NZ most socially advanced nation.

New Zealand is the most socially advanced nation on the planet according to a new global index published today, the Social Progress Imperative (SPI).

NZ topped the Index of 132 countries ranked on social and environmental performance by the US-based nonprofit organisation. Eighty years after gross domestic product was first conceived, SPI was designed to offer another - more wholesome - way to measure national performance.

Under three main categories - basic human needs, foundations of wellbeing, and opportunity - 12 components, further split into 54 indicators, determined overall ratings. New Zealand ranked first overall in opportunity, and had the best score in 20 components, including measures of homicide, corruption, religious tolerance, personal freedom and choice, secondary school enrolment, and press freedoms.

The top five countries in order were New Zealand, Switzerland, Netherlands, Iceland, and Norway.

Any surprises in the rankings? Well for me, I am very surprised that the US is ranked so high in view of the 'gun issue' and according to Russ, a Second Amendment that can not be repealed (Russ can correct me if I have misunderstood this). And France and Italy seem rather low..... In general, the Europeans (even the socialist model) take the majority of the top spots.

 http://www.socialprogressimper...s/spi/dim1,dim2,dim3

I think it is an excelent approach  in attempting to measure a nations social awareness in regard to its political policy decision making....and a breath of fresh air from the endless quoting of the GDP index. I suspect the SPI is not perfect and has some data gaps, but it shows that you don't need to be a rich nation to have a socially progressive outlook.

So I hand it over to the floor for comments.

Jason.