How Canada Ranks: 2014 & 2015

How Canada Has Ranked Internationally in 2014 & 2015

Oh, Canada, if I could only tell you face to face how grateful I am to be born and raised within your boundaries... what a heartfelt conversation that would be.

You are a safe and free place to live for not only myself and millions of other Canadians, but also countless of immigrants from around the world who come to you looking for a better way of life.

The opportunities that are available to us all are incredible - and should not be taken for granted - considering just how crazy life is for some people just like us in other places than here.

And that is just one aspect of your grand picture, oh, Canada.

The Facts

Let me go on for long enough and I’ll tell you more reasons why I feel so grateful to be Canadian.

But instead, perhaps we should hear as to what several media and research institutions from around the world have concluded about this wonderful country of mine.

Canada’s position in various international rankings according to the National Post:

• 2014 - #1 - Best G7 job growth since 2008 – OECD

• 2014 – #1 - Real GDP growth among G7 since 2009 – Canada Budget 2015

• 2014 - #1 - Best Country for Business in G20 – Forbes

• 2015 - #1 - Most Reputable and Admired – Reputation Institute

• 2015 - #1 - Government net debt / GDP of G7 – OECD

• 2015 - #5 - World Happiness Ranking – United Nations SDSN

• 2015 - #5 - Soft Power 30 Index – Portland Communications

• 2015 - #6 - Social Progress Index – Social Progress Initiative

• 2015 - #7 - World’s Most Open Governments – WJP Open Government Index

Clearly there are many social, economic, political and even historical factors that all have a part to play in awards such as these, which if we examine closely enough can appreciate to the fullest.

World Happiness Report – U.N.

For example, the “World Happiness Report” conducted annually by the United Nations outlines the state of world happiness, the cause for both happiness and unhappiness (or misery, if you will), and implications that policies have on each.

The six most influential factors that change the rankings between countries include:

• Freedom from corruption

• Generosity

• Having someone to depend on

• Healthy life expectancy

• Perceived freedom to make life choices

• Real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita

Results are collected by Gallup from survey participants in more than 150 countries around the world. As far as Canada is concerned, I am willing to bet my marbles that we do exceptionally well in all these categories listed above, which of course is the reason why we rank as the fifth happiest country in the world in 2015 in the first place. But don’t take my word for it…

According to the Heritage Foundation, Canada ranks 6^th overall for the most free country in the world. That includes economic freedom, freedom from corruption, property rights, government control on spending, monetary freedom and a few others.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published results from its “Global Health Observatory Data Repository: Life Expectancy” which finds Canada to be tied for 8^th with a life expectancy of 82 years old.

The World Bank ranks Canada as 12^th for highest GDP per capita in 2014 – at $51,964 – much higher than the world’s average of $10,613.

The facts continue…

Country RepTrak – Reputation Institute

Just recently Canada was ranked as the most reputable and admired country in the world in 2015 by the Reputation Institute – for the 4^th time in six years I might add.

This isn’t just some first world survey where half the participants are Canadian either. More than 48,000 people living in G8 countries and 30,000 from non G8 countries such as Brazil, China and India, are surveyed for a more complete and diverse data set.

Participants were asked a series of questions broken down into three categories:

• Advanced economy – educational values, quality products and services, reputed brand names...

• Appealing environment – appealing lifestyle, friendly / welcoming people, beautiful landscapes…

• Effective government – ethical, economic and social policy, effective use of public resources…

These questions are designed to measure a the perceptions one country has of another when it comes to being seen as welcoming and friendly, a safe place to travel, having positive economic and social policies and effective / responsible government to name a few.

After participant feedback was processed, it showed that Canada was perceived as having the highest quality of life in the world.

Dig deep enough into the details of each of these awards listed above and there’s no doubt that you’ll find even more proof as to why Canada is such an awesome place. Period.

I encourage you to dig a little deeper into some of these rankings and see just exactly why Canada has done so well for itself on the world stage. Now after all that has been said, how could you not be proud to be Canadian?

I Love Canada

Oh, Canada, you are admired by many and loved by even more. It is clear that you are a perceived as a light in the distance when things go dark for others in different places and that the freedom and opportunities you offer is nothing to take for granted.

From a happy and grateful Canadian – I love you Canada. Also check out this list of Canada Facts and Infographics today to learn more about the red and white!