“How’s life?” asks the headline on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s evaluation of the quality of life among the world’s richest countries. As its survey reveals, that assessment is more than just about income and jobs.
The overall OECD Better Life Index is based on 11 topics the organization deems essential in the areas of material living, such as income and jobs, and quality of life, including education, civic engagement, and safety.
To identify the rich countries with the best and worst life satisfaction, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the OECD Better Life Index. We ranked the 40, mostly wearlthy, nations based specifically on the life satisfaction indicator — that is, people’s evaluation of their life — in the Better Life Index.
The findings of the report indicate life is getting better in most of the countries surveyed. Across OECD countries, life expectancy has risen by more than one year, with the average baby born today expected to live 80 years. The average homicide rate among OECD nations has dropped by a third since 2010, and people say they feel safer at night in their neighborhoods. Fewer households live in overcrowded conditions. And employment and average household incomes have both increased since 2010.
Countries that are traditionally associated with high levels of well-being, such as Nordic countries, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Switzerland, also have the highest life satisfaction, all scoring at least 7.3 out of 10. These countries also do well in health measures, recording some of the longest life expectancies among OECD nations and among the top shares of self-reported good health. (Find out if any of the countries with the best life satisfaction are also among the happiest countries in the world.)
At the opposite end are Turkey, South Africa, and Russia, which scored 5.5 or lower in life satisfaction. Russia and South Africa also report the lowest and second lowest life expectancy at birth, while Turkey has the 11th lowest life expectancy.
While the U.S. has the highest gross annual wage for full-time employees, it ranks only 15th in life satisfaction, scoring 7 out of 10. Though life expectancy at birth in the U.S. ranks 13th lowest, the share of adults self-reporting good health is second highest. Voter turnout is also in the lower half of countries. (Find out if the U.S. is the richest country in the world.)
Click here for the rich countries with the best and worst quality of life
Click here for our detailed methodology
1. Finland
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.9
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 68.0% of adults – #21 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 82.1 years – #17 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 69.0% – #19 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $46,230 – #16 highest
> Population: 5,530,720 – #29 largest
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2. Iceland
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.6
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 77.0% of adults – #9 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 83.2 years – #7 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 81.0% – #8 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $67,488 – #2 highest
> Population: 366,430 – #40 largest
3. Switzerland
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.5
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 81.0% of adults – #6 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 84.0 years – #2 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 45.0% – #40 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $64,824 – #4 highest
> Population: 8,636,900 – #27 largest
4. Netherlands
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.5
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 75.0% of adults – #13 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 82.2 years – #14 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 79.0% – #10 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $58,828 – #5 highest
> Population: 17,441,140 – #18 largest
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5. Denmark
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.5
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 70.0% of adults – #20 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 81.5 years – #23 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 85.0% – #6 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $58,430 – #6 highest
> Population: 5,831,400 – #28 largest
6. Luxembourg
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.4
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 72.0% of adults – #18 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 82.7 years – #13 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 90.0% – #2 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $65,854 – #3 highest
> Population: 632,270 – #39 largest
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7. New Zealand
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.3
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 86.0% of adults – #3 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 82.1 years – #16 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 82.0% – #7 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $45,269 – #18 highest
> Population: 5,084,300 – #33 largest
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8. Sweden
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.3
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 76.0% of adults – #10 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 83.2 years – #6 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 87.0% – #4 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $47,020 – #15 highest
> Population: 10,353,440 – #22 largest
9. Norway
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.3
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 75.0% of adults – #12 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 83.0 years – #9 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 78.0% – #11 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $55,780 – #7 highest
> Population: 5,379,480 – #31 largest
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10. Germany
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.3
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 66.0% of adults – #25 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 81.4 years – #24 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 76.0% – #13 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $53,745 – #11 highest
> Population: 83,240,520 – #7 largest
11. Israel
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.2
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 74.0% of adults – #14 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 82.9 years – #11 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 67.0% – #24 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $39,322 – #21 highest
> Population: 9,216,900 – #25 largest
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12. Austria
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.2
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 71.0% of adults – #19 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 82.0 years – #19 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 76.0% – #14 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $53,132 – #12 highest
> Population: 8,917,200 – #26 largest
13. Australia
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.1
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 85.0% of adults – #4 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 83.0 years – #8 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 92.0% – #1 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $55,206 – #9 highest
> Population: 45,376,760 – #15 largest
14. Chile
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.0
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 89.0% of adults – #1 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 82.1 years – #18 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 68.0% – #22 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $55,342 – #8 highest
> Population: 19,116,210 – #17 largest
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15. United States
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.0
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 88.0% of adults – #2 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 78.9 years – #28 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 65.0% – #27 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $69,392 – #1 highest
> Population: 329,484,120 – #1 largest
16. Ireland
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 7.0
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 84.0% of adults – #5 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 82.8 years – #12 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 63.0% – #30 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $49,474 – #13 highest
> Population: 4,994,720 – #34 largest
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17. Czech Republic
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.9
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 62.0% of adults – #28 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 79.3 years – #27 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 62.0% – #31 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $29,885 – #28 highest
> Population: 10,698,900 – #21 largest
18. Belgium
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.8
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 74.0% of adults – #15 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 82.1 years – #15 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 88.0% – #3 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $54,327 – #10 highest
> Population: 11,556,000 – #19 largest
19. United Kingdom
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.8
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 73.0% of adults – #17 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 81.3 years – #25 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 68.0% – #21 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $47,147 – #14 highest
> Population: 67,215,290 – #9 largest
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20. France
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.7
