
 
Falcon said:
IMO BEST does not necessarily have to do with median income. There are WAY too many other things to be considered.

Statistics can swing different ways according to what you're trying to prove.
Click to expand...

I agree. Wealth is not the best measure. I am more inclined to measure access to education and health services above wealth and the systems that are set up to ensure that income does not rule out access to these and other social goods.

Hubby and I own a cottage that is now worth at least $A800,000 but it is the same house we built 50 years ago and it is a simple 3 bedroom brick veneer cottage with one bathroom, one toilet, a living room kitchen, family eating nook and laundry. It is no mansion. This is wealth that we cannot spend or profit from.

The benefits that are most valuable to us are the national superannuation scheme, our private health insurance that is subsidised by the government and our health care (medicare) and pharmaceutical benefits schemes. Add in the $2.50 per day seniors daily transport pass and I reckon Australia would be hard to beat for seniors.

My recent stay in a private hospital cost me just $25 for TV and internet. Everything else, including pharmaceuticals, dressings, pressure stockings etc.. was covered. We have already paid for the surgeon and the anesthetist but will be able to claim about half of it back.

People who can't afford private health insurance and access the same treatments in a public hospital at no charge, but may have to wait longer if it s not an emergency.

This availability for good health care, regardless of income level, is what IMO makes for a happy society.
 
I think you have it exactly right DW. Education and health. Both systems badly broken here. It seems absurd that in one of the worlds most technologically advanced countries, a major problem is the ignorance of a large segment of the population. We don't just tolerate it here, we celebrate it. I envy you.
 
Of course we are falling farther and farther behind other countries.. You can't move all the wealth to the top and expect it to be different.
 
There is a great deal of difference between the Average net worth and the Median net worth in the US see chart

average-net-worth-2014.png
The reason we are near the top for Average net worth and near the bottom for Median net worth is because so much wealth in the US is owned by a tiny percentage of people. That is to say the wealth inequality in the US results in a very large percentage of the population being quite poor by international wealth standards. This is what Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren and HRC have been talking about.
 
WhatInThe said:
...behind Finland??? ...behind Iceland??? Oh that's cold
Click to expand...


Hey, if you move to Reykjavic, Iceland your house will be toasty warm AND the sidewalks will be free of ice because they use geothermal to heat buildings, homes and recently started putting in new heated sidewalks AND that's where they also get most of their electricity. Using geothermal has apparently moved Iceland from being one of the poorest countries to one with a high standard of living.


http://www.c40.org/case_studies/the...ating-system-saves-up-to-4m-tons-co2-annually
 
I'll just stay in the U.S., I'm fluent in the official language and know my way around stuff. Plus, I can't afford to live in some of the top countries listed.
 
You furriners are deceiving yourself. We know what kind of snakes and spiders that you have to worry about...
 
I'm not sure I would put too much stock into all these league tables, and others are right, there are plenty of reasons to prefer living in a certain country than median wealth.
 
Who would want to live in Oz says ralphy.....hmmm Ralphy I think you are not up for the challenge if you are scared of a few sharks snakes and spiders. I will have to call you "CC" again , but this time it is short for "Cowardly Custard"
 
JustQuinn said:
Who would want to live in Oz says ralphy.....hmmm Ralphy I think you are not up for the challenge if you are scared of a few sharks snakes and spiders. I will have to call you "CC" again , but this time it is short for "Cowardly Custard"
Click to expand...

No need to be frightened of a little fish. Look at on we caught recently, I think it was looking for its mother

http://www.news.com.au/technology/s...-near-nsw-border/story-fnjwkt0b-1227480218389
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top