Scandinavia has ranked as the best place the world to raise children. The Nordic region holds the top three places the U.S. News & World Report's list of "The Best Countries Raising Kids" in 2020. The list has been compiled annually 2016 in collaboration the University of Pennsylvania. Denmark topped the list, Sweden a close runner-, and neighbour Norway edging Canada for third place. The 2020 listings will come as little surprise as the three nations also ranked highest the list for 2019. A spokeswoman explained: "These countries tend to have generous paternal leave and maternal leave, offer free preschool and have good overall public education systems."
The listing was released as part the annual "Best Countries" list. This survey adopted "a global perceptions-based" approach examining data and attitudes. It used research the World Bank, as well as the opinions 20,000 people in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Researchers tested countries 65 different metrics, or what the researchers called "country attributes". These included income equality, well-developed public education and healthcare systems, human rights, gender equality, safety, family friendliness and levels perceived happiness. Switzerland once again topped the "Best Countries" list, followed Canada and Japan.
