The best places to be born in 2013

The U.S. doesn't crack the top 10.

By Parenting Magazine Dec 5, 2012 4:49PM

Not that one can choose such things, but The Economist has published a ranking of the best and worst countries to be born in for 2013—and the U.S. isn't No. 1.

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The index averages rankings from 11 geographic, social and economic factors. Switzerland ranked first and Nigeria ranked last. And the US? America came in at No. 16 behind Germany.

When The World created a Where to be Born index way back in 1988, the U.S. ranked first.

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Also ranked in the top were Nordic countries, Australia and Singapore; nations in Africa and eastern Europe came in last.

Here's the top 10 list.

Best places to be born (from The Economist):
1. Switzerland
2. Australia
3. Norway
4. Sweden
5. Denmark
6. Singapore
7. New Zealand
8. Netherlands
9. Canada
10. Hong Kong

Photo: Moodboard/Getty Images

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247Comments

Newest

Dec 6, 2012 8:09PM

The best and worst places to be born in the world depend very heavily on three things:

1. your gender

2. the color of your skin

3. how much money your parents have

That's the bottom line, isn't it?

Previous replies

zorrro

Dec 6, 2012 8:00PM

They say in Cuba , doctors have developed a new technique for starting a baby's first breath. Instead of slapping the baby's bottom to start that first breath, they now whisper in the baby's ear "You have been born in Cuba" and the baby automatically cries and cries and cries.

Previous replies

flyingspinner

Dec 6, 2012 7:52PM

it is not the nices thing to be born in Switzerland if you happen to be a foreigner, an 'ausländer' as they call it. They are very Xenophobic people in general. Schade...

Previous replies

Timber0

Dec 6, 2012 7:52PM

I've been to Switzerland several times and I am proud of my Swiss heritage. I'm here to tell you, it's a nice place to visit but....

Putting them number one delegitimizes the whole survey.

Previous replies

jimboinhawaii

Dec 6, 2012 7:47PM

Hmm interesting. Switzerland the best place to be born. Where every home and apartment is required to have a fully automatic machine gun to protect the homeland. Kind of blows out the guns kill theory we hear from the brady group and democratic party.

Previous replies

rybeccabray04

Dec 6, 2012 7:47PM

This is such anti US BS journalism (jealousy as usual)... I've traveled the globe many times over and I can truly say THANK GOD I was born in the USA!

Previous replies

jim jim

Dec 6, 2012 7:47PM

Countries with social programs and gun control. Wake up USA.

Previous replies

jamminraisin

Dec 6, 2012 7:46PM

I guess many people in the world don't want to live in the Old West where shoot-outs took place at sunset and everybody/every gunslinger was armed. I remember when the Old West became civilized, there were towns where anyone carrying a gun wasn't allowed in, or they have to leave their firearm outide the town. You can tell how emotionally off-whack people are about guns. They are hysterical that Bob Costa spoke his opinion. How dare he?! Doesn't he realize that guns/violence are our only form of "entertainment." Check the movies and TV. FULL of violence, serial killers, shooting--more and more. Well, get your jollies that way people, because the real thing might be aimed at you next and we'll find your body shot, sliced, and diced. Maybe you'll be in a movie about it. Notice by the way, that killers faces are in the news every day--fame! The victims--seldom do you see them. Isn't it nice too that there are guns that shoot multiple rounds non-stop. We are so in trouble! Now where were those nice places to live?? How many murders occur there daily?

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The best places to be born in 2013

The U.S. doesn't crack the top 10.

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