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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
Cars drive over a bridge towards central Melbourn, Australia.

There are some countries that struggle to provide even basic services to its citizens, while there are others that have made amazing progress in all kinds of services.

Let's take a look at some nations that offer best environment for living and working.

Source: socialprogressimperative.org

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A view of Stockholm, Sweden.

Sweden

Social progress index: 64.81 (1st)

Basic human needs: 63.61 (5th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 61.73 (3rd)

Opportunity: 69.09 (2nd)

Overall rank: 1

Sweden, which has the eighth-highest per capita income in the world, is one of the most equal countries in the globe.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A view of Piccadilly Circus in central London, United Kingdom.

United Kingdom

Social progress index: 63.41 (2nd)

Basic human needs: 62.76 (6th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 62.57 (2nd)

Opportunity: 64.91 (5th)

Overall rank: 2

United Kingdom, one of the biggest financial centres in the world, has been ranked second in providing best environment for living and work.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A view of Jet d'Eau (water fountain) and Lake Leman from St-Pierre Cathedrale in Geneva, Switzerland.

Switzerland

Social progress index: 63.28 (3rd)

Basic human needs: 63.83 (4th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 62.58 (1st)

Opportunity: 63.43 (7th)

Overall rank: 3

Switzerland, one of the richest economies in the world, is a magnet for the ultra-rich.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A view of Montreal skyline from Mont-Royal mountain, Canada.

Canada

Social progress index: 62.63 (4th)

Basic human needs: 63.85 (3rd)

Foundations of wellbeing: 55.74 (11th)

Opportunity: 68.3 (4th)

Overall rank: 4

Canada, one of the wealthiest economies in the world, has a well-developed infrastructure.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A view of Frankfurt's skyline, Germany.

Germany

Social progress index: 62.47 (5th)

Basic human needs: 64.76 (2nd)

Foundations of wellbeing: 61.42 (4th)

Opportunity: 61.24 (10th)

Overall rank: 5

Germany, one of the economic powerhouses of the world, is a major exporting nation.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A view from the observation deck of the Empire State Building of midtown Manhattan, Rockefeller Center and Central Park in New York City, United States.

United States

Social progress index: 61.56 (6th)

Basic human needs: 62.26 (7th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 52.49 (16th)

Opportunity: 69.92 (1st)

Overall rank: 6

United States, the biggest economy in the world, is a major tourist destination.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A cargo ship sails under the Sydney Harbour Bridge on its way in to port June, Australia.

Australia

Social progress index: 61.26 (7th)

Basic human needs: 60.67 (10th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 54.44 (15th)

Opportunity: 68.67 (3rd)

Overall rank: 7

Australia, one of the wealthiest nations in the world, is a major exporter of minerals.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
Skyscrapers in Tokyo's Shinjuku district frame Mt Fuji at dusk, Japan.

Japan

Social progress index: 61.01 (8th)

Basic human needs: 66.04 (1st)

Foundations of wellbeing: 59.51 (6th)

Opportunity: 57.49 (15th)

Overall rank: 8

Japan, home to some of the biggest companies in the world, has a well-developed economy.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
An aerial view shows the Notre-Dame Cathedral on the Ile de la Cite and the Seine River in Paris, France.

France

Social progress index: 60.7 (9th)

Basic human needs: 61.04 (9th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 59.97 (5th)

Opportunity: 61.08 (11th)

Overall rank: 9

France, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, is among top 10 nations offering best work and life environment.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A view of Barcelona, Spain.

Spain

Social progress index: 60.43 (10th)

Basic human needs: 58.98 (12th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 57.97 (9th)

Opportunity: 64.34 (6th)

Overall rank: 10

Spain, one of the major European economies, has a well-developed social structure.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
People come out at Gangnam subway station in Seoul, South Korea.

South Korea

Social progress index: 59.86 (11th)

Basic human needs: 62.16 (8th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 58.84 (8th)

Opportunity: 58.57 (12th)

Overall rank: 11

South Korea, one of the major exporters of electronic goods, is a highly developed nation.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A sculpture called 'The cow pigeon' is displayed as part of the Cow Parade art festival in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Costa Rica

Social progress index: 57.36 (12th)

Basic human needs: 54.75 (19th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 54.9 (13th)

Opportunity: 62.43 (8th)

Overall rank: 12

Costa Rica, home to some of the biggest companies in the world, is constantly ranked high in Human Development Index.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A view of capital Warsaw, Poland.

