The Swedes may have high income taxes, but in the eyes of their government, it’s a small price to pay for living in such a family friendly country.
In an online post called “10 Things That Make Sweden Family-Friendly,” the Swedish government lists perks such as long parental leave policies, free schooling and baby-friendly public areas.
Internationally, it’s a message that seems to be resonating. The Nordic nation is the world’s best country to raise kids, at least according to the more than 21,000 respondents who filled out surveys for the 2017 Best Countries Rankings. The rankings, formed in partnership with global marketing communications company Y&R’s brand strategy firm, BAV Consulting, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, aim to gauge global perceptions of the world’s biggest economies in terms of specific attributes associated with countries.
Countries perceived to be the Best Countries to Raise Kids, which include other Nordic nations like Denmark and Norway, scored highest in a compilation of eight country attributes: cares about human rights, family friendly, gender equality, happy, income equality, safe, well-developed public education system and well-developed health system. Pakistan and Iran — two countries criticized by human rights groups for their treatment of women — are perceived to be the least ideal countries to raise kids.
Sweden has the kind of parental support policies that inspire envy in places like the United States, which doesn’t have a law mandating paid maternity or paternity leave.
In Sweden, parents are entitled to 480 days of paid parental leave and receive a monthly allowance for their children, according to sweden.se, Sweden’s official website. The government gives adults the right to reduce their working hours until their children turn eight, and in some Swedish cities, such as Stockholm, parents pushing infants and toddlers in prams and pushchairs can take public buses for free.
5. Canada
In Canada, employees covered by the Canada Labour Code are entitled to up to 17 weeks of maternity leave. Those who care for a newborn or newly adopted child are entitled to parental leave of up to 37 weeks. Parents are eligible for employment insurance if they meet certain requirements.
4. Finland
In Finland, expecting mothers can begin their maternity leave seven weeks before their estimated due date, according to the World Economic Forum. The government provides 16 additional weeks of paid leave through a maternity grant and also offers eight weeks of paid paternity leave.
3. Norway
Like other Nordic countries, Norway has generous parental leave policies. Mothers can take 35 weeks at full pay or 45 weeks at 80 percent pay, according to the World Economic Forum. Fathers can take between zero and 10 weeks depending on the salary of their wives.
2. Denmark
Europa, the official website of the European Union, calls the Danish parental leave system “among the most generous and flexible in the EU.” Both mothers and fathers are entitled to 23 weeks of parental leave, and mothers are entitled to four weeks of maternity leave before the expected due date.
1. Sweden
In Sweden, each parent is allowed 240 days of the 480 days of paid parental leave, according to sweden.se, Sweden’s official website. Each parent has two months designated exclusively for him or her, though days can be transferred to a partner.
Want to Know More?
Click below to see the full list of Best Countries to Raise Kids, or visit the U.S. News Best Countries homepage to find news and more rankings. The 2017 Best Countries report and rankings were formed in partnership with global marketing communications company Y&R’s brand strategy firm, BAV Consulting, and The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania.
See the full list of Best Countries to Raise Kids here.
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Sweden Is the Best Country to Raise Kids, Survey Finds originally appeared on usnews.com
