New survey suggests, Ireland is the best country in the world

Ireland is the best country in the world according to a new survey

The Republic’s overall contribution to humanity and the planet has seen it take the top spot in the very first Good Country Index which was published this morning. The index ranks nations according to their overall contribution to humanity using 35 separate indicators from the United Nations, the World Bank and other international institutions spread across seven categories.

Ireland secured the overall top spot by finishing in the top 10 in four of the seven categories and it was six places ahead of the UK and 20 ahead of the US.

Nine of the top 10 countries on the Good Country Index are in Western Europe, making the region the “most good” part of the world. Following Ireland are Finland, Switzerland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark and Belgium.

British policy adviser Simon Anholt is behind the index and he described the idea as “pretty simple”.

“The intention was to measure what each country on earth contributes to the common good of humanity, and what it takes away. Using a wide range of data from the UN and other international organisations, we’ve given each country a balance-sheet to show at a glance whether it’s a net creditor to mankind, a burden on the planet, or something in between.”

Simon Anholt, British Policy Advisor

He stressed that his survey was not intended to name and shame individual countries but to recognise the importance of contributing to the greater good in a globalised society and that the index is set to be updated annually.

The list assesses the size of a country’s economy and its global contributions to science and technology, culture, international peace and security, world order, the planet and climate, prosperity and equality as well as the health and well-being of humanity.

Ireland claimed the number one spot in the ‘Equality and Prosperity’ category and it was ranked fourth when it came to ‘World Order,’ seventh in ‘Culture,’ and ninth in the ‘Health and Wellbeing’ category.

The news wasn’t so great in the ‘Science and Technology’ category where Ireland came 20th while the country was 33rd in the ‘International Peace and Security’ category.

Barry O’Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland, Ireland’s inward investment promotion agency, said surveys like this one contribute to Ireland’s reputation abroad as a good place to live and do business.

“The survey recognises Ireland’s open trading culture, as well as the level of foreign direct investment that Ireland continues to enjoy”

“Other factors that companies take into account when locating are also recognised here, including each country’s ‘freedom of movement’ and our ongoing population growth, which is providing companies with skilled graduates.”

Barry O’Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland

Joe Robbins

(Director) BBS (Hons), MBPICS – Shannon Office

Joe Robbins is co-founder of CareerWise Recruitment. A graduate of the University of Limerick (Degree in Business Studies, 1985), Joe worked in the UK for five years where he specialised in materials management, production management and plant management for a number of companies.

He returned to Ireland in 1992 to become Operations Manager for a Cork-based start-up, FMC Automotive Division which was subsequently taken over by Snap-on Equipment. Joe managed the business re-location of this company to Shannon in 1997 before setting up CareerWise Recruitment in 1999.

He is a committee member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Mid-West region, and a former Director and Vice President of the Shannon Chamber of Commerce. Joe is former Chairperson of the Sixmilebridge Camogie Club and current Chairperson of the Clare County Camogie Board.

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