Finland has, for example, the best environmental quality in the world. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Finland is the fourth-best country in the world, according to the 2019 Social Progress Index.

Finland takes first place in environmental quality and in access to basic drinking water.

Finland also scores best in adult literacy rate and political rights.

An area where Finland needs to develop most is gender parity in secondary enrollment (rank 112).

“Finland needs to take care of the quality of education and research. This requires putting emphasis to our education system so that it will remain internationally competitive and that it supports the structural change of labor market better than before,” says Asko Kauppinen from economic consulting group Deloitte in a statement.

“In addition, we should search for ways how to help and motivate those children and youth who are not supported to study by their families. We should especially find ways together to stop young men dropping from education, “ Kauppinen concludes.

Ten Best Countries in Social Progress Index 2019

1. Norway

2. Denmark

3. Switzerland

4. Finland

5. Sweden

6. Island

7. New Zealand

8. Germany

9. Canada

10. Japan

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