Britain ranked 13th best country in world to live – ahead of three major powers

WE’RE all in luck — Britain has been ranked the 13th best country in the world to live.

It earned its place, one spot above the Seychelles, from experts who graded 173 nations based on how well they fulfilled their residents’ basic needs.

Singapore came out on top, followed by Australia and Denmark, with the Netherlands, Estonia, Luxembourg, Norway, Belgium, New Zealand and Germany making up the top ten.

The rankings are part of a research project known as The Statehood Index, analysing the health and power of the state.

Factors such as smooth functioning of courts, police and schools were seen as signs of a well-run state — as were the reliability of the electricity supply and prompt medical appointments.

Political scientist Dr Theresa Paola Stawski, based in Würzburg, Germany, said: “Elsewhere there are famines, epidemics and serious diseases, and almost no medical care. Things we take for granted are not available at all.”

But not all the highest ranking states were traditional democracies — for example, Singapore in first place and the United Arab Emirates in 32nd.

They are states where freedom of speech is restricted but its citizens are well provided for.

France, the scene of recent unrest, was 20th.

The US came 23rd, with Taiwan, 43rd, beating China into 61st place.

At 68th, North Korea was two above Russia in 70th — with Ukraine in 129th following the invasion.

The bottom three — which were all classed as collapsed states — were South Sudan in 171st, Yemen in 172nd, with Libya 173rd.