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Finland the World's Most Prosperous nation?
Finland tops global prosperity index
Finland is the world’s most prosperous nation, not only in monetary matters, but in the quality of its democracy and governance, according to the latest Prosperity Index, to be launched by Legatum, the London-based think-tank, this week.
Finland took first prize – up from third last year – and is followed by Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Zimbabwe ranks last [big surprise there -- Ex.], just ahead of Sudan and Yemen.
Legatum says it is trying to encourage the consideration of factors such as health, freedom, security and political governance as keys to prosperity, rather than material wealth alone.
Its report follows a proclamation in September by a commission created by Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, which said a country’s gross domestic product is an insufficient measure of well-being.
“The Sarkozy commission has helped advance the debate,” said Dr William Inboden, senior vice-president at Legatum. “We need broader measurements of what is working and what isn’t.”
The Prosperity Index found a separation between growing prosperity in India and Brazil compared with the progress measured in fellow “Brics” China and Russia – both of which lag on issues of governance and political freedom.
“We think there may be some warning signs for Russia and China versus some more positive indicators for Brazil and India,” said Dr Inboden.
“We see a real divide. The rule of law, transparency and accountability are important for sustainable growth.”
The results lend legitimacy to the adage that “money can’t buy happiness”. In the world’s poorest countries, money has a far greater effect on satisfaction than in the wealthier countries.
Link.
Then why is that I don't feel particularly prosperous?
Finns get paid (relatively) low salaries, yet taxes and prices here are sky-high. People considered "rich" here would be upper middle-class in, say Germany or the US. A liter of gasoline costs as much here as a gallon in the US.
When the €uro was introduced, many people feared it would cause food prices to go through the roof (although politicians of course dismiissed such feas). Well, as Jukka Hankamäki aptly pointed out, a quick visit to a supermarket will prove that those fears were indeed groundless: the prices are still the same, only the currency is different.
[1€ = six former Finnish Marks]
As for money noy buying happiness, that's certainly true. However what it does buy is the absence of a lot of unhappiness.
As for all the other factors such as safety, security, democracy, blah blah blah, that'll soon be history since the current government's top priority (it almost seems like their only priority) is drowning the country in as many African and Middle Eastern immigrants as possible.
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Originally Posted by Exordium
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