Australia the second best place in the world

[glenc]

United Nations names Australia as the second best place in the world to live
"The United Nations has named oil-rich Norway as the country with the best quality of life, followed by Australia and NZ, while Asia has made the biggest strides in recent decades.
The UN's annual A-to-Z of global wealth, poverty, health and education highlighted, however, that it is becoming ever more difficult to break into the rich club of nations.
Norway - with its 81 years of life expectancy and average annual income of $US59,000 ($59,000) - has topped the Human Development Index (HDI) for all but two years since 2001.
It doesn't come in first place in any individual category - average income in Liechtenstein, for example, is a wallet-busting $US81,011 and Japan's life expectancy is 83.6 years - but Norway's all-round performance gives it superiority in the 20th annual rankings on the UN Development Program (UNDP).
Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Ireland, in order, also made the top five."
http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/united-nations-names-australia-as-the-second-best-place-in-the-world-to-live-20101105-17g3f.html
http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/

[jjjnettie]

There's no place like home!

[mithrandir]

You forgot the repeats and heel click. :)

[jjjnettie]

I didn't have my Ruby slippers on either.

I'm forever grateful to have been born in this, the Lucky Country.:)

[PCH]

It's worth it only coming second not to have to learn Norwegian though :P

[Ric]

We might be number 2 but we are number 1 with our southern skies.

Cheers

[strongmanmike]

Yeh but many Aussies thart fit this average will still complain about everything here... you know like :question:...we should be able to drive faster on our roads or...what Julia is wearing etc... :rolleyes:

[mithrandir]

So if we trade all the goat tracks for autobahns, and have everyone dress like they just left at a Milan couturier then Oz would be perfect?

[gary]

And with a mean daytime temperature in January of -2.3C in Oslo
plus the midnight sun during winter in the far north above the Arctic Circle,
where it can get down to minus forty below, I can't imagine too many Australian
observers wanting to permanently relocate there any time soon. :)

[strongmanmike]

Yeh the UN should have included road networks/conditions as one of the fundamentals of the standard of living...the roads in Norway are probably often covered in ice and snow so maybe we could have pipped'em then :thumbsup:....not sure Julia would stack up against the average Norwegian gal though...:eyepop:

[Peter Ward]

I could live with that :D

[avandonk]

Pining for the fiords!

Bert

[BerrieK]

But what about all the trolls in Norway?

[el_draco]

If memory serves me correctly, the U.N. does not take into account intangibles such as environmental welbeing when doing this calculation... which of course makes it meaningless. :shrug:

Recent events in the world have demonstarted one thing very clearly; the U.N. is a complete out-of-touch farce, a repeat of the equally usless "League of Nations" :screwy:

If you want a real indicator of where it is good to live, try Bhutan's concept of G.D.H., a far better indicator that G.D.P. :thumbsup:

Personally, give me C. Bay... (Not telling, so don't ask!!)

[jjjnettie]

LOL There's enough trolls on this forum to satisfy any Norwegian. :rofl:

[Gerald Sargent]

For Ric - what southern skies ? Here in SE Qld we have been clouded out since late August
and at present in Brisbane it is more like November in UK - Gerald.

[Ric]

Hi Gerald, the skies are clear down here at the moment.

For how long though is anyones guess.

Cheers

[glenc]

If they took temperature into account Australia would win.
The Norwegian roads are excellent, they have long tunnels through the mountains so that they can get around in winter.
The Norwegians are also very hospitable, they went out of their way to help us out several times when we were there.

[RickS]

Not only do the Norwegians have long tunnels... they have mobile phone reception in them!

[Kevnool]

As long as the beers ice cold then thats ok by me.
Cheers Kev.

[lacad01]

I'll second that :):gday:

[glenc]

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1442256/Australia-6th-most-democratic:-study
Norway has been ranked the world's most democratic nation followed by Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, New Zealand and Australia.
France, Italy, Greece and Slovenia dropped from the "full democracies" category and are now considered "flawed democracies."
The report also put the United States and the United Kingdom both near the bottom of the list of full democracies.

[sheeny]

:lol::thumbsup:

Thanks Bert!

Al.

