New Zealand rank 4th Most Prosperous Country?!

The 2011 Legatum Prosperity Index is out, New Zealand and Australia up one better than last year's rating to become 3rd and 4th!

What is this index all about?  It is NOT all about how "wealthy" $$$ your country is... or else China will be number one ;)

According to Wikipedia...

The Legatum Prosperity Index is an annual ranking developed by the Legatum Institute of 110 countries, according to a variety of factors including wealth, economic growth, personal well being, and quality of life. Norway topped the list of the 2010 (and 2011) report.

Queen Street, Auckland; New Zealand.

The 2010 Legatum Prosperity Index is based on 89 different variables analysed across 110 nations around the world. Source data includes Gallup World Poll, WTO, World Development Indicators, GDP, World Intellectual Property Organization, UN Human Development Report, World Bank, OECD, World Values Survey. The 89 variables are grouped into 8 sub-indexes which are averaged using equal weights. The 8 sub-indexes are:

• Economy
• Entrepreneurship & Opportunity
• Governance
• Education
• Health
• Safety & Security
• Personal Freedom
• Social Capital

Sky Tower reflection on a skyscraper in Auckland.

For example, Personal Freedom includes freedom of speech and religion, national tolerance for immigrants and ethnic and racial minorities.

The Social Capital sub-index includes the percentage of citizens who volunteer, give to charity, help strangers, and who feel they can rely on family and friends.

Anti racism march in Wellington, New Zealand.

2011 Top 10 Country:

1. Norway   2. Denmark   3. Australia    4. New Zealand    5. Sweden
6. Canada    7. Finland     8. Switzerland    9. Netherlands    10. United States

Father and son, Copenhagen; Denmark.

Where is Malaysia and Singapore placed?

Singapore rank 16 and Malaysia a disappointing 43! China, by the way is 52!