The Nordics are the Best Countries in the World for Raising Kids

Several Nordic countries consistently rank high as the best places to be a child, with Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland often cited as top contenders. The Nordics are the best countries in the world for raising kids.

Unicef recently published a list of the best countries in which to be a child. The Netherlands placed first. Denmark came in second. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Nordic nations of Denmark, Sweden and Norway are viewed as excellent locations to raise children by international survey respondents.

Copenhagen certainly scores well on the “popsicle test”, which assesses the safety of a place according to whether an eight-year-old can walk to a shop on their own, buy a lolly and return safely.

The Nordic nations generally excel in providing a strong foundation for child well-being, encompassing physical and mental health, access to quality education, and a supportive social environment.

The strength of a country’s social safety net may offer clues about the quality of life in that nation. For example, The Scandinavian countries Denmark, Sweden and Norway have spent more than 1% of their total gross domestic product on early childhood education and care. Danish children enjoy wonderful freedoms and protections, and are indulged by city planners.

Nordic countries like Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland are known for their robust social safety nets, including generous parental leave policies, affordable or free healthcare, and quality education systems.

A companion to the overall 2024 Best Countries rankings from U.S. News, the 2024 Best Countries for Raising Kids rankings are drawn from a global survey of almost 17,000 people. The rankings are based on how respondents perceived countries in relation to eight specific attributes: cares about human rights, family-friendly, gender equality, happy, income equality, safe, and having well-developed public education and public health systems.

The Danish education system is highly regarded for its innovative teaching methods and commitment to student well-being. It includes both public and private schools, with public schools being tuition-free.

This said, the joy of going to school is waning, and too many children feel alone and left out. Multiple children and youth are affected by poor mental health and illness. For some children and young people, the challenges are significant. Despite several efforts, 47,000 young people between the ages of 16 and 24 are still neither in employment nor in education.

The Nordic countries prioritize child well-being in their policies and social structures, leading to high levels of life satisfaction among children. Nevertheless, although the Nordic countries may be the best places in the world to grow up, we still meet challenges.

The Nordics are the Best Countries in the World for Raising Kids, written by Tor Kjolberg. Feature image (top): © Media Photos/iStock.