Sweden consistently ranks very high in quality of life, often in the top 10 globally, frequently appearing at #2 or #3 in major reports like U.S. News & World Report and the Legatum Prosperity Index, praised for its robust economy, social justice, gender equality, education, and low corruption. Specific rankings vary by index, but it's recognized for excellent social purpose, sustainable living, and being a great place to raise families, with some rankings placing it even #1 for quality of life.
Sweden comes out on top of the pack as having the best passport in our Quality of Life Index. This is followed by Finland (2nd), Denmark (3rd), Canada (4th), Germany (5th), Netherlands (6th), New Zealand (7th), United Kingdom (8th), Spain (9th), and Austria (10th).
Sweden keeps stress low for its residents by providing free high-quality health care and education. And you can feel secure in knowing that salaries are regulated and there is a high level of income equality. Plus, the job market is good, it is safe, family-friendly, and the government is stable.
The 'Quality of Life' ranking of US News offers the following top 10 countries for quality of life:
While Sweden is free from large-scale insurgencies, rising gang violence has emerged as an ongoing and growing concern. The number of deadly shootings and arson and bomb attacks has surged in many Swedish cities in recent years: according to 2021 UN data, Sweden had one of the highest gun death rates in Europe.
South Sudan is widely considered the poorest country in the world in 2025-2026, consistently ranking first due to extremely low GDP per capita and a high percentage (over 80%) of its population living in extreme poverty, driven by prolonged civil conflict, displacement, and disruption of its agricultural economy. Other nations frequently cited as among the poorest include Burundi, the Central African Republic, and Yemen, also suffering from conflict and instability.
Australia has a high standard of living supported by an educated workforce and a high level of innovation. The quality of education, healthcare, transport, infrastructure and government services in Australia are all above international averages.
🇨🇦 Canada ranked #1 most loved country in the world 🌍✨ Out of 48,000+ global respondents, Canada topped the international reputation list with a score of 78.1.
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Con- The weather is not always the best
Whilst there are some moments of sunshine and warmth in Sweden, this does not happen regularly, which means that if you are looking to live in a year-round hotspot, this is not the place for you. Sweden's winters can be dark and rainy, which is not for everyone.
Sweden's "five-year rule" generally refers to the standard time needed for non-EU/EEA citizens to qualify for a permanent residence permit or long-term resident status (granting EU mobility rights) after living in Sweden with a valid permit, or for applying for citizenship, though stricter rules (8 years, tests) are proposed for June 2026. It signifies a milestone for integration, offering increased rights and pathways to citizenship or further EU movement, but requires meeting financial, conduct, and continuous residence criteria.
International rankings of Sweden
Is it expensive to live in Sweden? Every day expenses fluctuate depending on where you live, but overall the average cost of living in Sweden is high. The bulk of this high cost is due to rent prices, which climb by about 1% each year.
Can You Survive in Sweden With English? You can likely visit, study, work, and live in Sweden and get by just fine with English only, as long as your job or studies do not require Swedish proficiency.
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Yes, $100k is generally considered a strong salary in Australia, placing you above the average (which hovers around $90k-$108k for full-time, but median is lower) and allowing for a comfortable life, though its impact depends heavily on location (major city vs. regional) and personal expenses like housing and dependents, as high living costs in cities like Sydney can stretch this income further than in regional areas.
Not only did Canberra top the global list, but it also ranked as the highest Australian city across four of the six core quality-of-life indicators: income per person, income equality, housing expenditure and life expectancy. Discover more about what makes Canberra stand out.
But despite the economic uptick of recent years, Tasmania is still the poorest Australian state.
The richest country by GDP (PPP) per capita is often cited as Singapore, followed closely by Luxembourg, depending on the specific report and year, with Singapore leading in 2025 estimates with around $156,000-$157,000 per person, while Luxembourg is a strong contender just below that, highlighting small, finance-heavy economies as wealthiest per person.