U.S. First in Global Prosperity

(London, UK) The Global Prosperity Index has been released for the past 12-month period by the independent think tank, Legatum Institute for Global Development. The London-based Legatum Institute is supported by the Dubai-based Legatum investment group. Legatum's mission is to promote excellence in both global investment and sustainable development.

Fifty nations were rated based upon national statistics on income, political rights, freedom of choice, health, climate, religious faith, civil liberties, unemployment rate, divorce rate and others. Notably, the top countries are mostly European. Also note that Mexico is more prosperous than Britain, France and Japan.

The U.S. is tied with Norway and Sweden for first place. At the bottom is Zimbabwe. Here's the ranking.

1. Norway
1. Sweden
1. United States
4. Austria
5. Canada
6. New Zealand
7. Denmark
8. Finland
9. Germany
10. Switzerland

11. Australia
12. Netherlands
13. Singapore
14. Ireland
15. Iceland
16. Mexico
17. Israel
18. United Kingdom
19. Belgium
20. Spain

21. Argentina
22. South Korea
23. France
24. Czech Republic
25. Italy
26. Chile
27. Greece
28. Croatia
29. Japan
30. El Salvador

31. Portugal
31. Venezuela
33. Slovakia
34. Brazil
35. Hungary
36. Philippines
37. Bulgaria
38. Poland
38. South Africa
40. Indonesia

41. Romania
42. China
43. Jordan
44. Russia
45. Turkey
46. India
47. Bangladesh
48. Egypt
49. Pakistan
50. Zimbabwe

With only 50 nations evaluated, obviously many are not addressed. Presumably, data are not available. Still, it's seems odd for virtually the entire continent of Africa to be excluded from the rankings. Only South Africa, Egypt and Zimbabwe are represented. Also, a number of Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Southeast Asian countries are missing from the list.