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The 10 countries with the best and worst quality of life

Mountain views on the 5th April 2019 in Laax ski resort in Switzerland. (photo by Sam Mellish / In Pictures via Getty Images)
The Laax ski resort in Switzerland. Photo: Sam Mellish/In Pictures via Getty Images

Norway is considered one of the best countries in the world for its quality of life, according to a new survey.

The 2019 Country Index by the brand consultancy FutureBrand highlights “measures of a great nation” beyond GDP, using survey responses on quality of life, business, culture, values, and tourism to rank countries.

The poll surveyed 2,500 people across the world for their views on the 75 countries with the biggest economies, asking how different countries rated on a wide range of measures.

Nordic countries, widely envied abroad for their social welfare systems, dominated the top of the list, with Sweden, Denmark, and Finland joining Norway in the top 10.

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“Beyond its rugged and stark natural beauty, petroleum exports, and commercial salmon fishing, Norway is probably best known globally for the success of its model of social democracy,” the report said.

READ MORE: Top 20 countries with the best global reputation

Switzerland, famed for its mountains and political neutrality, finished second.

FutureBrand put Mexico at the bottom end of the table for quality of life, followed by the Dominican Republic, India, and Iraq.

Mexico also ranked only 64th out of 75 in its overall reputation on the Country Index, falling nine places since the last index was released in 2014.

The survey asked respondents about their experiences, perceptions and sense of a country’s “purpose,” focusing on culture, business, tourism, quality of life, and values.

The Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon, Prince Sverre Magnus, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Crown Prince Mette Marit Queen Sonja, and King Harald wave from the balcony at the Royal Palace in Oslo, as school children parade to mark the Norwegian Constitutional Day on May 17, 2019. (Photo by Berit ROALD / NTB scanpix / AFP) / Norway OUT        (Photo credit should read BERIT ROALD/AFP/Getty Images)
The Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway. Photo: Berit Roald/AFP/Getty Images

Top 10 countries for quality of life

Here are FutureBrand’s top 10:

1 - Norway
2 - Switzerland
3 - Sweden
4 - Denmark
5 - Finland
6 - Japan
7 - Luxembourg
8 - Canada
9 - Germany
10 - New Zealand

Bottom 10 countries for quality of life

And here are FutureBrand’s bottom 10:

1 - Mexico
2 - Dominican Republic
3 - India
4 - Iraq
5 - Pakistan
6 - Vietnam
7 - Kenya
8 - Ukraine
9 - Morocco
10 - Puerto Rico