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The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite
statistic used to rank countries according to their development levels
from “very high” to “low.” Countries are placed based on life
expectancy, education, standard of living, child welfare, health care,
economic welfare, and population happiness. Formulas are used to factor
all the variables and determine the scores of countries. Critics have
cited the HDI as inaccurate or vague, but coming up with top ten highly
developed countries list on my own opinion would have been very
subjective and probably badly ranked. Thus, I have simply listed the
first ten countries on the HDI and displayed their scores, while
providing explanations. Enjoy.
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10. Sweden
The socialist and largely liberal European country of Sweden (officially
the Kingdom of Sweden) is led by Prime Minister Fredrick Reinfeldt and
is about the size of the US state of California (or Spain if unfamiliar
with the CA) and has an approximate population of 9.3 million with the
capital and largest city being Stockholm. The Swedish people are rated
as one of the happiest in the world and have high marks in income
($35,876 GDP per capita, and a regular GDP of $485 billion), life
expectancy (80.9 years), and education. In addition, the country has
very low unemployment and poverty rates, has equal and free access to
health care, and has been one of the most active supporters of
environmental sustainability today and pushes for other countries to “Go
green.” Sweden also serves as a major tourist destination for millions
of international travelers, as the country has a long and rich history.
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9. Germany
The Federal Republic of Germany, or Germany, has the largest economy in
the European Union, and one of the largest populations at 82.2 million,
as well as its bustling capital and economic center of Berlin.
Chancellor Angela Merkel is the head of a government with a people of
very high education standards, with a nearly 100% attendance rate and
99% literacy rate. Germany thrives in industry and manufacturing and is
a major exporter of electrical and engineering products, such as cars
(Volkswagen anyone?), and are renowned globally for their skilled work
force. The GDP is $3.5 trillion and GDP per capita is $40,631, and
poverty rates are low, although the unemployment rate is about 7%.
Germany also, like Sweden, is a prime tourist destination for its
historic beauty, and the wonderful people (aside from Adolf and the
Nazis back in the 1930-40s) have a life expectancy of 79.4 years.
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8. Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is one of the smallest and least
populated countries in the world, with a landmass of just 160 square
kilometers (62 sq miles, about the size of Washington, US) and a
population of 35,000. Even so, this parliamentary democracy manages to
have one of highest GDP per capita’s in the worlds ($141,000) and has
virtually zero debt, poverty, and unemployment rates, while having
prominent literary and education ratings. Liechtenstein has very low
taxes imposed on its citizens and is a center of investment from
countries and the wealthy. If ever feeling the desire to travel to this
rather interesting country, visit the capital of Vaduz, where you can
view the huge Vaduz castle, home to the prince and his family, while
also getting acquainted with the city’s 5,100 inhabitants.
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7. Ireland
The Republic of Ireland has a relatively small population of 4.5
million, is a parliamentary democracy, and its capital is Dublin.
Ireland has a very high literacy rate of 99% and high education
standards, as well as a strong life expectancy of 78.9 years. It also
has a well balanced infrastructure, with a GDP of $203.89 billion and a
GDP per capita rate of $45,497. The country is ranked #7 for its press
freedom, economic freedom, and political freedom it offers to the
public. Ireland was in the process of rapid economic growth and
development when the global recession began in 2008. Ireland than
experienced negative GDP and accumulated massive debt, being rated as
one of the five European “P.I.I.G.S.” (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece,
and Spain) and losing two points on the Human Development Index Scale.
Still, the Taoiseach (or Prime Minister) Enda Kenney is collaborating
with EU leaders (France and Germany) to relieve this problem and
continue developing forward.
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6. Canada
Canada is, geographically, the second largest country next to Russia and
shares the longest international border in the world with the United
States. Canada is governed by a parliamentary democracy and a
constitutional monarchy and keeps it ties with the United Kingdom close,
being one of the few countries with two anthems (“O Canada,” the
national anthem, and “God Save the Queen,” the Royal Anthem) with Queen
Elizabeth II being the Head of State. The country is very economically
advanced with a GDP $1.758 trillion and GDP per capita of $51,147. It
has an intelligent population with high education and literacy rates,
and a large percentage of the population is even bilingual or trilingual
(English and French are the official languages, but Spanish doesn’t
hurt). Canada is known for its free health care system (on top of an
80.7 life expectancy) and poses minimal taxes on the 34.7 million
inhabitants. And of course, it is a great tourist destination, as you
can visit the world-renowned waterfall of Niagara Falls, or the capital
of Ottawa, or maybe even the historical landmarks at the largely
French-rooted city of Quebec.
