Sweden is best in the world for “national well-being,” according to the Swiss-based World Conservation Union and the Canadian International Development Research Center. The organizations evaluated 180 nations on the basis of wealth, human services, public education, political freedom, peace, conservation, and environmental quality. Sweden’s Nordic neighbors finished second (Finland), third (Norway), and fourth (Iceland), while Austria was fifth. Germany came in 13th and Japan 24th. The United States ranked 27th.
Source: Earth Island Journal (Spring 2002)
