Ireland’s global contributions to science and technology, and thus to humanity and the planet, have helped make it the best good country in the world, the first ever Good Country Index suggests.
The survey ranked 125 countries by combining 35 separate indicators from the United Nations, the World Bank and other international institutions, The Independent reported.
In addition to a country’s global contribution to science and technology, researchers also looked at nations’ global contributions to culture, world order, the planet and climate, prosperity and equality, international peace and security, and the health and well-being of humanity.
Simon Anholt, a policy adviser who designed the survey, told The Independent he hopes the Good Country Index will change the way countries do business by encouraging them to think about the global impact of their actions.
“What the index does aim to do is to start a global discussion about how countries can balance their duty to their own citizens with their responsibility to the wider world, because this is essential for the future of humanity and the health of our planet,” he said.
Barry O’Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland, Ireland’s inward investment promotion agency, said surveys like this one contribute to Ireland’s reputation abroad as a good place to live and do business.
“The survey recognises Ireland’s open trading culture, as well as the level of foreign direct investment that Ireland continues to enjoy,” O’Leary said.
“Other factors that companies take into account when locating are also recognised here, including each country’s ‘freedom of movement’ and our ongoing population growth, which is providing companies with skilled graduates.”
Nine of the top 10 countries on the Good Country Index are in Western Europe, making the region the “most good” part of the world. Following Ireland are Finland, Switzerland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark and Belgium.
Welcome to Ireland image via Shutterstock
