Helpful Kiwis Rank Among the Best

Wednesday, 28 October 2009

NZ has ranked highly in an international study of wealth and happiness, but its citizens are not quite as happy as the Australians, according to a survey by a London based think tank, the Legatum Institute.

Nevertheless, Kiwis are among the best in the world for volunteering to help others.

The survey found Finland was the happiest nation followed by Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. 

NZ finished 10th on the Institute's prosperity index, behind Australia, Canada, Holland and America.  The survey assessed 104 countries measuring a country's prosperity based on 79 variables including material wealth and quality of life.

NZ performed averagely in economic fundamentals (27th out of 104) but was ranked first in social capital.  "Trusting and willing to help strangers, close-knit New Zealanders display the highest level of social capital of all countries surveyed."

NZ also ranked well in entrepreneurship and innovation, democratic institutions, education, health and safety and security.