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 67.0% of adults – #22 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 82.9 years – #10 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 75.0% – #15 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $45,581 – #17 highest
> Population: 67,391,580 – #8 largest
21. Spain
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.5
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 75.0% of adults – #11 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 83.9 years – #3 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 72.0% – #17 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $37,922 – #23 highest
> Population: 47,351,570 – #14 largest
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22. Italy
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.5
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 73.0% of adults – #16 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 83.6 years – #4 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 73.0% – #16 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $37,769 – #24 highest
> Population: 59,554,020 – #10 largest
23. Slovenia
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.5
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 67.0% of adults – #23 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 81.6 years – #22 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 53.0% – #35 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $41,445 – #20 highest
> Population: 2,100,130 – #36 largest
24. Slovak Republic
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.5
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 65.0% of adults – #27 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 77.8 years – #32 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 66.0% – #26 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $23,619 – #34 highest
> Population: 5,458,830 – #30 largest
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25. Estonia
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.5
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 57.0% of adults – #32 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 78.8 years – #29 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 64.0% – #28 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $30,720 – #27 highest
> Population: 1,331,060 – #38 largest
26. Lithuania
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.4
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 46.0% of adults – #35 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 76.4 years – #35 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 57.0% – #33 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $31,811 – #26 highest
> Population: 2,794,700 – #35 largest
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27. Colombia
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.2
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 60.0% of adults – #29 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 80.6 years – #26 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 47.0% – #39 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $26,729 – #32 highest
> Population: 50,882,880 – #13 largest
28. Latvia
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.2
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 47.0% of adults – #34 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 75.5 years – #37 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 55.0% – #34 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $29,876 – #29 highest
> Population: 1,901,550 – #37 largest
29. Brazil
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.1
> Self-reported health “good” or better: Not available
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 75.9 years – #36 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 80.0% – #9 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): Not available
> Population: 212,559,410 – #2 largest
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30. Poland
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.1
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 60.0% of adults – #30 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 78.0 years – #31 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 68.0% – #23 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $32,527 – #25 highest
> Population: 37,950,800 – #16 largest
31. Japan
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.1
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 37.0% of adults – #37 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 84.4 years – #1 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 53.0% – #36 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $38,515 – #22 highest
> Population: 125,836,020 – #5 largest
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32. Mexico
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.0
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 66.0% of adults – #26 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 75.1 years – #38 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 63.0% – #29 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $16,230 – #35 highest
> Population: 128,932,750 – #4 largest
33. Hungary
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 6.0
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 58.0% of adults – #31 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 76.4 years – #34 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 70.0% – #18 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $25,409 – #33 highest
> Population: 9,749,760 – #24 largest
34. Greece
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 5.8
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 79.0% of adults – #8 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 81.7 years – #21 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 58.0% – #32 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $27,207 – #31 highest
> Population: 10,715,550 – #20 largest
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35. Portugal
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 5.8
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 50.0% of adults – #33 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 81.8 years – #20 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 49.0% – #38 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $28,410 – #30 highest
> Population: 10,305,560 – #23 largest
36. Korea
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 5.8
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 34.0% of adults – #38 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 83.3 years – #5 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 77.0% – #12 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): $41,960 – #19 highest
> Population: 51,780,580 – #12 largest
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37. Costa Rica
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 5.7
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 80.0% of adults – #7 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 76.7 years – #33 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 53.0% – #37 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): Not available
> Population: 5,094,110 – #32 largest
38. Russia
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 5.5
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 43.0% of adults – #36 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 73.2 years – #39 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 68.0% – #20 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): Not available
> Population: 144,104,080 – #3 largest
39. South Africa
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 4.9
> Self-reported health “good” or better: Not available
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 64.2 years – #40 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 66.0% – #25 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): Not available
> Population: 59,308,690 – #11 largest
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40. Turkey
> Life satisfaction 0-10: 4.9
> Self-reported health “good” or better: 67.0% of adults – #24 most on list
> Life-expectancy at birth in 2020: 78.6 years – #30 highest
> Best recent voter turnout: 86.0% – #5 highest
> Avg annual wage (full-time): Not available
> Population: 84,339,070 – #6 largest
Methodology
To identify the rich countries with the best and worst life satisfaction, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Better Life Index and ranked countries — 40 mostly wealthy nations — based on the life satisfaction indicator, that is, people’s evaluation of their life in the quality of life index.
The OECD explains that the life satisfaction indicator is a weighted-sum of different response categories based on people’s rates of their current life relative to the best and worst possible lives for them on a scale from 0 to 10, using the Cantril Ladder (known also as the “Self-Anchoring Striving Scale”) Unit of measurement: Mean value (Cantril Ladder).
We also included two health measures from the OECD’s index: self-reported health indicator, which refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 years old and over who reported “good” or better health, and life expectancy at birth. Life expectancy at birth measures how long on average people could expect to live based on the age-specific death rates currently prevailing and refers to people born today. It is computed as a weighted average of life expectancy for men and women.
Voter turnout is defined as the ratio between the number of individuals who cast a ballot during an election (whether this vote is valid or not) to the population registered to vote. As institutional features of voting systems vary significantly across countries and across types of elections, the indicator refers to the elections (parliamentary or presidential) that have attracted the largest number of voters in each country.
Average gross annual earnings of full-time employees, also from the OECD index, refers to the average annual wages per full-time equivalent dependent employee. It considers the employees’ gross remuneration, before any deductions for taxes, contributions to social security, pension, life insurance, union dues, and other obligations. It is expressed in U.S. dollars at 2020 using the purchasing power parity method.
Population data was obtained from the World Bank and is for the most recent year for which data is available.
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