Ireland has been named as the second best country in the world on the ‘Good Country Index’.
The Good Country Index is published annually and rates countries on how humane they are and the extent to which they contribute to the greater good of humanity.
It ranks countries using data from various international organisations including the United Nations.
The factors that contribute to a country’s placing in the rankings include their global contribution to Science and Technology, Culture, International Peace and Security, World Order, Planet and Climate, Prosperity and Equality and Health and Wellbeing.
These factors are all weighed up to create the list of countries which are making the most positive impact on the planet.
Finland was named as the world’s most humanitarian country and was joined in the top ten by fellow Scandinavian countries Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
Ireland was placed just outside the top ten at number 11 a couple of years ago but have jumped right up to number two this time around.
Other countries in the top 10 included Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain and Canada, who were the only non-European country to make the list.
The top 20 ‘good countries’ in the world:
- 1. Finland
- 2. Ireland
- 3. Sweden
- 4. Germany
- 5. Denmark
- 6. Switzerland
- 7. Norway
- 8. France
- 9. Spain
- 10. Canada
- 11. Bulgaria
- 12. Belgium
- 13. Netherlands
- 14. Estonia
- 15. United Kingdom
- 16. Luxembourg
- 17. Austria
- 18. New Zealand
- 19. Italy
- 20. Australia
Ireland achieved its high place thanks to top ten finishes in several of the categories. We were named in 4th place for ‘International Peace and Security’, 6th for ‘Prosperity and Equality’, 8th for ‘Health and Wellbeing’ and 9th for ‘Culture’.
For more information visit the Good Country Index website
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Written by Michael Kehoe @michaelcalling