Top 10 most prosperous countries in the world

If you are the type that value your freedom of expression as much as health, wealth, and prosperity, then Finland is the place to be...this was in index, ranking the Nordic nation the best in the world...[Finland??? hmnn...]

The 2009 Legatum Prosperity Index, published on Tuesday and compiled by the Legatum Institute, an independent policy, advocacy and advisory organization, ranked 104 countries which are home to 90 percent of the world's population.

The index is based on a definition of prosperity that combines economic growth with the level of personal freedoms and democracy in a country as well as measures of happiness and quality of life.

The top 10 were all also Western nations, with Australia (6th place) and Canada (7th place) both beating the United States, ranked 9th. Britain came in at number 12.

In Asia, Japan was the region's highest ranked country at number 16, followed by Hong Kong (18th place) and Singapore (23rd place) and Taiwan (24th place).

Cambodia came in the 93rd slot while China, with its tight political controls, came in 75th despite booming economic growth.

Top 10 most prosperous countries in the world

• Finland
• Switzerland
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Norway
• Australia
• Canada
• Netherland
• United States
• New Zealnd

In Africa, South Africa came tops at the 51st position. Followed by Namibia at the 63rd place, Tunisia came 68th, WHILE Ghana from the West African Sub Region represented at the 79th position.

Our dearly beloved nation...the giant of Africa, the most populous black nation on the face of the earth...NIGERIA occupied the 98th postion.

And the world's least prosperous country? According to the Legatum Index, it is Zimbabwe, with Sudan and Yemen close runners-up.

The index combines objective data and subjective responses to surveys. More details can be found on www.prosperity.com.