Norway is the #1 nation on earth in the Legatum Institute’s 2014 Prosperity Index of the world, the Local  tells MHProNews.  142 nations were ranked. The list uses the following eight variables to measure a country’s prosperity performance. 

• Economy
• Entrepreneurship
• Governance
• Education
• Personal freedom
• Health
• Security
• Social capital

Canada ranked #5, while the U.S. barely cracked the top 10, using Legatum’s reasoning. Here are the top 20 on their list.

Prosperity Index: Top 20

1) Norway

2) Switzerland

3) New Zealand

4) Denmark

5) Canada

6) Sweden

7) Australia

8) Finland

9) Netherlands

10) United States

11) Iceland

12) Ireland

13) United Kingdom

14) Germany

15) Austria

16) Luxembourg

17) Belgium

18) Singapore

19) Japan

20) Hong Kong

Live in one of the 50 states and unhappy with the U.S. standings? Its election day, one more good reason to go and vote for the candidates who pledge and are likely to bring you more of the factors that make doing business in the U.S. easier. ##

(Photo credit-Shutterstock-the Local)