Friday, February 1, 2019

The OECD Better Life Index

The OECD Better Life Index ranked 38 countries under 11 topics. Here are some of the topics with a bit of the descriptions:
Safety

Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals, and includes the risks of people being physically assaulted or falling victim to other types of crime. Crime may lead to loss of life and property, as well as physical pain, post-traumatic stress and anxiety. One of the biggest impacts of crime on people’s well-being appears to be through the feeling of vulnerability that it causes.

Feeling safe walking alone at night

According to recent data, about 69% of people in OECD countries say they feel safe walking alone at night. There are major differences, however, between countries. While 85% or more of people in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Switzerland say they feel safe. The level in Mexico is just below 50%, and just below 40% in Brazil and South Africa. Latvia is closer to the OECD average with 61%%.


Jobs

Work has obvious economic benefits, but having a job also helps individuals stay connected with society, build self-esteem, and develop skills and competencies. Societies with high levels of employment are also richer, more politically stable and healthier.

Employment rate

Across the OECD, about 67% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job. Employment levels are highest in Iceland (86%) and Switzerland (80%) and lowest in Turkey (51%), Greece (52%), Italy (57%) and Spain (60%). Employment rates are generally higher for individuals with a higher level of education. Across the OECD, an estimated 82% of individuals with at least a tertiary education have a paid job, compared with an estimated 57% for those without an upper secondary education.


Health

Good health is one of the most important things to people and also brings many other benefits, including enhanced access to education and the job market, an increase in productivity and wealth, reduced health care costs, good social relations, and of course, a longer life.

[...]

Further progress in population health status and life expectancy can be achieved by putting greater emphasis on public health and disease prevention, especially among disadvantaged groups, and by improving the quality and performance of health care systems.

Chronic (non-communicable) diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory conditions and diabetes, are now the main causes of disability and death in OECD countries. Many of these diseases are preventable, since they are linked to modifiable lifestyles. People who do not smoke, drink alcohol in moderate quantities, are physically active, eat a balanced diet, and who are not overweight or obese have a much lower risk of early death than those who have unhealthy habits.

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