The term “standard of life” describes the amount of money, comfort, requirements, and material items that are offered in a specific location. It is directly related to (and frequently used synonymously with) the standard of life, which is typically believed to encompass both the same indicators of prosperity as the standard of living and also include physical and mental well-being and wellness.
There is no widely accepted method for gauging the quality of living and condition of life because they are general but also vague concepts. However, this has provided statisticians the chance to develop a wide range of intriguing equations, surveys, and systems that make the futile attempt to reduce the standard of living (or, in rarer cases, quality of life) to a single number.
The concept of quality of life can encompass intangibles such as political stability, employment security, individual freedom, and environmental quality in addition to the fundamental concepts of wide access to bread and housing, quality education and healthcare, and jobs that will support us. These nations provide their inhabitants with excellent care throughout all stages of life.
Switzerland
Switzerland occupies a small territory in Central Europe which extends over 16,000 mi2 of lakes, valley and Alps, As a defensive coalition of cantons, the Swiss Confederation, as its technically known, was founded in 1291. When a new constitution was adopted in 1848, the Confederacy was turned in a central federal governmental system which marked the end of a period of conflict when Confederation broke away from the Old Roman Empire in 1499. The nation has remained largely calm since that time.
One of the richest nations on earth, its neutrality has long been acknowledged. It has one of the greatest GDP per capita in the world, a lower unemployment rate, and a population that is well educated, based on the CIA Global Factbook. The nation’s strong economy can be attributed to a number of factors, including low corporation taxes, a well-developed service industry driven by economic services, and high-tech manufacturing.
Switzerland also receives good marks for security and healthcare, making it a popular place for immigrants to settle. Switzerland is the most comfortable nation in Europe and among the top nations worldwide due to its ideal ratio of income to disposable money.
The most recent Economic Survey of Switzerland by the OECD identifies various win-win strategies that can reverse these trends by increasing the labor force and skill levels while promoting inclusive growth (OECD, 2017):
It would be easier for moms to keep a career path and raise their hours if daycare costs were to decrease. Women’s skills would be better utilized, which would increase productivity. Likewise, by switching to taxing individual incomes or taking other analogous actions, the tax system’s disincentives to work additional hours should be eliminated.
To guarantee that employees remain to maintain and adjust their abilities as the economy develops at an ever-faster rate, lifelong learning participation should be actively encouraged. Overall, there is considerable engagement in ongoing education and training among Swiss employees, but it is not widespread and heavily favors individuals with high educational attainment. Subsidies for employees from categories with low involvement rates should be made available to guarantee that fellow employees are not left behind.
Encouragement and support for workers to put off retirement can lessen economic pressures and help offset the consequences of aging on growth. To preserve the system’s financial viability, pensions reform is urgently required. The new system should have higher retirement ages that are indexed to life expectancy, as well as increased incentives to work more hours. Healthy working lives could be extended by encouraging the use of preventative health programs, career planning, and customized job-search support.
Denmark
Both North Atlantic island kingdoms, Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark, which was established in the tenth century. It is a portion of Scandinavia, a region of Northern Europe with a rich cultural heritage that also comprises Sweden and Norway.
Because of its progressive taxation, Denmark has a universal healthcare system that essentially offers its citizens free medical care. There is also free higher education available. Tourism, Food processing, and the production of steel, iron, and equipment are its three main sectors.
Unsurprisingly, Denmark’s highly progressive socioeconomic system encourages great social mobility. This may explain why Danes routinely grade highly in global assessments of happiness and satisfaction, citing their excellent work-life balance as a key factor.
According to numerous worldwide studies, the Danes are among the world’s happiest and most contented people. This seeming sense of well-being is sometimes attributed to “soft factors” including culture, free time, and family life.
Despite having a solid education and up-to-date knowledge, we maintain a characteristically Danish informality. The Danes have a laid-back and frequently amusing attitude toward authority figures and life itself as a result.