[mithrandir]

Any comment on this will probably get the thread locked.

[AstralTraveller]

... and now a massage from the Swedish prime minister.

[casstony]

Having spent some time in the US, Australia is an easier place in which to live if you're poor and our political model functions more smoothly than theirs. While we should always aim for improvement our problems are insignificant compared to the difficulties facing most other countries - I have to look hard to see the cloud beyond the silver lining here.

[ballaratdragons]

I am always amazed at how many people, after traveling overseas, say that we have it better here.

I don't even need to travel overseas to know that.

Australia is nation number 1 to me.

[ngcles]

Hi Bert & All,



Pining for the Fjords ! Now what kind of talk is that ... :lol:


Best,

Les D

[ballaratdragons]

No thanks Bert, I'd rather have an Aussie 'Holden' :rofl:

[multiweb]

No way! :eyepop: Summer mozzies in Norway are the size of small birds... :rolleyes: .... and the climate is great too [if you're a penguin] :cold:

[pgc hunter]

Not to mention the lack of a night in summer.

[glenc]

"On January 13, 2011, Freedom House released its findings from the latest edition of Freedom in the World, the annual survey of global political rights and civil liberties. According to the survey’s findings, 2010 was the fifth consecutive year in which global freedom suffered a decline—the longest period of setbacks for freedom in the nearly 40-year history of the report. These declines threaten gains dating to the post–Cold War era in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the former Soviet bloc. The latest survey hightlights the increasing truculence of the world’s most powerful authoritarian regimes, which has coincided with a growing inability or unwillingness on the part of the world’s democracies to meet the authoritarian challenge."
http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=594

Table, Graphs, and Other Supporting Documents (http://www.freedomhouse.org/images/File/fiw/Tables%2C%20Graphs%2C%20etc%2C%20FI W%202011_Revised%201_11_11.pdf) – Features graphical representations of global and regional breakdowns for freedom status, political rights and civil liberties ratings for each country and territory, the number and percentage of electoral democracies over the last two decades, and the total number of Free, Partly Free, and Not Free countries for each year since the survey began in 1972. Includes a summary of the Freedom in the World methodology.

Map of Freedom 2011 (http://www.freedomhouse.org/images/File/fiw/FIW_2011_MOF_Final.pdf)– This color-coded map of the world identifies the Free, Partly Free, and Not Free countries in 2010.

[strongmanmike]

High levels of freedom, highly ranked democracy, high standard of living, great education system, low unemployment, low intrest rates, low level of international dept, good health system etc etc...still seem to be plenty of complaints though huh...? The more you have, the more you want :rolleyes:

Funny there's a lady in my office who, big breath... hates islamic people (even if they look middle eastern), dark skinned people, Asian looking races, is not sypatheic toward indigionous people one bit, hates Julia (in fact the whole Labor party), hates the United Nations, hates Obama and the list goes on... Funnily enough she is living in a nice house with a pool in a good suburb that's being paid off by her wealthy mother.... I have long given up trying to reason with her, in the office we just avoid all these subjects (and others) as best we can...its amzing what little snipet of news or topic will set her off. Once again, the better it is, the more you have, the more bitter you can become I guess...?

[luigi]

We must transplant all aussies to Argentina inmediately.
Same southern skies.
Great meat.
Nice weather.
And nothing is poisonous here! Except people.

[M110]

Too damn cold in Norway for me

[Zaps]

Before finally retiring (again!), I had an Australian research assistant working for me who was just the nicest darn guy. He had a great sense of humor and would do just about anything for anybody, and was always concerned for the wellbeing of others.

Yet he referred to all non-white people by every racial epithet known, seemingly without even being aware that he was doing so. It wasn't ill-intentioned. He didn't seem to be trying to offend or insult any of them. It was apparently the way he was brought up to speak about such people.

