We live in a global economy, and the way that wealth is distributed around the world means that more and more countries are developing their economies and their infrastructures, offering an increased standard of living for their residents. Let’s take a look at the top 10 most developed countries in the world.
1. Norway
Topping our list of the top 10 most developed countries is Norway. This is perhaps the most highly developed country in the world, depending on the criteria that you use. Norway has a very good average life expectancy, with residents living for 80.3 years on average. Unemployment is incredibly low and the level of education offered to young people is among the best in the world. Norway has a huge amount of access to natural resources, and is a world leader in the food and beverages sector too. If you are looking for a place to move to, Norway is a brilliant choice.
2. Australia
Australia is a country with an incredibly high standard of living. It has a high literacy rate, a high quality of life, good economic freedom, low government corruption and a good rating in terms of civil rights. The country has a stable government, and a high average income. One of the only things that drags Australia down in terms of standard of living is that there are many under-developed remote areas that still lack basic facilities such as broadband. However, Australia’s cities are considered to be great places to live.
3. The United States
The USA is an incredibly powerful economic force. The strength of the global economy depends in part on the health of the economy of the United States. The country has a relatively poor life expectancy compared to other developed countries because of the growing problem of obesity, especially in children and young people, but in spite of this slight mark on its record the country is still considered to be highly developed in other respects. It is full of cultural diversity and is the hub of the world’s car, chemical and food industries. It is also the place to go for high tech companies.
4. Netherlands
Netherlands is another highly developed country in Europe. It boasts good healthcare, high standards of education, low taxes and a lot of powerful industries. The cornerstones of the Dutch economy are shipping, banking, fishing and trade. There are many major companies based in the Netherlands, including Heineken, Unilever and Philips.
5. Germany
Germany has a population of 82 million, and is one of the most highly developed countries in Europe. The country has a high literacy rate and a highly skilled workforce, and the efficiency of German workers is renowned all over the world. Germany also has beautiful architecture and rich biodiversity.
6. New Zealand
New Zealand is best known for its beautiful landscape and rich and varied flora and fauna. The average life expectancy for people who live in New Zealand is 80.9 years, and the country has a thriving tourist industry. New Zealand’s economy depends on exports of things such as gold, timber and kauri gum. The country suffered from a massive depression during 1981 and 1982, but has since recovered to have a stable and thriving economy.
7. Ireland
Compared to other countries on this list, Ireland has a relatively low population. There are just 4.5 million people living in Ireland, and 99 percent of those people are educated. The average life expectancy of someone in Ireland is 79 years, and the country is doing quite well financially, having recovered from a recession several years ago and turned their fortunes around.
8. Sweden
Sweden is a popular tourist destination and is one of the greenest countries in the world. Their economy relies heavily on exports, and they are the home of 20 of the biggest electronics and car companies in the world. They also have widespread access to high speed internet connections, making them a great place for technology industries to move to.
9. Switzerland
Switzerland is perhaps the richest nation in the world in terms of wealth per adult. Geneva and Zurich are rated among the top ten cities with the highest quality of life, and Switzerland also ranks well when it comes to economic freedom. They have a good tourism industry, as well as thriving trade and agriculture industries. They are also a very politically stable country.
10. Japan
Our top 10 most developed countries list begins with Japan. This country has seen its economy grow massively over the last couple of years, thanks to its amazing advancements in technology. Japan is a world leader in robotics, automobiles and machinery, and is also investing heavily in hydro power. They are a nation with a long life expectancy and a low mortality rate.