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5. New Zealand
New Zealand is a small and relatively remote group of islands and was
one of the last islands to be discovered and settled by humans. Thus, it
contains a beautiful landscape and flourishing animal life and
biodiversity that attracts flocks of tourists annually. New Zealand is a
parliamentary constitutional monarchy that also recognizes Queen
Elizabeth II as Head of State and in their national anthem, while John
Key is the Prime Minister. New Zealand has one of the highest living
standards and happiness ratings in the world, and tends to be a strong
advocate for peace and environmental sustainability, banning nuclear
weapons and protecting its diverse wildlife. The country’s GDP is
$157.877 billion dollars, with a GDP per capita of $35,374 for its
population of about 4.3 million. Its education, literacy, and health
standards are all very high with a life expectancy of 80.2 years (keep
on living, Jamie). Of course, New Zealand is a hot spot for travelers
looking for beautiful topography and biodiversity, and while you’re
there you can stop by the wonderful city where Jamie came from:
Wellington (pictured).
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4. United States of America
The United States came a long way from its beginnings in 1776, beating
the British in the American Revolution (with a lot of help from the
French) and declaring its independence, and now, after removing the
Native Americans, fighting a Civil War, dealing with the Great
Depression, and engaging in two World Wars, the US has emerged as the
most powerful country in the world, with a GDP of $15 trillion (the
largest in the world) and a GDP per capita of $48,147. The US is a
representative democracy (republic) and a manufacturing giant and a
major importer and exporter of goods and a trading partner with every
major country. The US is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in
the world (the state I live in, California, has a 50% Asian, Latin
American, and African American population, out of almost 40 million
people.) However, all this aside, the US loses points because, out of a
population of nearly 315 million, there is a 15% poverty rate, 9%
unemployment average (and in some states up to 14%), and international
critics argue that American education standards fall behind the rest of
the world. Also, the US loses points in health because, while life
expectancy is relatively high at 79 years, obesity rates are
skyrocketing, with up to 33% of adults at obese levels, and similar
rates for children. On top of all this, America is spiraling through
massive debt and dragging other countries down through the decrease of
trade caused by the global recession.
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3. Netherlands
Also known as the United Netherlands or Holland, the Netherlands
is a constitutional monarchy, while also being a representative
democracy. The Netherlands has very high educational and literacy
standards, while having low poverty and unemployment rates, and is led
by its Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Throughout its history, the
Netherlands was one of the key founders of the EU, NATO, OECD, AND WTO
and is a called the “world’s legal capital,” hosting five international
court systems. The country’s GDP is $832.160 billion and has a GDP per
capita of $49,950. In May of 2011, the Netherland’s 16.7 million people
were ranked as the happiest in the world, with a stable economy,
guileless government, low taxes, beautiful cities such as the capital of
Amsterdam, and a healthy life expectancy of 79.8 years.
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2. Australia
Officially the Commonwealth of Australia, this island/continent has the
world’s 13th largest economy, with a GDP of $918.978 billion, and the
5th highest per capita of $40,836. Australia is a federal parliamentary
constitutional monarchy with some of the highest rankings in the world
in the categories of quality of life (the people are very happy),
health, education (nearly a 100% literacy rate and extremely high
percentages of enrollment and college graduates), economic freedom, and
finally civil liberties and protection of human rights. The 22.7 million
inhabitants enjoy a country striving for a stable government, content
citizens, peace, and sustainability and protection of wildlife and
biodiversity (of which Australia has a lot of), and a life expectancy of
81.2 years. Of course, Australia is a fantastic place to visit and
experience its rustic wildlife and beautiful cities such as Sydney.
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1. Norway
And #1, crushing the runner up by almost double the rating is Norway, or
the Kingdom of Norway. This country of almost 5 million is a
parliamentary constitutional monarchy with extremely high education
standards and a very low poverty and unemployment rate, with a life
expectancy of 80.2 years. Norway was a pivotal founding member of NATO
but rejected joining the EU, but continues to have good relations with
neighboring European countries. Norway is also a founding member and now
huge donator to the United Nations as well as helping found the Council
of Europe, and is an active member of WTO and OECD. Norway has one of
the largest reserves of petroleum, natural gas, minerals, lumber,
seafood, freshwater, and hydro-power in the world and is a major
exporter of oil. Norway is internationally recognized for its universal
health care, advanced schooling systems, and a distinguished social
security system. For all these reasons, the Kingdom of Norway ranks
number one on the United Nation’s Human Development Index.
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