Certain individuals in a country are ready to pay high tax rates if their needs for health care, education, and other things are met. Meik Wiking, the head of the Happiness Research Institute, has said that Danes see paying taxes as an investment in their quality of life. Wiking says that it is very important that their government can keep that promise.
A poll of more than 17,000 people around the world found that Denmark is the best place to raise children. The Best Countries for Raising Kids rankings are based on how people in those countries felt about eight things: caring about human rights, being family-friendly, having an environment that supports gender equality, being happy, having equal incomes, being safe, and having well-developed public education and public health systems.
According to U.S. News, the overall 2023 Best Countries rankings are based on the same global poll that looks at dozens of other factors.
What makes these countries the best to raise a family in the world in 2023?
The coronavirus has put a spotlight on how difficult it is to raise children and juggle a job at the same time. Lack of free or cheap child care was a problem before the pandemic, so this is something you should definitely consider when relocating with kids. So, the ranking below draws from a global viewpoint and ranks countries based on scores from a compilation of different country attributes:
Safety, childcare cost, happiness, health, schooling, maternity, paternity leave.
1. Iceland
Not only is Iceland known as one of the best places in the world to be a mum, it’s also the world’s best place for working parents, thanks to the flexibility and perks both parents enjoy when it comes to raising kids. Icelandic parents enjoy more time with their children. Close to 90% of fathers take their mandatory 3 months’ paternity leave, and study shows that Icelandic dads continue to be involved in their kid’s childhood. Whether they are at work or schooling, mothers and babies are welcome everywhere – even in parliamentary sessions. The reason for this is pragmatic: babies need to stay close to their mums during this crucial time of development.
Beyond the newborn stage, Icelandic parents have access to a wealth of activities and venues that make it easier to bring their children around. By simply including their kids in as many of their life experiences as possible, the precious moments and memories they share allow children to bond naturally closer with their parents.
Mums and dads learn to balance their work and social commitments while staying involved in their children’s growth. Free from any pressure to choose between family and work, parents share child rearing responsibilities while having the space and time for themselves to grow as individuals.
You have made a great choice by Raising a family with kids in Iceland.
2. Denmark
The Scandinavian country is known for its excellent track record in terms of child care, safety standards, and enabling infrastructure, that’s why it is on our list of best places for moving with kids. Citizens with per capita GDP of over $52,000 are more than happy to pay higher taxes as they are getting the best setting for the upbringing of children. Safety, care about human rights, environment for gender equality and a well-developed public education system are among the reasons that brought Denmark to one of the best countries to raise a family list.
Some of the reasons behind are government promoting gender equality by giving earnings-related day care system and a very flexible parental leave policy. Working hours are short, and it’s totally OK to leave work at 3 or 4 o’clock to pick up your kids. There’s a good system for early childhood health. A nurse visits your home when your child is a baby. Later, there are monthly checkups with a doctor. If your child has the sniffles, you can take off work and stay home with her. The first two days are paid time off.
And, of course, there’s the day care system. It’s not free, but it’s fairly priced, and it’s nice to be able to drop off your kid in a safe place with trained people while you go to work.
You have made a great choice by Raising a family with kids in Denmark.
3. Sweden
Human rights and the environment are both great in Sweden, a country with 10 million people. With a GDP per person that is almost the same as US$53,000, the country has one of the highest standards for child safety and the best health and education systems in the world. Moving there with kids is a great idea.
People say that Sweden is a great place to start a family. The Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Forsakringskassan) makes it possible for parents to spend more time with their kids. When a child is three years old, they get 525 hours of free care a year. Paid parental leave is also part of the system. Each child gets 480 days of paid leave, which is guaranteed at 80% of the parents’ income.
Both parents should take an active role in raising their children. This includes taking time off work to care for a sick child or to go on paid maternity leave. Parents can switch days with each other or share them.
You made a great choice to have kids and raise them in Sweden.
4. Finland
Many people agree that Finland is one of the best places in the world. With all the risks in the world today, like war, crime, and terrorism, being safe and sound is the most important thing for any family moving with kids. Parents worry most about their children’s safety above all else. Knowing you live in a country that is known for being safe makes this worry less important.
New mothers can choose to either receive a baby box – a container holding many essentials for taking care of a baby, which can also double as a crib, which all mothers living in Finland can apply to receive. If the family doesn’t need this package, they can ask for a tax-free payment of 140 euros per baby, which is paid for by the Finnish government. The government also gives a paid maternity leave of 4 months-not only for regularly employed mothers, but also those who are self-employed, students, and even unemployed. And if that isn’t enough, “rainbow families”, or same-sex families are able to avail of these benefits.
The fees for state child day care (varhaiskasvatus) depend on the family’s income. The highest fee of municipal early childhood education is US$340 (€288) for the first child and US$170 (€144) for the second child. The lowest fee is US$32 (€27) per child.
You have made a great choice by Raising a family with kids in Finland.
5. Norway
Norway is considered one of the most environmentally suitable places for kids. The westernmost country in the Scandinavian Peninsula, with a population of over 5 million, is known for its highly advanced health and education facilities. With per capita income of over US$74,000, the Norwegian are providing a perfect ecosystem for the general growth of kids in the happiest environment – great to know when you are relocating with kids.
Another reason why Norway is a very good place to raise your children is due to the fact that children’s’ development and care are prioritised. Children of all ages get to play outdoors to help boost their imagination, while every city in Norway offers a variety of activities for families. Children in Norway begin attending kindergarten at the age of one, right after parental leave ends. This is known as barnehage and children usually go to one in their municipality. There are also different types of kindergartens, based on how many hours a day you need childcare, so you have several options to choose from, amid which such where you can interact with other parents while your children are playing.
Your family always comes first in Norway and companies understand this, so they are very considerate when it comes to your taking care of your children when they get sick. Moreover, all children under the age of 16 are eligible to free medical care, including dental care, so there’s no cause for concern if you and your family are moving to Norway.
You did the right thing by deciding to raise your kids in Norway.
Settling in and enjoying your new life
Some kids will be able to change quickly, but others may need more time. Skype, Zoom, and FaceTime are all good ways for your child to stay in touch with friends back home.
Clara’s daughter was able to help by writing letters. “Very few of these were sent, so I think she was just figuring out how she felt, and this was the best way for her to do it.”
To keep a familiar routine, Clara’s tip is to continue doing sports and hobbies your child already likes, “In our case this has been football and swimming, which has also given them a chance to meet children away from the school environment.”
