UK moves up three places in nations prosperity table
THE United Kingdom is the most prosperous of all major European Union countries, according to a new study by a public policy think tank.
Legatum Institute’s 2014 Prosperity Index reveals Norway as the most prosperous country in the world, while the Central African Republic finishes bottom of the rankings.
The UK is ranked 13, three places higher than last year’s index, and one spot ahead of Germany. France came 21st in the list, Spain 26th and Italy 37th, while Russia is the worst performing country in Europe in 68th place.
Chancellor George Osborne said the study provided further international support for the government’s longterm economic plan.
He went on: “Thanks to the difficult decisions we have taken to deliver economic security and control the public finances, we have moved three places up the global rankings.”
James Barty, a special adviser to the institute, added: “Politicians are often blinkered by what drives national success.
“Although a solid economy is a pre-requisite – and the government should be proud of its achievements in putting the public finances on a sound footing – other factors are vital when it comes to prosperity.”
The index measures a set of eight categories that reveal how nations perform both economically and in vital areas of education, health, personal freedom, safety and security and entrepreneurship.
It covers 142 countries in the world, accounting for 96 per cent of the world’s population and 99 per cent of global GDP. The study shows the UK is a world-leader for entrepreneurship, coming 8th in the list, and that British people are some of the most charitable.