Sweden emerges on top in world's 'good country index'

Sweden, relative to the size of its economy, does more 'good' and less harm than any other country

Sweden has outranked 162 other countries in the 'Good Country Index', a league table based on 35 separate indicators from sources, including the United Nations and the World Bank.

The country has been ranked as the best or “goodest” when it comes to serving the interests of its people while avoiding potential damaging effects to other nations.



It performs well culturally and scores highest for positive lifestyle contributions including prosperity, equality and well-being.

According to the index, Iceland tops the list for its contribution to the protection of environment, whereas UK tops the table when it comes to science and technology.

Sweden, relative to the size of its economy, does more 'good' and less harm than other country. Countries such as Ireland, Kenya, Iceland and Costa Rica have dropped in rankings, partly because global events make a bigger impact on smaller countries.



The report, which weighs up a country’s population and the human race relative to its size, is the brainchild of leading policy adviser Simon Anholt. With this report he aims to encourage countries to collaborate and co-operate more, and compete less.

Anholt says, "A good country is one that successfully contributes to the good of humanity. Of course it must serve the interests of its own people, but never at the expense of other populations or their natural resources: this is the new law of human survival.”



Despite the addition of 38 countries since the first edition of the index, Libya has once again ranked last.

This article originally appeared on The Independent.