denoir 0 Posted November 18, 2004 Ireland is named 'best country' Â [bBC] [b said: Quote[/b] ]Ireland is the best place to live in the world, according to a "quality of life" assessment by Economist magazine. The country's combination of increasing wealth and traditional values gives it the conditions most likely to make its people happy, the survey found. Ireland was followed by Switzerland, Norway and Luxembourg. All but one of the top 10 were European countries. The USA languished in 13th, while Britain was 29th - the lowest of the pre-expansion EU nations. The survey was prepared for the Economist's "World in 2005" publication, with the remit: "Where will be the best place to live in 2005?" Researchers took into account not just income, but other factors considered important to people's satisfaction and well-being. They included health, freedom, unemployment, family life, climate, political stability and security, gender equality and family and community life. The Economist said: "Ireland wins because it successfully combines the most desirable elements of the new, such as low unemployment and political liberties, with the preservation of certain cosy elements of the old, such as stable family and community life." The magazine admits that measuring quality of life is not a straightforward thing to do, and that its findings will have their critics - "except, of course, in Ireland". Breakdown in Britain The Republic has made significant gains from its membership of the EU, earning the soubriquet Celtic Tiger for its economic progress. Commentators say it is widely admired by the EU's newest members, and has become a model for what they hope to achieve. Â Although European nations generally do well in the survey, the continent's major industrial powers of France, Germany and Britain finish 25th, 26th and 29th respectively. The researchers said although the UK achieved high income per head, it had high levels of social and family breakdown. The worst of the 111 countries to live in was considered to be Zimbabwe, "where things have gone from bad to worse under [President] Robert Mugabe". 'Top ten countries' [b said: Quote[/b] ]1 Ireland 2 Switzerland 3 Norway 4 Luxembourg 5 Sweden 6 Australia 7 Iceland 8 Italy 9 Denmark 10 Spain Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ralphwiggum 6 Posted November 18, 2004 (denoir @ Nov. 18 2004,02:08) said: 'Top ten countries' [b said: Quote[/b] ]1 Ireland 2 Switzerland 3 Norway 4 Luxembourg 5 Sweden 6 Australia 7 Iceland 8 Italy 9 Denmark 10 Spain take that Sweden! in all seriousness, let's keep this thread civil. none of those usual flag waving. please keep discussion constructive. otherwise this thread will be locked, and those who can't behave will be dealt with. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akira 0 Posted November 18, 2004 Maybe its time to get back to my roots! Ireland here I come! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
denoir 0 Posted November 18, 2004 (RalphWiggum @ Nov. 18 2004,02:11) said: take that Sweden! Â Â You still don't get it, do you. Norway is Sweden. It's just out on a walk, stretching its legs - like Finland. They'll come back. On a serious note, I'm not surprised. Their economy is in much better shape than ours. Plus they've got oil. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sanctuary 19 Posted November 18, 2004 Hmm, interesting /me must get on a boat /me must leave France and must sails to Ireland /me just have to remember to avoid walking to the north Ah , if those folks were not speaking Irish but were talking french as everybody in the world should ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silent N Deadly 0 Posted November 18, 2004 Bahh, the results are suprizing. Â I wonder how long it took them to research that. I would hate to be in charge of that. Â EDIT: Notice how all the countries are in Europe. What's up with that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
denoir 0 Posted November 18, 2004 (Silent N Deadly @ Nov. 18 2004,02:16) said: EDIT: Notice how all the countries are in Europe. What's up with that? Well, there's Australia in the 6th place. Besides that, the list posted here is just the top ten. The US for instance comes in as 13th. The survey included 111 countries. I tried to find the complete list, but failed. So if somebody with better google-skillz wants to give it a try.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silent N Deadly 0 Posted November 18, 2004 Oops I didn't see Australia. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
llauma 0 Posted November 18, 2004 You could also check out the Human Development Report for 2004 from the UN. Lot's of statistics for those who are interested.. Denoir perhaps? I guess it's less about the economy and more about the people than the ranking done by the Economist Magazine. Human Development Index 2004 (PDF) HDI Rank Top 5: 1. Norway 2. Sweden 3. Australia 4. Canada 5. Netherlands If you want to read the full report (299 pages) download this Human Development Report 2004 (PDF) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pogingwapo 0 Posted November 18, 2004 (Akira @ Nov. 18 2004,02:14) said: Maybe its time to get back to my roots!Ireland here I come! I thought you were Japanese (as the words "Akira" and "Bonsai" suggest) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ozanzac 0 Posted November 18, 2004 Sixth for .au, yeah, that sounds about right. Some political changes and apologies here and there to ease some social tensions could have seen us jump up the rank a few spots, but hey, I'm not complaining...It's summer all year somewhere in this country, and that means bikinis...how many in the top 5 can claim that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akira 0 Posted November 18, 2004 (pogingwapo @ Nov. 18 2004,03:23) said: (Akira @ Nov. 18 2004,02:14) said: Maybe its time to get back to my roots!Ireland here I come! I thought you were Japanese (as the words "Akira" and "Bonsai" suggest) HA! No. I am just a phile of the Japanese culture. My last name is actually Downey. When my ancestors came over they