Canada and the World
Current Events with a Canadian Perspective
Last update
19 November 2010
The World’s Best Countries
Each year, International Living magazine crunches a lot of numbers and chooses which country, in the opinion of its editorial staff, is the best in which to live
By measuring such qualities as culture, freedom, cost of living, and several others International Living produces an index that ranks the world’s countries in terms of their livability. The magazine has done this for 30 years.
France Deemed World’s best Country
For the fifth year in a row France comes out at the top of International Living’s
list. 
There’s no denying the country’s stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and
beautiful scenery.
Throw in a benign climate, a strong emphasis on living well, and one of the world’s best health care systems and France clearly becomes a country hard to top.
The staff at International Living tosses journalistic objectivity aside in favour of lyrical prose: “I always wish quality of life indicators could measure a country’s heart and soul. But it’s impossible to enumerate the joy of lingering for hours over dinner and a bottle of red wine in a Parisian brasserie.”
The writer then goes on rather effusively about buttery croissants, strolls beside the Seine, and inexpensive housing in the provinces.
Pity about the 2010 World Cup of Soccer though.
France is not Perfect
There’s no denying the quality of French cuisine, although it has shown signs of slipping a bit in recent years. The 2009 Michelin Guide awarded its highest accolade (three stars) to 11 restaurants in Tokyo and only 10 in Paris. More than a few noses were put out of joint in the French capital.
Then there’s the unsavoury little business of French vineyards passing off garden-
International Living also does allow that dealing with France’s bureaucracy can be a tad frustrating, although clearly not for wine exporters.
Australia and Switzerland almost the Best Countries
The beaches and the weather are the main elements 
that propelled Australia into second
place on the Index.
The magazine also points out that “urban dwellers will find plenty of great culture and excellent food in Sydney and Melbourne, and a cost of living below that of some of the world’s other great cities.”
Again, pity about the World Cup.
Switzerland gets the bronze medal. The editors don’t mention much except the scenery and the cheese. The United States places seventh and Canada ninth.
List of Countries to Avoid
Almost as important as knowing which are the best places for fun and frolicking is finding out where not to go. There are few surprises here for anyone who has read a newspaper or watched a television newscast recently.
The absolute worst country in the world from International Living’s perspective is Somalia. The place is without a central government and is beset by tribal warlords intent on butchering neighbouring tribal warlords. The magazine is silent on the quality of restaurants and cultural activities.
Only slightly less dreadful than Somalia are Yemen, Sudan, Chad, and Afghanistan.
Criteria for Judging Best Countries
International Living (IL) looks at nine topics in selecting its winners and losers. It lists these as: Cost of Living, Culture and Leisure, Economy, Environment, Freedom, Health, Infrastructure, Safety and Risk, and Climate.
IL points out that its list does not necessarily represent the best value for money; its goal is simply to determine places where living is “great.”
Image Credits
Schnuffel
Suburbanbloke
Sources
“French Guilty in Wine Scandal.” The Irish Times, February 17, 2010.
“2010 Quality of Life Index: 194 Countries Ranked and Rated to Reveal the Best Places to Live.” The Staff of International Living,
“Michelin Awards Tokyo most 3-
© Canada and the World, July 2010
All rights reserved
TOP TWENTY
1. France
2. Australia
3. Switzerland
4. Germany
5. New Zealand
6. Luxembourg
7. United States
8. Belgium
9. Canada
10. Italy
11. Netherlands
12. Norway
13. Austria
14. Liechtenstein
15. Malta
16. Denmark
17. Spain
18. Finland
19. Uruguay
20. Hungary
“As usual, the rankings have provoked equal shock and happiness from different quarters
-
Huffington Post, March 2010
BOTTOM TWENTY
194. Somalia
193. Yemen
192. Sudan
191. Chad
190. Afghanistan
189. Sierra Leone
188. Djibouti
187. Eritrea
186. Guinea
185. Angola
184. Congo DR
183. Liberia
182. Cote d’Ivoire
181. Central African Republic
180. Zimbabwe
179. Haiti
178. Pakistan
177. Burundi
176. Equatorial Guinea
175. Burkina Faso