Raking 142 countries across 89 variables, the UK-based Legatum Institute just released its annual Prosperity Index. The countries are rated under eight sub-indexes: the economy; entrepreneurship and opportunity; governance; education; health; safety and security; personal freedom; and social capital.

Although the lists produced very similar results to previous years, some trends showed up that are a bit unnerving. First of all, while Nordic regions are topping the list of most prosperous countries, their economies aren’t doing very well and need to do some catching up.

Another trend was that the world is getting a lot more dangerous with Africa and Middle East witnessing a massive decline in public safety since the survey was first carried out in 2009. While Hong Kong is the safest country in the world, the USA comes in at number 33 with high levels of state-sponsored political violence. Boom – police brutality is an issue, Obama.

The last notable point of information is that while China is rich, it definitely ain’t prosperous. While it came in third for economics, it only landed on the 53rd spot in overall prosperity, losing out on values such as safety and security and on personal freedom. However, in the past seven years it has moved up 21 places to 69th position — the fastest mover on the list.

South Africa ranked at 75, climbing up six places since last year. The best ranking is under the Entrepreneurship & Opportunity sub-index‚ where we rank 37th.

Top 10 Prosperous Countries:

1. Norway
2. Switzerland
3. Denmark
4. New Zealand
5. Sweden
6. Canada
7. Australia
8. Netherlands
9. Finland
10. Ireland

Bottom 10 Prosperous Countries:

142. Central African Republic
141. Afghanistan
140. Haiti
139. Chad
138. Burundi
137. Democratic Republic of the Congo
136. Syria
135. Yemen
134. Sudan
133. Angola

Top and Bottom By Eight Sub-indexes

Economy

Best: Singapore
Worst: Liberia

Entrepreneurship and opportunity

Best: Sweden
Worst: Central African Republic

Governance

Best: Switzerland
Worst: Afghanistan

Education

Best: Australia
Worst: Central African Republic

Health

Best: USA
Worst: Central African Republic

Safety and security

Best: Hong Kong
Worst: Democratic Republic of Congo

Personal freedom

Best: Canada
Worst: Yemen

Social capital

Best: New Zealand
Worst: Togo

[source: cnn&timeslive]