According to the Legatum Prosperity Index, European countries such as Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway top in their overall abilities to foster “the nine drivers of prosperity”. The United States ranks ninth on the list, its status pulled down by low scores on health and safety. India pulls in at forty-seventh,behind most European countries, North America and Australia/New Zealand; also notably and perhaps suprisingly behind Trinidad and Thailand. The United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Russia trail India.
India scored lowest on Education, Health and Safety. China clocks in at Number 75, pulled down by low scores on democracy, personal freedom and governance. Most countries in the lowest quartile are run by despots and tyrants (Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, etc) or have serious natural resource challenges (Nepal, Bangladesh).
