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10 most prosperous countries in the world

Last updated on: November 27, 2012 10:10 IST

Image: Tourists stroll along Barcelona's harbour.
Photographs: Gustau Nacarino/Reuters

There are many countries that have immense wealth, but not all score high when it comes to prosperity, too.

Prosperity extends beyond just material wealth. It includes factors such as social capital, effective governance, human rights and liberties, health, opportunity, security, and overall quality of life.

Let's take a look at 10 most prosperous countries in the world, according to Legatum Prosperity Index.

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Image: People sunbathe in front of the Oslo Opera House, the home of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, in Oslo.
Photographs: Cathal McNaughton/Reuters

Norway

Economy: 2

Entrepreneurship and opportunity: 4

Governance: 13

Education: 6

Health: 4

Global rank: 1

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Image: Boats are seen anchored at the 17th century Nyhavn district, home to many shops and restaurants in Copenhagen.
Photographs: Bob Strong/Reuters

Denmark

Economy: 19

Entrepreneurship and opportunity: 1

Governance: 3

Education: 16

Health: 16

Global rank: 2

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Denmark

Image: Women smell cherry blossom in the Kungstradgarden park in Stockholm.
Photographs: Scanpix/Reuters

Sweden

Economy: 5

Entrepreneurship and opportunity: 2

Governance: 4

Education: 12

Health: 14

Global rank: 3

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Image: Rowers train at dawn on the Yarra River in Melbourne.
Photographs: Toby Melville/Reuters

Australia

Economy: 10

Entrepreneurship and opportunity: 8

Governance: 8

Education: 2

Health: 17

Global rank: 4

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Australia

Image: People cross a street after rainfall in central Auckland.
Photographs: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

New Zealand

Economy: 27

Entrepreneurship and opportunity: 13

Governance: 2

Education: 1

Health: 20

Global rank: 5

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Image: People play volleyball on the front lawn of Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Photographs: Chris Wattie/Reuters

Canada

Economy: 8

Entrepreneurship and opportunity: 16

Governance: 6

Education: 3

Health: 15

Global rank: 6

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Image: Tourists take part in the reindeer safari at Arctic Circle near Rovaniemi.
Photographs: Kacper Pempel/Reuters

Finland

Economy: 16

Entrepreneurship and opportunity: 3

Governance: 5

Education: 8

Health: 12

Global rank: 7

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Finland

Image: Cyclists visit a Dutch tulip field in Noordwijk.
Photographs: Michael Kooren/Reuters

The Netherlands

Economy: 14

Entrepreneurship and opportunity: 10

Governance: 11

Education: 11

Health: 7

Global rank: 8

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Image: People walk on Zurich's main shopping street Bahnhofstrasse.
Photographs: Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters

Switzerland

Economy: 1

Entrepreneurship and opportunity: 7

Governance: 1

Education: 32

Health: 3

Global rank: 9

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Image: A cyclist rides past the Coffee To Get Her restaurant near Dublin city centre, which becomes a bar and club in the evenings.
Photographs: Cathal McNaughton/Reuters

Ireland

Economy: 25

Entrepreneurship and opportunity: 14

Governance: 14

Education: 14

Health: 11

Global rank: 10

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Ireland