Costa Rica
Tops The 2009 Legatum Prosperity Index in
Latin America
Costa Rica tops the 2009 Legatum Prosperity
Index in Latin America, ahead of Panama,
Brazil, Argentina and Colombia. However
Latinamerica’s best placed countries in the
index which defines prosperity as wealth and
wellbeing are in the thirties out of a total
list of 104.
Legatum Prosperity points out that the most
prosperous nations in the world are not
necessarily those that have only a high GDP,
“but are those that also have happy,
healthy, and free citizens”.
According to the ranking Costa Rica figures
in position 32, Uruguay, 33, Chile, 36 and
Argentina, 38. Others in Latinamerica
include Brazil, 41; Panama, 42; Mexico, 43;
Dominican Republic, 54; Paraguay, 57; El
Salvador, 60; Peru, 64; Colombia, 65;
Honduras, 66 and Guatemala, 67. Bottom of
the region’s list are Ecuador, 71;
Nicaragua, 72; Bolivia, 73 and Venezuela,
74.
Finland tops this year’s Index, with the
United States ranking ninth, ahead of large
European nations such as Britain, Germany
and France, which all still make the top 20.
Finland is narrowly ahead of Switzerland,
Sweden and Denmark. Zimbabwe ranks last,
following Yemen and Sudan.
Behind Denmark come Norway, Australia,
Canada, Holland, US and New Zealand,
followed by Ireland, UK; Belgium, Germany,
Austria, Japan, France, Hong Kong, Spain and
Slovenia.
The Legatum Prosperity Index accounts for
90% of the world’s population and is based
on years of statistical analysis and
research of objective data and subjective
responses to surveys. The data comprises 79
different variables organized into nine sub
indexes – each identified as a foundation of
long-term prosperity.
The nine sub-indexes are: Economic
Fundamentals – a growing, sound economy that
provides opportunities for wealth creation;
Entrepreneurship and Innovation – an
environment friendly to new enterprises and
the commercialisation of new ideas;
Democratic Institutions – transparent and
accountable governing institutions that
promote economic growth; Education – an
accessible, high-quality educational system
that fosters human development; Health – the
physical wellbeing of the populace; Safety
and Security – a safe environment in which
people can pursue opportunity; Governance –
an honest and effective government that
preserves order and encourages productive
citizenship; Personal Freedom – the degree
to which individuals can choose the course
of their lives; Social Capital –
trustworthiness in relationships and strong
communities.
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What is the Prosperity Index?
The Legatum Prosperity Index is the world’s only global assessment of wealth and wellbeing; unlike other studies that rank countries by actual levels of wealth, life satisfaction or development, the Prosperity Index produces rankings based upon the very foundations of prosperity – those factors that help drive economic growth and produce happy citizens over the long term.
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