6 November 2013
New Zealand rates well in the Better Life Index published today. The OECD reports that New Zealand performs well in areas that are considered essential for “the good life”.
New Zealand is placed at the top of the OECD for health status, and above average for many of the other ten measured elements including civic engagement, personal security, environmental quality, subjective well being, education and skills, housing, social conditions, and jobs and earnings.
However, New Zealand is below the OECD average for income and wealth, and for work-life balance.
The survey indicates that household disposable income grew in New Zealand by around 6% from 2007 to 2010 while in countries of the Euro area, income dropped on average by 2% between 2007 and 2011,
That change is evident for anyone contemplating the purchase of a new European car.
Although 4% of New Zealanders live in households where all adults are unemployed, that incidence is lower than the OECD average.
Australia remains the lucky country.
Although the survey doesn’t explicitly identify which country offers the best life, if each of the 11 categories is given equal weight, Australia’s ranks first, followed closely by Norway and the United States. New Zealand ranks higher than Australia for health, and for work life balance and life satisfaction.
www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/australia/
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