Denmark is home to many international schools, providing your kids with ongoing, top-notch education. The International Business (IB) program is offered by several universities. German, English, and French are the three languages used for instruction, while Danish is still a required subject.
Because distances are low, it is feasible to blend the energy of the city with the tranquility of the stunning Danish countryside and coastline. And whether they’re running through city roads or skipping along forest trails, your kids may explore freely and safely.
There are many lush forests, and the distance to the sea is seldom more than 50 kilometers. With a coastline spanning more than 7000 kilometers, it is not surprising that beach vacations are a significant element of Danish culture.
Both in the countryside and in towns, being healthy is simple. In Denmark, vibrant city life and environmentally conscious thought coexist. Prepare yourself because you’ll soon be joining the Danes in riding your bike to work and cooling off with a swim.
Danish corporate culture lays a strong emphasis on work-life balance, making it among the world’s top family-friendly nations. Due to the fact that all employees are legally allowed 5 weeks of vacation every year, it is simple to plan time with the family and opportunities to go to see relatives overseas. Because most men and women work, there is a need for flexible working hours among employees.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a coastal plain outside of Western Europe that is peppered with windmills as a result of the nation’s growth near the water. For a nation with a demographic of only 17 million, the Netherlands’ economy is robust and ranks as the 18th largest in the world.
The Netherlands has provided about 25% of the EU’s natural gas supply since its supply was discovered in 1959, and their industry has been it is most robust. Their economy has a well-known great GDP per capita ($48,860), a low unemployment rate, and strong international linkages.
According to a 2019 survey, 87.3% of Dutch respondents indicated they were content with their lives. The Netherlands offers a high standard of living and is a desirable destination even for foreigners thanks to excellent educational and healthcare facilities as well as strong levels of social cohesion and openness.
By Train and Bus: The primary most popular modes of public transit in the Netherlands are the train and the bus. An OV-chipkaart (OV-chipcard), a chargeable electronic smartcard accessible at train and bus terminals, as well as some newsstands and supermarkets, is required to use the Dutch local transportation system. The aforementioned stores sell non-personalized cards, while the official OV-chipkaart site (Dutch, English) sells personalized cards and offers comprehensive information on all facets of using the chip card. A five-year use OV-chipkaart is available for 7.50 EUR.
Cycling is an extremely common mode of transport in the Netherlands, as there are more bicycles than people living there. Bicycle lanes are separated from automotive traffic in many Dutch cities, with their signs and lights. The majority of trips taken by Dutch citizens are on bicycles.
The Zorgverzekeringswet (ZVW) healthcare system in the Netherlands is regarded as one of the best in the world. It is financed by a combination of taxes on income and payments for required health insurance. The national social security system does not cover it. The majority of doctors in the nation speak English.
Even if you are a foreigner who is covered in your home country, if you are employed in the Netherlands and paying income tax, you are often required to enroll in a normal Netherlands health insurance plan within four months of your arrival, with a few exceptions. You run the risk of receiving penalties and back-billing if you don’t sign up for health insurance. You must enroll with the local council (gemeente) and get a citizen service number before you can apply for health insurance.
Short-term international students studying in the Netherlands are not necessarily required to purchase health insurance. It is advised to go with a private international healthcare policy from your home country if you do not intend to enroll in Dutch health insurance. The EU Health Insurance Card should be obtained by EU students from their home nation.
You’ll undoubtedly learn even additional reasons why the Netherlands might be the ideal location for your foreign exchange program, to launch a new profession, or to undertake an internship as you study more about the country and life there. You’ll immediately discover that you’re going to adore your new home-away-from-home since the Dutch way of life is so alluring, especially when combined alongside its safety, its accessibility to other Europe cities, its healthier way of life, and its accepting attitude toward foreigners.
Be sure to start your hunt at least three months before moving, as the Netherlands is a well-liked location for exchanging students and young professionals. When you’re ready, visit Housing Anywhere and start looking for the perfect room or apartment right away.