cahnged the name from "O'Downey" (apparently so no one would think we were Irish ) Also our geneological investigations seems to show that about 100+ of my ancestors got shipped off to Australia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bn880 5 Posted November 18, 2004 (Akira @ Nov. 17 2004,23:36) said: Also our geneological investigations seems to show that about 100+ of my ancestors got shipped off to Australia LOL, should'nt that be your dark secret or something? Man, people don't care about secrets anymore! Because no one cares? (wait, that made sense in my head, before I wrote it ;p ) Edit: Anyway, from what I do know, I can't really dispute such a ranking... so, I like these lists, you can gain a lot of insight from them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akira 0 Posted November 18, 2004 (bn880 @ Nov. 18 2004,05:47) said: (Akira @ Nov. 17 2004,23:36) said: Also our geneological investigations seems to show that about 100+ of my ancestors got shipped off to Australia LOL, Â should'nt that be your dark secret or something? Â Man, people don't care about secrets anymore! Â Because no one cares? Â I think it was for stealing sheep... Well I always said I wanted to go visit Ireland to try to find my roots. My dad says "Be careful who's door you knock on." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bn880 5 Posted November 18, 2004 hehehe Mental note; Akira - 188 trust + 80 fun foints. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billabong81 0 Posted November 18, 2004 Spain at 10 is a little iffy. I have been their on vacation twice and since the euro came into effect, most spanish people are pretty pissed about it. The government guaranteed them a 1 peso - 1 euro exchange, but it is actually like 5-7 pesos - 1 euro. Every taxi driver we had this summer hates the euro . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
denoir 0 Posted November 18, 2004 Nonsense. First of all "peso" was not a Spanish currency. It was "peseta". Second, the conversion rate, when they switch to the Euro was 166.386 Spanish peseta for 1 Euro. And the government could have never "guaranteed" them any conversion rate. The rate was set when the peseta was locked against the euro, shortly before the actual introduction at normal market rates. And of course there is no current exchange rate, as the peseta does not exist anymore, I think you need to work on your Spanish a bit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colossus 2 Posted November 18, 2004 (denoir @ Nov. 18 2004,03:08) said: 'Top ten countries' [b said: Quote[/b] ]1 Ireland 2 Switzerland 3 Norway 4 Luxembourg 5 Sweden 6 Australia 7 Iceland 8 Italy 9 Denmark 10 Spain Oh dear, we are losing the grip But wait! (Llauma @ Nov. 18 2004,04:05) said: You could also check out the Human Development Report for 2004 from the UN. Lot's of statistics for those who are interested.. Denoir perhaps? I guess it's less about the economy and more about the people than the ranking done by the Economist Magazine. Human Development Index 2004 (PDF) HDI Rank Top 5: 1. Norway 2. Sweden 3. Australia 4. Canada 5. Netherlands If you want to read the full report (299 pages) download this Human Development Report 2004 (PDF) Hehe This counts more then any other list! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Schweitzer 10 Posted November 18, 2004 pah, I lived in Ireland, I lived in switzerland. Germany rules. what do the brits know? living on a rainy island and eating toast with peanut butter, fries with vinagre, all living in houses looking the same. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theavonlady 2 Posted November 18, 2004 (Albert Schweizer @ Nov. 18 2004,10:41) said: what do the brits know? living on a rainy island and eating toast with peanut butter, fries with vinagre, all living in houses looking the same. /avon hums a few bars of elanor rigby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colossus 2 Posted November 18, 2004 (Albert Schweizer @ Nov. 18 2004,10:41) said: pah, I lived in Ireland, I lived in switzerland. Germany rules.what do the brits know? living on a rainy island and eating toast with peanut butter, fries with vinagre, all living in houses looking the same. Â You forgot fish and chips Can't belive they eat that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoOB 0 Posted November 18, 2004 (Silent N Deadly @ Nov. 18 2004,02:16) said: Bahh, the results are suprizing. You think so? The only thing that really surprised me was Britains low place on the list, but that Ireland got first place didn't really surprise me at all. Theyv'e got a bright future, and a good growing ground for a very stable economy. Wouldn't mind moving there And Swedisn/Norway isn't too uplifiting either, atleast not during Autumn/Winter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Schweitzer 10 Posted November 18, 2004 Seriously, such a bullshit. Why should it be nicer to live in Ireland than to live in Italy....what is .. their... goddamn problem? Â Fucking scientists! Useless results see denoir, this happens if you feed the machines with too much stats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brgnorway 0 Posted November 18, 2004 I am so pleased of course seeing the proof of Norway being the better place to live - compared to Sweden I don't think there's much difference though. As a total Italiophile I wouldn't mind moving to Italy though! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoOB 0 Posted November 18, 2004 (Albert Schweizer @ Nov. 18 2004,10:59) said: Seriously, such a bullshit. Why should it be nicer to live in Ireland than to live in Italy....what is .. their... goddamn problem? Fucking scientists! Well, why would it be nicer to live in Germany than in Congo? Econonomy, crime rates, public service, et cetera all contribute to making the peoples life standards better. Of course, only statistically - I am sure Ireland has alot of problems aswell. Then it's hard putting the finger on what is "good quality of life" but the scientists have done so, apparently. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites