FX.co ★ Ten countries with the highest quality of life

Iceland

Compared to the last year rating, Iceland fell eight positions down, but it is still in the top ten. The country has high ratings in such areas as employment numbers, ecology, and life satisfaction. It is notable that in Iceland unemployment level was about 7% for a long time, which is 2.6% below average by the OECD standards. Unfortunately, income level and housing rank below the average.

The USA

The USA continues to show a strong performance in such areas as financial well-being, housing, and income, in spite of the fact that this year they lost 4 positions in the rating.

In the OECD research, the USA ranks No. 1 in average household income – $41 071 per year. Work-life balance and civic engagement in the USA are quite low at the moment.

Finland

According to the study, only 4% of people in Finland work overtime, whereas average figure for the OECD countries is 13%.

Finland demonstrates the highest levels of performance in such areas as ecology, education, safely and life satisfaction. Income level and civic engagement in Finland remain quite low.

New Zealand

Due to active participation in solving of environmental problems, New Zealand climbed two positions up in comparison with the last year rating. The country also has strong performance in healthcare and good level of life satisfaction. Income level and work-life balance are still quite low.

Sweden

Sweden did particularly well in civic engagement. During parliamentary elections voter turnout was 83%. Besides, Sweden shows high performance in healthcare, life satisfaction, safety and ecology. Income level is the weakest spot in Sweden.

Canada

Among other countries in this rating, Canada is notable for affordable housing. In 2000s, Toronto and Vancouver's governments took necessary measures and provided tenants with opportunity to lease additional rooms. As a result, housing became more affordable.

Healthcare and life satisfaction in Canada are quite high. However, income level and civic engagement not as good as the mentioned above categories.

Switzerland

Unemployment level in Switzerland reached 3.1%. It is one of the lowest indicators among developed countries. Switzerland shows the strongest performance in number of jobs, safety, and life satisfaction level. Only civic engagement is still quite low.

Denmark

Compared to the last year rating, Denmark came seven positions up.

Denmark showed particularly good results in work-life balance: on average, employees can have 5 weeks of vacation a year. Full-time employees point out that they can devote 66% of their time to themselves and not work.

Denmark showed a strong performance in such categories as life satisfaction and safety. Unfortunately, housing and income are not very high.

Australia

In 2013 and 2014 Australia ranked No. 1 overall, but in 2015, it lowered to the sixth place. This year Australia almost won back the leading position.

The OECD experts noted a strong spirit of unity. 95% of the country's population confidently declare that they know people they can count on. Moreover, good results were demonstrated in such categories as ecology, healthcare, and life satisfaction. But Australia still lags behind in income and work-life balance.

Norway

Norway is a country with the highest quality of life. Like last year, today it is on the first place due to the fact that most Norway citizens have well-paying jobs and opportunity to get a good education. Income level and civic engagement in the country are quite low.

Interesting fact: during the research, analytics found out that average life expectancy in the country is 82 years.