[mill]

Well i have been in Norway when i was in the marines (in winter time).
The wages might be high but if you have to buy booz or an $8.00 small jar of jam, you see your wages go down very quickly:(

[glenc]

Australians have come out on top as the world's most envious people in a tally of the seven deadly sins.
BBC magazine Focus found Australians also scored highly for the other six sins, making Australia the 'most sinful' country on Earth.
"Sin-prone" Australia was followed by the US, Canada, Finland and Spain....
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/odd/6737138/australia-most-sinful-country-on-earth

[strongmanmike]

We all need to say three Hail Mary's, four Our Fathers and go straight..?...to bed..or perhaps maybe steal someones telescope :question:

[renormalised]

I can hear Wagner playing right now....:):P

[toc]

Workplaces are changing very rapidly - In my work place, Im probably only one of two people that have parents born in Australia, so Its going to be pretty hard to maintain that sort of view and remain employed :) (and with good reason)

[toc]

...and made by Coopers or James Squire :lol:

[glenc]

AUSTRALIA is second best - almost but not quite the greatest place in which to live, according to the latest United Nations human development index.
Norway pips us by a flared nostril. Australia scores 0.93 on a scale of 0 to 1, where 1 is the highest score possible.
At 0.94, Norway's margin over Australia is close to invisible...
The UN says the worst places in the world to live are in Africa. The bottom five are Chad, Mozambique, Burundi, Niger and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The five best places to live are Norway, Australia, the Netherlands, the US and New Zealand.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/not-quite-norway-but-still-a-great-place-to-call-home-20111102-1mvnz.html
http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/

[strongmanmike]

The amount of sanctimonious rubbish we hear from a number of commentators in recent times you wouldn't know it huh? :rolleyes: our overall score has even improved over the last 4 years ;)

[Stardrifter_WA]

I just wish that they would stop telling everyone :P :D :lol:

[glenc]

"In 2011, average wealth in Australia, at
USD 397,000, was second highest in the world – after
Switzerland and ahead of Norway. More surprisingly, perhaps,
its median wealth of USD 222,000 is the highest in the world."
https://infocus.credit-suisse.com/data/_product_documents/_shop/323525/2011_global_wealth_report.pdf

[Jeffkop]

My eyes and senses must be deceiving me. Most of my friends must be deceiving me. My family must be deceiving me. The people I meet must be deceiving me. My bank must be deceiving me. My body must be pretending its a little stressed. The circles I move in ( which involves many and varied types of business, some big enterprises too ) the people I meet out and about ... there is no-one who is confident, who is experiencing growth, who thinks they are better off in these times ... worst is, absolutely no-one thinks they have seen the worst yet either. I will back first hand knowledge against some report anyday. The report is intersting, but in view of my opening statement reminds me once again about statistics.

[strongmanmike]

Hmmm? You sure about that.....

"BRC250, TSA102S, Sky-90, HGM Titan
STL11000M, ST2000XM CFW9, SBIG RGH
Astrodon Series 2 LRGB Filters, CS HA 10nm
Robo Focus, FLI PDF focuser
Canon 40D."

...in comparison many places in the world don't even have access to reliable electricity or even a proper surage system....I dunno, I think we might be doing ok :thumbsup:

[taminga16]

United Nations names Australia as the second best place in the world to live

Thats good to know and if it gets us down we can move to the best place.
Greg.

[casstony]

Since housing represents much of an individuals wealth, the comparison to other western countries is distorted by us being at different stages of the housing boom cycle. Japan's boom ended 2 decades ago and the US and Europe have had falling house prices for several years while we're near the top of our boom. In another decade we will feel significantly less wealthy having seen house values evaporate but still needing to service the debt.

We'll still be well off compared to most other humans on the planet though - plenty of natural resources for a relatively small population.

[deejayvee]

While I don't have a huge amount of confidence in the world's economic outlook, right now I can honestly say I am better off now than I have ever been. And I don't work in mining.

[Jeffkop]

Yeah Mike .. Im REALLY sure ... and whats more Ive had reliable electricity for all my life and proper sewerage for 3/4 of it ... I dont know what any of that has to do with anything I said.

Your reply about sanctimony and that we have improved over that last 4 years induced my comment. (Im not confusing the issue of wanting to be anywhere else but Australia) Talking the same time frame you suggested however, I am at odds with your view. MY equipment list was also provided for in times well before this too which is fortunate because I wouldnt have a hope of being able to purchase that now ... And so if you want to compare my existance to any place worse of than here, then I have no argument ... but I can assure you that in your 4 year time frame what I mentioned is whats happening for me.

