{"id":17139,"date":"2014-06-26T16:08:00","date_gmt":"2014-06-26T08:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=17139"},"modified":"2014-06-26T16:08:00","modified_gmt":"2014-06-26T08:08:00","slug":"putting-the-great-in-the-great-white-north-why-living-in-canada-is-so-great","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2014\/06\/26\/putting-the-great-in-the-great-white-north-why-living-in-canada-is-so-great\/","title":{"rendered":"Putting the \u201cGreat\u201d in the Great White North: Why living in Canada is so great"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"ShutterStock<\/a>
ShutterStock image<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From being sixth in United Nation\u2019s 2013 Happiness Index Report<\/a>, Canada is now ranked the third happiest country in the world out of 34 polled countries according to the \u2018Better Life Index\u2019 released by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in May 2014.<\/p>\n

According to OECD\u2019s 11-point index\u2014which includes income, education, housing, health, and life satisfaction\u2014Switzerland topped the list, followed by Norway, and then Canada.<\/p>\n

In the OECD index, Canada garnered an overall score of 7.6 points\u2014tied with Denmark. The report stated that 88% of its population said they are in good health (third highest in the world) and only 4% of employees work long hours (the 11th lowest in the polled countries).<\/p>\n

Employed Canadians also reported having an average of US $30,212 annual disposable per capita income\u2014the highest out of 34 countries in the study. Canadians also live an average of 81 years\u201417th<\/sup> highest in the list.<\/p>\n

Canadians\u2019 net financial wealth also exceeded US $63,000\u2014the highest of any nation in the study, which makes a lot of sense because the study also showed that a lot of Canadians are employed and \u201cless likely\u201d to be unemployed.<\/p>\n

\"Toronto<\/a>
Toronto (ValeStock \/ ShutterStock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These figures may seem all high and serious, but these values are just some of the reasons why living in Canada is great. To some, the figures mean more vacation time with the family, a new computer or phone for the kids, one or more date night for the month. To some, it\u2019s simply numbers and squiggles.<\/p>\n

Despite the fact that it\u2019s never just about the money, it is safe to say that being financially capable contributes to overall satisfaction and ultimately\u2014happiness.<\/p>\n

When asked if they had someone they could count on in emergency situations, 94% of Canadians said they have a \u201cperson\u201d (\u2018Grey\u2019s Anatomy\u2019 fans will get that). And at 94%, Canada\u2014as always\u2014is at the top of the list as well.<\/p>\n

As an employee, Canadians\u2014in general\u2014have it pretty good: decent working hours, one of the highest employment rates and disposable per capita income. But other than having more dough, Canadians have more to be proud of.<\/p>\n

And I\u2019m not talking about thick-cut Canadian bacon. Or poutine.<\/p>\n

\"Calgary<\/a>
Calgary (Grant \/ ShutterStock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

KnowsWhy.com<\/a> noted that Canada is a great place to live in because of its excellent health care system.<\/p>\n

Run by the government, its health insurance system is 100% free and preferred by most residents.<\/p>\n

The indigent citizens can also avail of the public health system because it is covered by public funds. Filipinos all over Canada can attest to this wonderful fact\u2014something we lack back home. I\u2019ve heard stories from friends of mine who moved to Canada who are now enjoying its superb healthcare benefits.<\/p>\n

Elderly Canadians also enjoy full benefits since the government makes sure that they have their medications free of charge.<\/p>\n

Other than an excellent health care system\u2014both for locals and immigrants, the cost of living in Canada is considerably lower compared to other countries.<\/p>\n

The food products are very affordable, which is why the country barely suffers from poor nutrition.<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s low population density also makes it possible for legal immigrants to find a decent paying job. This is why Canada has one of the highest immigration rates in the world and the nation continues to maximize this influx of diverse manpower in order to boost its economic and demographic development.<\/p>\n

\"Vancouver<\/a>
Vancouver (Romakoma \/ ShutterStock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to NatWest International Personal Banking<\/a>, British expats believe that Canada provides the best quality of life around the world.<\/p>\n

92% of English expats in Canada rated Canada as \u201cvery good\u201d or \u201cexcellent\u201d in terms of their working environment and 90% when it comes to all-over financial security.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the second year Canada has topped the tables of the NatWest IPB Quality of Life Index. Its excellent working conditions, financial security and peaceful reputation have pushed Canada into this year\u2019s pole position. As a member of the Commonwealth, Canada offers Brits common values and goals shared with the UK, helping British expats settle into the country and feel at home,\u201d said Dave Isley, head of NatWest, to an interview for the Telegraph UK.<\/p>\n

Whether for business or for pleasure, Canada surely delivers more than just basic necessities. The Great White North continues to share its innate greatness with anyone who is seeking a better life halfway around the world or just above the border. With these factors in mind, together with the rest of the world, Canadians believe that they will continue to push forward and emerge on top, confirming that indeed\u2014Canada knows how to put \u201cgreat\u201d in the Great White North.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From being sixth in United Nation\u2019s 2013 Happiness Index Report, Canada is now ranked the third happiest country in the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":17142,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1482,3],"tags":[5970,6002],"class_list":["post-17139","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-breaking","category-lifestyle","tag-canada-day","tag-july-1","mauthors-ching-dee","mauthors-philippine-canadian-inquirer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17139","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/44"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17139"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17139\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17139"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17139"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}