Index – Abroad – These are the best countries to grow up in

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Norway, considered the best places to raise children, spend more than one percent of their gross domestic product on early childhood education and care. The United States, on the other hand, spends less than 0.5 percent of GDP on this.

In its 2023 global survey, US News asked 17,000 people about how satisfied they are with the conditions of raising children in their country – poked out the Feminine. The ranking is based on how respondents felt about the countries in relation to the following characteristics:

• human rights,
• family friendly,
• gender equality,
• happiness,
• income equality,
• safety,
• well-developed public education and public health system.

Based on the opinion of those interviewed, these are the five best countries in terms of raising children:

5. The Netherlands

In the Netherlands, after the birth of a child, one parent is entitled to 26 weeks of parental leave, which includes nine weeks of paid leave, and the other parent is entitled to 6 weeks of paid leave. Moreover, in Dutch education, the emphasis is not placed on lexical knowledge, but on critical thinking, but cooperation and encouraging the children is also important.

4. Denmark

In Denmark, both parents are entitled to 24 weeks of paid parental leave. In education, children are primarily taught to think, and it is also considered important that students feel good while completing the tasks. Singing and exercising in the open air are also part of everyday school life, and the “trust yourself” attitude pervades their education system.

3. Finland

In Finland, pregnant women can take 40 days of paid leave, and both parents are entitled to 160 days of leave. Finnish education is free, only higher education has to be paid for. The education is characterized by the fact that the children’s own needs and abilities are taken into account as much as possible, and the teachers are not restricted either.

2. Norway

In Norway, parents can choose to take 49 weeks of paid leave or 59 weeks of maternity leave with 80 percent of their salary. The Norwegian education system is completely free. They focus on knowledge that can be applied in everyday life. The basic principle of education is equality, and children are not stressed either.

1. Sweden

In Sweden, parents are entitled to 480 days of paid maternity leave, also in case of adoption. According to the Swedes, society can be shaped through education, which is why they spend a lot of money on it. Education is free, textbooks, equipment, food and travel are also covered by the state.

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