02 Denmark  :cheers:

Denmark is no. 2 for the third year. The tiny country ranks first in entrepreneurship and opportunity, based on high levels of social equality, high connectivity and the world's lowest start-up costs.

03 Australia  :cheers:

Australia has moved up from fifth place in 2009, the result of excellent education, an efficient government bureaucracy and booming trade in natural resources.

04 New Zealand  :cheers:

New Zealand ranks no. 2 in governance, education and personal freedom. No country ranks higher in tolerance for immigrants.

05 Sweden  :cheers:

High levels of political participation and social equality combine with environmental protection and 123 mobile phones per 100 people to create a tech-savvy socialist paradise.  ABBA, Volvo, H&M, Ericsson, Lasse Larsen

06 Canada  :cheers:

The most prosperous nation in the Americas, Canada ranks first in personal freedom. As befitting a giant landmass with only 30 million people, Canada is very tolerant and welcoming.

07 Finland  :cheers:

As with its Scandinavian sisters, religion is an afterthought in Finland, with just 13% attending church; yet it ranks 3rd in education and entrepreneurship.

08 Switzerland  :cheers:

Number 1 in governance, 2nd in health and economy. Sticking with the Franc rather than going Euro has helped make Switzerland a bastion of stability in shaky Europe right now.

09 Netherlands  :cheers:

A robust democracy with broad civil liberties and lots of social cohesion, 90% of the Dutch report deriving daily enjoyment from their natural surroundings.

10 United States  :cheers:

An excellent place to start a business, the U.S. also ranks no. 1 in health, a function of high immunizations, clean water and the highest levels of gov't spending on healthcare.