Canadians among top seven nations for living well, says OECD ranking

OTTAWA – When it comes to measuring the good life, Canada is among the world’s top spots for individual well-being, according to report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

The others in the top category are Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, the U.S. and Norway.

The Paris-based organization does not issue a specific ranking, but OECD officials said the countries in the highest tier scored in the top 20 per cent in all 11 major categories assessed, including income and wealth, employment, health status, housing, education expectancy and attainment, work-life balance and personal security.

Canadian scored at or near the top in terms of having a low long-term unemployment rate, health status, housing, education and skills, social connections, personal security (low crime), and in life satisfaction.

In terms of self-reported life satisfaction, residents of Switzerland profess to be most satisfied with their lot, while those in Hungary the least. Canadians place eighth among the 36 OECD industrialized nations.