By Choi Sung-jin
Korea is ranked the 26th best country to live in from social and environmental aspects. In a survey, the nation received good marks in environment and well-being but low grades in individual rights and opportunities.
According to the survey of 133 countries by Deloitte Anjin and the Social Progress Imperative, a U.S. nonprofit, Korea’s social progress index in 2016 was 80.92 points. Last year, the nation was ranked 29th with 77.7 points.
The index was devised to judge livability from the aspects of society and environment, after excluding economic factors, including gross domestic product.
In the area of basic desire, such as nutrition, primary medical support, water, sanitation and personal safety, Korea received 92.21 points (24th). In the foundation for well-being -- basic knowledge and access to information and communication -- the nation got 82.1 points (28th).
But in the area of opportunity -- individual rights, access to higher education and individual freedom and choice as well as tolerance and engagement -- Korea received only 68.55 points. Particularly in individual rights, Korea was 49th in the world.
“Korea’s overall ranking rose thanks to improvement in some areas, which was meaningful enough,” said Yun Young-won, a public-sector leader at Deloitte Anjin. “Other areas, such as individual rights, freedom and choice, have yet to make progress, however.”
Finland was the best country to live in, receiving 90.09 points and recording a sharp rise from seventh place last year. Following it were Canada, Denmark, Australia, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Britain and New Zealand. The United States was ranked 19th, rated as one of the most seriously underachieving countries despite its per capita GDP of $52,118.
Other underachieving countries compared with GDP were China, Russia, Iran, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. Japan was ranked 14th with 86.54 points and China 84th with 62.1 points, the survey showed.