From Iceland — Iceland Pretty Progressive, Socially

Iceland Pretty Progressive, Socially

Published April 22, 2014

Nanna Árnadóttir
Photo by
Matthew Eisman

According to a new report, Iceland is amongst the Top Three most socially
progressive nations in the world. 

The Social Progress Index operates on the premise that economic development is necessary but not sufficient for social progress and that a country’s overall level of development could mask social and environmental strengths and challenges. 

Iceland, rounding out the Top Three, ranked first for Water and Sanitation, Personal Safety, Access to Information and Tolerance and Inclusion. 

However the study found Iceland was weak when it came to the Availability of Affordable Housing and access to shelter.  

New Zealand and Switzerland ranked overall first and second respectively and Chad in last place. 

The Index is the sum of three dimensions: Basic Human Needs, Foundations of Wellbeing, and Opportunity. Each dimension is made up of another equally weighted four components scored on an objective scale to create realistic benchmarks. 

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