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Denmark is the best country to raise kids

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Raising Kids - Level 4

Scandinavia is the best place to raise children. The top three places on an annual list of the best countries to raise kids are Nordic nations. The list is from the U.S. News & World Report and University of Pennsylvania. Denmark topped the list, Sweden was runner-up, and Norway edged out Canada for third place. The three nations topped the list in 2019. They all have "generous" paternity and maternity leave, free preschool and good education.

The report included the "Best Countries" list. Researchers used "a global perceptions-based" approach to look at data from the World Bank and the attitudes of 20,000 people on four continents. They used 65 different metrics to measure income and gender equality, public education, healthcare, human rights, safety, family friendliness and levels of perceived happiness. Switzerland once again topped this list. Canada was second; Japan was third.

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Raising Kids - Level 5

Scandinavia is the best place in the world to raise children. The top three places on the annual U.S. News & World Report's list of "The Best Countries for Raising Kids" are Nordic nations. The list is compiled in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania. Denmark topped the list, Sweden was runner-up, and Norway edged out Canada for third place. This is not surprising as the three nations ranked highest on the list for 2019. A spokeswoman said these countries tended to have "generous" paternal and maternal leave, free preschool and good overall public education systems.

The report also included the "Best Countries" list. Researchers used "a global perceptions-based" approach in looking at data from the World Bank and the attitudes of 20,000 people in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. They checked countries using 65 different metrics and "country attributes". These included income equality, quality public education and healthcare systems, human rights, gender equality, safety, family friendliness and levels of perceived happiness. Switzerland once again topped the "Best Countries" list. Canada and Japan were in the top three.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Raising Kids - Level 6

Scandinavia has ranked as the best place in the world to raise children. The Nordic region holds the top three places on the U.S. News & World Report's list of "The Best Countries for Raising Kids" in 2020. The list has been compiled annually since 2016 in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania. Denmark topped the list, with Sweden a close runner-up, and neighbour Norway edging out Canada for third place. The 2020 listings will come as little surprise as the three nations also ranked highest on the list for 2019. A spokeswoman explained: "These countries tend to have generous paternal leave and maternal leave, offer free preschool and have good overall public education systems."

The listing was released as part of the annual "Best Countries" list. This survey adopted "a global perceptions-based" approach in examining data and attitudes. It used research from the World Bank, as well as the opinions of 20,000 people in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Researchers tested countries against 65 different metrics, or what the researchers called "country attributes". These included income equality, well-developed public education and healthcare systems, human rights, gender equality, safety, family friendliness and levels of perceived happiness. Switzerland once again topped the "Best Countries" list, followed by Canada and Japan.

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson



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