Poland

Social progress index: 56.92 (13th)

Basic human needs: 56.58 (16th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 56.55 (10th)

Opportunity: 57.63 (14th)

Overall rank: 13

Poland, one of the biggest economies in Europe, is a major tourist destination, especially for Europeans.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A man sits with his son while enjoying the view of the Andes Mountains Range at the San Cristobal Hill in Santiago de Chile, Chile.

Chile

Social progress index: 56.6 (14th)

Basic human needs: 56.61 (15th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 54.89 (14th)

Opportunity: 58.31 (13th)

Overall rank: 14

Chile, one of the most stable and prosperous nations in South America, leads in human development, competitiveness and per capita income in Latin America.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
Overview of Buenos Aires' 9 de Julio Avenue with the Obelisk in the background, Argentina.

Argentina

Social progress index: 56.32 (15th)

Basic human needs: 51.84 (24th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 55.7 (12th)

Opportunity: 61.41 (9th)

Overall rank: 15

Argentina, the eighth-largest country in the world, has been ranked "very high" on Human Development Index.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A view of central Tel Aviv, with the Mediterranean Sea in the background, Israel.

Israel

Social progress index: 54.79 (16th)

Basic human needs: 54.19 (20th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 59.16 (7th)

Opportunity: 51.03 (23rd)

Overall rank: 16

Israel, one of the most advanced economies in the world, has a well-developed social infrastructure.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
Worshippers walk around the golden-domed 'Alexander Nevski' cathedral after the Easter mass, in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Bulgaria

Social progress index: 54.08 (17th)

Basic human needs: 58.4 (13th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 51.93 (18th)

Opportunity: 51.9 (20th)

Overall rank: 17

Bulgaria, the 14th-largest country in Europe, is one of the most developed nations in the region.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A view of Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Brazil

Social progress index: 52.27 (18th)

Basic human needs: 48.24 (30th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 51.6 (20th)

Opportunity: 56.95 (16th)

Overall rank: 18

Brazil, one of the fastest growing countries in the world, is a major tourist destination.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
Towers are seen next to a Metro station on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

United Arab Emirates

Social progress index: 50.89 (19th)

Basic human needs: 60.12 (11th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 45.38 (37th)

Opportunity: 47.16 (30th)

Overall rank: 19

United Arab Emirates, which has one of the biggest reserves of oil and gas, is a highly developed economy.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A view of financial district in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey

Social progress index: 50.69 (20th)

Basic human needs: 57.8 (14th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 51.54 (21st)

Opportunity: 42.75 (33rd)

Overall rank: 20

Turkey, one of the fastest growing economies in the world, is a major trading partner of Europe.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A view of illuminated Christmas decorations at Monserrate church in Bogota, Colombia.

Colombia

Social progress index: 50.52 (21st)

Basic human needs: 45.43 (38th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 50.51 (27th)

Opportunity: 55.63 (17th)

Overall rank: 21

Colombia, which has the third-largest economy in South America, is an exporter of coffee, emeralds, textiles and industrial chemicals.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A view of a street in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic

Social progress index: 50.52 (21st)

Basic human needs: 48.2 (31st)

Foundations of wellbeing: 49.8 (28th)

Opportunity: 53.55 (18th)

Overall rank: 22

Dominican Republic, the second-largest Caribbean nation, is a major exporter of sugar and has a booming tourism industry.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A skytrain passes over vehicles on road in Bangkok, Thailand.

Thailand

Social progress index: 50.28 (23rd)

Basic human needs: 54.99 (18th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 46.92 (33rd)

Opportunity: 48.93 (26th)

Overall rank: 23

Thailand, one of the fastest growing economies in the region, is a major exporter of rice and has a booming tourism industry.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
A view of the main plaza in Cuzco, Peru.

Peru

Social progress index: 50 (24th)

Basic human needs: 46.59 (33rd)

Foundations of wellbeing: 51.89 (19th)

Opportunity: 51.53 (22nd)

Overall rank: 24

Peru, which has been rated high on Human Development Index, trades mainly in agriculture, fishing and mining.

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25 countries offering best life and work environment

September 12, 2013 13:25 IST
Ice skaters on a rink in Mexico City's Zocalo Square, Mexico.

Mexico

Social progress index: 49.73 (25th)

Basic human needs: 49.33 (29th)

Foundations of wellbeing: 50.79 (23rd)

Opportunity: 49.08 (25th)

Overall rank: 25

Mexico, the fifth-largest country in the Americas, is projected to become the seventh-largest economy in the globe by 2050.