Official Site - The Legatum Prosperity Index is the world's only global assessment of wealth and wellbeing; unlike other studies that rank countries by actual levels of wealth, life satisfaction or development, the Prosperity Index produces rankings based upon the very foundations of prosperity – those factors that help drive economic growth and produce happy citizens over the long term.

Safety & Security Sub-Index

Societies plagued by threats to national security and personal safety cannot foster growth in average levels of income or wellbeing. The Safety & Security sub-index measures countries’ performances in two areas: national security and personal safety. As illustrated in the chart below, the variables in the sub-index are categorised into these areas.

Stable economic environments are necessary for attracting investment and sustaining economic growth. In addition, when citizens worry about their personal safety or whether they will suffer for freely expressing their opinions, their overall wellbeing is diminished. The Safety and Security sub-index combines objective measures of security with subjective survey responses about personal safety. Stability resulting from national security, for example, is a key element in increasing per capita GDP in a country. Similarly, the ability to express political opinions without fear of persecution, and feeling safe walking alone at night, are positively correlated with higher levels of wellbeing.

When people and basic institutions are unsafe and unstable, then capital, investment, and people begin to flee. Scholars have shown that organised political violence such as riots, coups, and civil war, as well as general crime and mistrust stemming from a lack of social cohesion, impede economic growth. In addition, conditions that produce fear and uncertainty negatively affect life satisfaction.

Sub-Index Rankings