| 1 |  Sweden2014 top 10 overall rank (version 1.0)| 2014 rank | Country | | 1 |  IrelandDescriptionThe Good Country Index is a composite statistic of 35 data points mostly generated by the United Nations. These data points are combined into a common measure which gives an overall ranking, and a ranking in seven categories:
The concept, and the index itself, were developed by Simon Anholt. The Index was built by Dr. Robert Govers with support from several other organisations.
The top three countries in the 2014 list were Ireland, Finland and Switzerland. Nine of the top 10 countries in overall rankings are in Western Europe, while Canada tops overall rankings in North America. The last three countries on the list are Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan.MethodologyTesting and methodThe Index attempts to measure the global impacts of national policies and behaviors: what the country contributes to the global commons, and what they take away. The Index utilizes 35 data points, five for each of seven categories. These data points are produced by the United Nations and by other international agencies, with a few by NGOs and other organisations.
Countries receive scores on each indicator as a fractional rank relative to all countries for which data are available. The category rankings are based on mean fractional ranks of the five indicators per category. The overall rank is based on the average of the category ranks. This yields a common measure which gives an overall ranking, a ranking in each of the seven categories, and a balance-sheet for each country that shows at a glance how much it contributes to the world and how much it takes away.Categories and indicatorsScience, Technology & Knowledge
Culture
- Exports of creative goods relative to GDP
- Exports of creative services relative to GDP
- UNESCO dues in arrears as percentage of contribution
- Number of countries and territories that citizens can enter without a visa
- Freedom of the press
International Peace and Security
- Number of peacekeeping troops sent overseas relative to GDP
- Dues in arrears to financial contribution to UN peacekeeping missions as percentage of contribution
- Attributed number of casualties of international organised violence relative to GDP
- Exports of weapons and ammunition relative to GDP
- Global Cyber Security Index score
World Order
- Percentage of population that gives to charity as proxy for cosmopolitan attitude
- Number of refugees hosted relative to GDP
- Number of refugees overseas relative to GDP
- Population growth rate
- Number of treaties signed as proxy for diplomatic action and peaceful conflict resolution
Planet and Climate
Prosperity and Equality
Health and Wellbeing
The Economist's Daily Chart questions the validity of some of its results. It notes that scaling countries on a GDP basis skews it in favor of poorer countries, and that the interpretation of certain parameters is flawed, but also calls the index "a worthwhile pursuit by imagining how countries might compete when they aim to serve others."
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