Norway is the ‘best place to live’ on earth: What can we learn from this Scandinavian beauty?

THIS country has beaten us for the 12th time in a row in the UN’s ‘Best Place to Live’ list. Listen up Australia, this is why we took out silver and not gold.

Wild World: Lofoten Wall towering over a Norwegian fishing village

NORWAY has beaten us again — it’s been ranked the top country to live in by the United Nations Development Program.

Some Aussies might find it hard to believe that a country with scarcely a barbecue, beach or 40C day could be the gold medallist — for the 12th straight year.

While others (who are not so keen on some aspects of Australia) might be surprised that we took out silver — beating the likes of Switzerland and Denmark. How on earth did Australia beat several European counties, with their almost free education, generous paternity leave for new dads and lengthy bicycle paths?

Well, it’s not exactly all about bicycle paths. The UNDP uses the Human Development Index — a statistic factoring education, per-capita income and life expectancy — to determine a country’s rank.

Australia scored 0.935 on a scale of 0 to 1, where 1 is the highest score possible. At 0.944, Norway’s margin over Australia was incredibly slim.

Niger, the country ranked the lowest, scored 0.348. Countries with the steepest HDI drops included Syria, which slipped 15 places, and Libya, which dropped 27 places.

“Norway has over time managed to increase its income, and at the same time, ensured that incomes are relatively evenly distributed,” Jens Wandel, who runs the program’s administrative department, toldThe Local.

It’s official — Norway is wonderful. Picture: Lonely Planet's Wild World

After spending some time in Norway, I can easily see why this country keeps topping lists of the best place to live. Of course, putting the two countries side by side — one in Northern Europe with a population of about five million, and the other in the Southern Hemisphere with 23 million people — is a bit like comparing red and white wine. But, if you have had the chance to travel to Norway you may have seen the myriad factors that make Norway a truly awesome country.

COULD AUSTRALIA TAKE ON SOME OF THESE IDEAS?

Norway, you’re just so pretty.

FREE FUNERALS

Do those frequent TV ads reminding us to prearrange our funeral in case no one else will pay for it depress you?

The Norwegians have nothing to worry about in this area. The state pays for their wedding ceremony (at least the church and priest) and their funeral.

ALMOST FREE EDUCATION

Still paying off that higher education loan? I should have studied in Norway.

The majority of Norwegian universities and state university colleges are publicly funded and the Norwegian government considers access to higher education for all to be an important part of the Norwegian society. Thus, as a rule Norwegian state universities and university colleges do not charge tuition fees. This also applies to foreign students, no matter which country you come from.

HAPPY NEW DADS

Aussie dads and partners get two weeks government funded pay — that’s if they meet all the eligibility requirements.

In stark contrast, about 90 per cent of Norwegian fathers take at least 12 weeks’ paternity leave. And the generous maternity leave arrangements for mums makes me weep with envy. Norway’s new mummy are granted 12 months paid parental leave, plus subsidised childcare. Imagine: no two-year-long waiting lists for a childcare spot or long wait lists for before-and-after-school-care, as is the situation in Sydney.

Is it any wonder Norway keeps topping lists of the best place to live?

BYE, BYE CARS

While Australia’s capital cities are choked with cars, Norway’s capital is the complete opposite. Cars will be no longer welcome in downtown Oslo by 2019.

POLITICAL ADS ARE BANNED

Sick of seeing the faces of pollies everywhere in the lead up to an election?

In Norway it’s illegal to have political adds on TV, radio or in newspapers.

GAY RIGHTS

Norway, like most of Scandinavia, is very liberal in regard to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights. Same-sex marriage became legally recognised in Norway in January 2009.

THEY’RE RICH

Norway has the world’s biggest sovereign fund, where it has been saving almost all the money it gets from the sale of oil.

YOUR SALARY IS NOT A SECRET

Every year, Norway’s tax authorities publish details about people’s income and wealth.

Norwegians sure have good reason to smile.

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