It doesn’t matter how good you have it, there’s always something to complain about. In the same way that your parents made you clean your plate because children were starving elsewhere on the globe, Norwegians have been told to stop whingeing about their comfy state-supported lifestyles, as the UN Development Programme has declared Norway the best place to live on earth. Now eat your spinach Norway. Based on criteria including life-expectancy, income and education, the UNDP’s annual Human Development index ranks 177 countries around the globe. This is the sixth year that Norway has taken top honors, with 40 times the average wealth, twice the life-expectancy, and five times the literacy of last-place finisher Niger. But according to the Associated Press: “Despite wealth, high levels of education, low unemployment, and an economic boom, Norwegians often complain of high taxes and of shortcomings in their cradle-to-grave welfare state, such as waiting lists at hospitals, and a lack of public care for both children and the elderly.” In response to this nit-picking, Aid minister Erik Solheim was quoted as saying: “There are unsolved problems in Norway, but let us battle this culture of whining, and look at the future with optimism.” Second through Tenth places this year went to Iceland, Australia, Ireland, Sweden, Canada, Japan and the United States, while 17 countries – including Iraq and Afghanistan – were omitted due to “insufficient data.” (via Jaunted)

Elsewhere:
– “Stop moaning about best country in the world, Norwegians told” (IHT)

(Image via Skyecap’s photostream)