Countries with Highest Standard of Living

I saw some place about the same thing just expressed differently.
Every poor person in India living and dying in the streets wish he was poor in USA

That does not surprise me, saab. But the claim I was doubting was not that poor people in India would prefer to be poor in America instead. The claim was that this was true of poor people anywhere in the world (and outside of the United States). This claim is much broader, and would imply that poor people in, say, Scandinavia, would also prefer to be poor in the United States. If this could be substantiated with international income statistics, it would surprise me very much.

I tried to find out about being poor in USA and Sweden.
It is not that easy as the famous "basket" with products have different prices in different countries and people live differently what food and living are concerned. This is what I found out but I am not sure if it is 100% correct, but sounds rather correct.
1. USA has more poor living in the streets, hungry and begging than Sweden.
2. Sweden´s poorest people come from Iran, Iraq, Sudan and other non European contries.
3. You have another system with minimum wages and lower taxes than Sweden.
4. Poor people with a low income who moved to Sweden probably would be poorer in Sweden than they are now in USA.
5. Certain social help is available in Sweden and not in USA.

I noticed several people wondering, "Wow, what are Norway, Sweden and Canada doing to be ranked so high ?"

You probably won't like the answer: They are socialist countries (or would be according to the Republican party) . They spend much more gov't funds on heathcare and education than most countries. Based on their tax rates, their people pay handsomely for this "best" status and, having been to those countires and talked to their people, they love it and wouldn't have it any other way. They chuckle at our bitching about higher taxes. See this link to shed light on the highest standard of living (might help explain why the U.S. is 6th and Switzerland isn't even top ten !!):

http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/background/numbers/international.cfm

I noticed several people wondering, "Wow, what are Norway, Sweden and Canada doing to be ranked so high ?" You probably won't like the answer: They are socialist countries (or would be according to the Republican party) They spend much more gov't funds on heathcare and education than most countries. Based on their tax rates, their people pay handsomely for this "best" status and, having been to those countires and talked to their people, they love it and wouldn't have it any other way. They chuckle at our bitching about higher taxes. See this link to shed light on the highest standard of living (might help explain why the U.S. is 6th and Switzerland isn't even top ten !!):

http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/background/numbers/international.cfm

You were surprised the US weren't in the top 5? They're not even in the top 10 mate. Economically developed countries do not neccessarily have higher standards of living. E.g. Out of the top 10 ranks in the Human Development Index '08, only 2 countries (Japan & France) are in the top 10 economically developed countries.

The US is the most economically developed country but the majorities standard of living is terrible, it's so economically powerful globally simply because THEY DON'T GIVE A **** ABOUT THEIR PEOPLE, other countries haver been limited in this way, you americans have been exploited so badly for centuries, viewed as disposable horsepower, not given basic health care, have one of the worse welfare states in the "developed" world, one of the worse education systems in the world, who's government can detain you indefinately for "terrorism", i.e. anyone who challenges the system, citizens who's only perception of the world outside their house, workplace and neibourhood, is what they understand from the TV, music and education. Considering 4 men, own and control over 80% of national media coverage, this perception of reality can easily be manipulated, especially with men like Rupert Murdoch are one of these people, who has intimate ties within the government and other multi-national corporations

You people need to do something for **** sake, the rest of the world looks in awe at how there hasn't been a revolution, at how your 2-puppet self-procliamed "democracy" (an empty word) got away with, and how did Obama get in and Wellstone dies mysteriously in a car crash and McCain instead of Ron Paul? After all those years of Reagan/Clinton/Bush they put a black face on the New World Order and your all happy? He's demanded sacrifice and promised change. What has he changed so far? Homeland security = maintained. Iraq = maintained. Afghanistan = maintained. Billions of dollars given to banks after another massive loan that the citizens offspring must pay off = maintained.The main one NO REVOLUTION = maintained. etc.

Don't know much about the United States, do ya, Bubba? It's clear, though, that you have a political agenda of your own you want to rant about.

By the by, Stray Cat hasn't posted here in more than a year . . . it is unlikely that she will read your screed, which is a good thing.

They crawl right outta the woodwork, don't they?

I've seen the points raised by stupid0-0fucks, and some more, made in certain places. But I don't know. I've never been there. I've only seen the movie.

I don't think a revolution is a possibility. A financial meltdown wouldn't lead to one.

I imagine stupido thinks that dismissing what he said with some offhand insults is a part of the problem. It is a bit complacent. And that kills they say.

Pretty much. But America-bashing is a very popular indoor sport around the world, and it seems that there is an inverse relationship between knowledge of the United States and it's citizens, and the depth of hatred expressed.

What a ridiculous statement. It's no response to criticism of the US to claim it is inspired by hatred. It's exactly the same thing as I pointed to previously. It isn't an answer.

Women do that when they call you male chauvinist pigs if you criticise them irrespective of whether the criticism has validity. So if you don't want to be labelled an MCP you keep quiet. What a trick to pull. And what use is it?

I don't hate the US. Quite the contrary. I think Set is a bit too sensitive. Or is pretending to be.

Stuff like that inevitably leads to a breakdown of communications. Nobody dare say boo to a goose in case the bird gets flustered.

Those who hate you most must do so out of admiration and envy.

Actually all of the countries on that list (except for USA) offer free health care, free education (college and university), 4-6 weeks paid vacations for all from 1st year of work, 6-24 months of paid child leave (when you have a baby), 70-95% of your salary if you have to stay home sick....and more...so USA should not even be on that list since it does NOT offer all that to ALL citizens like the other countries.

It's all so true. You can't be an American. USA is built on few rich people and masses of ignorant, un-educated , minimum-wage "slaves". The people here have no clue - and are kept in the dark, for a reason. They really believe that this is the best country in the world...they believe they have freedom...and enjoy true democracy. What a lie.

Yes the Scandinavian countries have free education. Do you think that the teachers get no salaries and live of fresh air and water? They have to be paid . It comes from taxes just like all other benefits. Someone once figured out that an average Scandinavian pays more to the schoolsystem via taxes than an American who pays it himself. 90% of all college students get some form of scolarship. If what a college student then gives to his college later was calculated in that amount I don´t know.

What norway has that the others don't is OIL.

they are independant as well (not in the EU union)

there is much more to it than just oil and EU.
The Scandinavian countries have a national debt under 0.6%
The PIGS have high national debts. Greece 130%
The Scandinavians pay there taxes, work hard, are honest people and willing to help others.
The PIGS countries to a great extent don´t pay taxes, have a lot of corruption to a great extent work less over a life time.
It is a question of national differences of the people in the north and in the south of Europe.
That makes it so difficult for EU to get united over many questions.

With respect, and since most people here don't know economic statistics, maybe you should also tell them that in 1993 Sweden's budget deficit stood at 14% of GDP - exactly where Greece's stands now - and the country had to pay 12% interest on its bonds - which is more than Greece has to pay now.

To its credit, Sweden brought itself back from the brink of bankruptcy by deciding to change itself from a welfare state (locally known as "Folkhemmet") and managed to make itself competitive again; there's doubt on whether the Greeks can do the same, but at least we shouldn't misrepresent the facts.

Perhaps you need a lesson in assessing wealth. The disposable income in the U.S. after taxes is a lot more than Norway, Sweden and Canada. I think Canadians and most of Europe are shooting from their hip. I am very content to be here. I've been in Europe and Canada and I did not like it. Specially the stinking French!

well stingerss im from england and guess what you are right about it , would have liked to disagree but cant with you