Below is an article from AFP, ranking Osterreich as the 5th best place for good living, worldwide! To all Austrian Pals, enjoy!
Can't beat quality of life in Scandinavia, says world ranking
Thu Sep 20, 11:18 AM ET
Nordic countries take the greatest care of their environment and their people, according to a ranking published on Thursday by the publication Reader's Digest.
Finland comes top of the 141-nation list, followed by Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and then Austria, Switzerland, Ireland and Australia.
At the bottom of the list is Ethiopia, preceded by Niger, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Chad.
The United States comes in 23rd, China 84th and India 104th.
The ranking combines environmental factors, such as air and water quality, respect for biodiversity and greenhouse-gas emissions, as well as social factors, such as gross domestic product, access to education, unemployment rate and life expectancy.
The statistical basis is the UN's Human Development Index and the Environmental Sustainability Index drawn up by Yale and Columbia universities and the World Economic Forum.
European countries -- again, led by Scandinavia -- also top the Reader's Digest assessment of 72 cities for their quality of life. The criteria for this include public transport, parks, air quality, rubbish recycling and the price of electricity.
The winner is Stockholm, followed by Oslo, Munich and Paris.
Asia's mega-cities fare the worst. At the bottom is Beijing, preceded by Shanghai, Mumbai, Guangzhou and Bangkok.
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3 comments:
Hi Everybody!
Interesting post, Idriss, I think Austria should be number 1! I mean who wants to live in Scandanavia, where it is dark most of the year, people pay so much in taxes, and has one of the highest suicide rates in the EU! I mean even Edvard Munch left Norway!
LOL
Austria for me is number 1, the quality of life, culture, health care is just the best!
What other country on this planet, lets one ride the Tram for free simply my showing your ticket to the Opera?
Not here in NY or DC for sure!
best to all
susanvon
Susan, you'll have to expand on the "showing the ticket to the opera bit"...
And yes, I agree with you about good cold Scandinavia! Plus, who would rank Paris 4th best city, I wonder?
I.
Idriss,
What you can do is when you get on the Tram, say Tram #1, you show the conductor your Opera ticket and then you ride for free up to 2 hours after the opera is over.
At least it used to be that way, two years ago, not sure if this has changed.
Austria of all the EU countries, spends the most Euors on cultura, now what does that say about a country?
all the best to everyone!
susanvon
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