(QCOSTARICA) Yet another country ranking, this one from the The Good Country Index that measures how much each of the 125 countries on the list contribute to the planet and to the human race through their policies and behaviours.
The Index is a composite statistic of 35 data points which are 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 such as Science and Technology, Culture, International Peace and Security, World Order, Planet and Climate, Prosperity and Equality, Health and Wellbeing.
The ‘Good Country’ concept and the Good Country Index were developed by Simon Anholt. The Index was built by Dr Robert Govers with support from several other organisations, and funded by Simon Anholt.
So how does Costa Rica stand up against all the countries in The Good Country Index?
Overall the country places 22nd. In Science and Technology 61st, 64th in Culture, 35th in International Peace and Security, 25th in World Order, 19th in Planet and Climate, 42nd in Prosperity and Equality and 76th in Health and Well Being.
Tops in the overall rankings is Ireland, followed by Finland, Switzerland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdon, Norway, Denmark and Belgium to round out the top 10.
In last place, 125th on the list, is Libya.
In the North America rankings (working our way down from the north), Canada is ranked 12th, the United States 21st, Mexico 66th, Guatemala 29th, Belize (not ranked), Honduras 94th, El Salvador 85th, Nicaragua (not ranked), Costa Rica 22nd and Panama 33rd.
Continuing south, Colombia is ranked 31st, Venezuela 117th, Brazil 49th, Peru 86th, Argentina 57th and Chile 24th.
What can we expect to do with these results? The Good Country Index says it can be for people to urge their governments to look at the total impact of their policies. It’s no longer enough to provide prosperity, growth, justice and peace to one population alone: the international consequences of every action must be considered. The Good Country Index website says that Economic growth is a good thing, but not if it’s at the cost of the environment or the wellbeing of another country or species. Competition between nations is increasingly looking like a dangerous idea. It’s up to us to tell these things to our politicians, and the Good Country Index can help get the message across.