[strongmanmike]

Your suggestion that Aussies are doing it tough is a complete nonsense in a global sense, that's what it was meant to highlight :rolleyes:



Well it's true, the human development index for Australia has indeed improved over the last 4 years - fact! Look it up :thumbsup:



Fair enough



My point exactly every other country is worse off, yet people here are still complaining...pretty simple concept really :shrug:



Again fair enough, not the best result for you perhaps in comparison but the fact is that on a global scale Australians enjoy the highest standard of living, one of the highest income/capita, one of the best education systems, one of the best standards of health care, one of the highest levels of political freedoms, the best status forf women, one of the highest life expectances etc etc and this HAS even improved over the last 4 years... which in a nut shell ranks us No2 in the World and only by a hairs breath of being No1 :)

Sorry if I have offended in any subtle way but you can look it up for yourself..and it is these facts that drew my sanctimonius comment in relation to the garbage that eminates form the mouths of spoksmen like Bolt, Smith, Edwards, Jones and Akerman et al who would have us believe that the place is going down the tubes - the reality is that we simply are not :)

Mike

[gregbradley]

It makes sense the Banking country would be number 1. I bet you they did all right out of the GFC. Perhaps even wanted it.

Its also interesting they do not use the Euro.

I see the point about the wealth not flowing around. I am sure those statistics are skewed by the mining sector boom.

Wages in mining areas are much higher than in other sectors.

Also, when it comes to managing the economy I believe that interest rate adjustments are always too late in coming. Then retail gets hit first. Not helped by the shift to an online economy. Then the construction industry, which some would argue probably never lifted back up after the GFC too much except for the Govt prop up from the Schools upgrades.

Comparing Australia to Norway is ludicrous as who wants to live with the Penguins? Of course Australia is better than Norway (no offence to Norwegians) as climate would make a massive difference in quality of life not to mention the fact we are a continent whilst they are tiny. In terms of money I suppose they must have a lot of gas or oil. Or perhaps they sell whale meat at really high prices to the Japanese.:lol:

Comparing Australia to Switzerland is closer but still they have a cold climate - reasonably good skiing and great scenery but a very small country and no food that is worth eating.:rofl:

Greg.

[Peter Ward]

I'm sorry, I'm confused. I like Penguins....but there are no Penguins in Norway (well, maybe a few, at the Zoo).

They are an Antarctic species. :D

[multiweb]

Well... no, it's a fine line really. It depends on how many glasses of Norwegian Aquavit you've had.

[gregbradley]

You've been watching Frozen Planet!

OK Reindeers then! Or unlucky whales!

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

Hey, it wouldn't be the penguins....:evil2:

Include one for the ladies too (World Strongest man 2001 Svend Karlsen)

[multiweb]

I reckon he eats three penguins every morning. How many do you do? :P

[strongmanmike]

Although I was competing in his time, I never had the opportunity to compete against Svend (neeeearly did in 1999 when I was a single point away from representing Australia at World's Strongest Man 1999) but a fellow competitor and friend here in Oz did and he said although a little crazy Svend was a nice guy :)

As for the penguins...I am sure he would rather photograph them than eat them :lol:

Mike

[avandonk]

We take this fine country for granted. Nowhere else on the planet have so many people from so many diverse backgrounds melded into what I consider home.
I used to go overseas about once or twice a year for work. I have seen enough to know things here are very good.
I have had a homeless man come up to me in Chicago with a torn t-shirt and holey jeans and runners and it was -20C! He wanted some spare change. It could be an elaborate scam and if it was, a painful one.
Similar if not as graphic in Europe and Japan. These were all first world countries!
Penguins are only found in Antarctica. There are a few smaller variants as far north as Australia and a few tropical islands.
We are endowed with some of the best moronic shock jocks and columnists and we should soon overtake the USA as they are number one for these ignorant biased hypocritical apparent morons. Their audience is the moronic and uneducated and they sink to below their level to communicate with them. Their stock in trade is engendering fear and uncertainty with totally made up stuff! They shame us all.

Bert