New Zealand Outperforms Australia, Wealthier Nations In Social Progress Index

New Zealand has emerged as the fifth most socially progressive country in the world. A new report on the Social Progress Index index revealed that the country has outperformed many of the wealthier nations in terms of social progress.

New Zealand was ranked first in the same index in 2014 but the measures have been changed in the process of determining the most socially progressive countries. According to the U.S.-based not-for-profit organisation The Social Progress Imperative, the index measured the social and environmental performance of 133 countries using 52 indicators.

The nations are compared to one another based on access to education, technology, human rights and environmental management, reports Stuff. The key factors that measure the country’s performance are pegged against its gross domestic product.

New Zealand was ranked first for political rights and freedom of expression. The country emerged as the third place with the most access to basic knowledge. New Zealand performed well in freedom of religion, tolerance and inclusion and access to communications.

The country did not do well in terms of basic medical care and access to nutrition due to New Zealand’s high child mortality rate. The report said New Zealand should improve on in the area of environmental sustainability since poor water management was becoming a concern.

New Zealand had outranked Australia, which placed 10th, in the Social Progress Index. The country also outperformed nations like Britain, Canada and the U.S. Norway was declared the world’s most socially progressive country. Sweden came in second place followed by Switzerland and Iceland.

Social Progress Imperative executive director Michael Green said New Zealand’s index ranking was a “fantastic result.” New Zealand performed strongly given the size and wealth of other countries it outranked. The small island nation did well in areas that were the weakest on a global average.

The index showed social progress is considered separate from economic development but there are correlations between them. Some nations with low GDP did well in the index while some more prosperous nations were ranked lower than the less wealthy countries.

To report problems or leave feedback on this article, contact: r.su@ibtimes.com.au