Although Australia's political mother, Prime Minister Julia Gillard, is a single woman who has never been married and never had kids, the country down under is still one of the best places to be a mum.

Australia is on 10th place of Save the Children's yearly Mother's Index which covers 176 nations. The release by the international NGO of the index is timely since a number of countries are observing Mother's Day on Sunday, May 12.

The top 10 list is dominated by Europe, with the last slot going to Australia, the only non-European nation in the list. On the top spot is Finland, while on the opposite end, the worst place to be a mum is in Cote d'Ivoire, preceded by 9 other African countries.

Here is the top 10 list for good places to be mothers:

1. Finland

2. Sweden

3. Norway

4. Iceland

5. The Netherlands

6. Denmark

7. Spain

8. Belgium

9. Germany

10. Australia

Since May 12 is a Sunday, countries such as Australia which celebrate Mother's Day on that day will have more chance to observe it since it falls on a weekend. Families celebrate it in different ways such as sending mum flowers, treating her to lunch or dinner, or calling her if the children live far.