Ireland is the world's best country

Ireland has been named as the best country in the world in the very first ‘Good Country Index’ (GCI), it was announced this week.

The GCI looks at 35 different criteria in seven categories to decide what contribution each country has made to humanity and the planet.

Some of the criteria included contributions to science and technology, equality and prosperity, world order, culture, health and well-being, international peace and security and the planet and climate.

The GCI ranks the countries as to how they perform overall. Ireland excelled the survey, finishing in the top ten in four of the seven categories.

Ireland was number one for ‘Equality and Prosperity’, fourth for ‘World Order’, seventh for ‘Culture’ and ninth for ‘Health and Wellbeing’.

The GCI is the work of British Policy Advisor Simon Anholt. Anholt said the GCI was designed to: “Measure what each country on earth contributes to the common good of humanity, and what it takes away. Using a wide range of data from the UN and other international organisations, we’ve given each country a balance-sheet to show at a glance whether it’s a net creditor to mankind, a burden on the planet, or something in between.”

Egypt won the ‘International Peace and Security’ section with Ireland trailing in 33rd place. The UK finished in 7th place overall, while the US only reached 21st place due to poor scores in ‘International Peace and Security’.

Surprisingly, Ireland was only ranked 20th in the ‘Science and Technology’ category. Irish scientists have made great breakthroughs throughout history including discovering a cure for leprosy.

If the new generation of Irish scientists can emulate the success of their predecessors then Ireland could become immoveable from the number one GCI spot for many years to come.

Ireland is statistically the ‘best country in the world’

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