Sweden

By any number of measures, Sweden is one of the most successful countries in the world. Swedes are among the happiest, healthiest, best educated, safest, greenest (environmentally), and most equal -- in terms of gender and social status -- of people. The land itself is beautiful, clean, and full of life-giving water. But it is awfully far north, and most people would agree that Sweden's long, gray, snowy winters are one big factor that keeps this country from getting all As on its report card. Of course, winter sports enthusiasts might disagree; others might say the long winter simply makes a Swedish summer all the sweeter. The World Economic Forum ranks Sweden the sixth most economically competitive country in the world. Sweden's working population tends to labor a reasonable number of hours, with only 1% of people working more than 50 hours a week. This allows Swedes to enjoy a healthy work-life balance that contributes to physical and mental well-being -- all the better for enduring those long winters. - p. 5-6.