Since I am born and raised in a country that is part of Europe, I always liked to check and assess what would be to live in any of the countries, not only those part of the European Union, but from the extended Europe. I am referring here to Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and, more recent, United Kingdom, but also countries closer to Romania, like Serbia or Albania. In the ranking collected from Numbeo, there were missing smaller countries like Monaco, Vatican, Andorra or San Marino, which anyway are not that relevant, and also some countries like Montenegro or Moldavia are not part of the reporting. On top of this, because the very delicate geopolitical situation, I have excluded Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. So then there are 34 countries left which have a clearly developed quality of life index. The most important key indicator when it comes to living in a country.

What parameters take into account the quality of life index for the countries in Europe

I was and still am quite tempted to consider purchasing power at least as important, but in the end this parameter is just part from the quality of life index, and being put second, shows that its importance is, indeed, high. But we cannot deny that safety, health care, pollution index, climate index, and so on, represent a significant concern for all of us. So then, the quality of life index remains the main mark up that can evaluate life itself in each country. 🙂

Looking on the above, what can we learn? There are some topics:

• less populated countries, like Luxembourg and Iceland, appear to have a slight advantage, but this should not be that impacting, considering Malta – surprisingly at the bottom of the ranking! – is an even smaller country, and still doesn’t have, at a first glance, a good indicator;
• And then there is The Netherlands – a very dense populated country, with around 17 million inhabitants, takes the second place. With a model followed also by a relatively small but very dense populated country, which is Denmark.
• Generally speaking, in the top 10 there is no significant surprise. Unless one, of course: Estonia. A former Soviet country, but with strong roots and relationship with Finland, so then it’s advancement in this ranking is not that surprising anymore.
• the biggest negative surprises in the ranking are, by far, France and Italy. Two members of the European Union, two main countries in the world, that are now placed 22nd and 24th. Then it is not too hard to figure out why, and the main reason looks to be strictly linked to the disastrous politics followed in the last decades. More over, Italy has a shocking low purchasing power, even comparing to Poland, Czech Republic or Slovenia!

Does the IQ index at country level impact the quality of life in Europe?

Do all the above reflect the “field” reality? Since the numbers are reported out at least partly by inhabitants, it sure does. We may  still ask why The Netherlands is doing so good, and Italy so bad. Why Estonia is so high in the ranking, and Greece so poorly positioned. Is this linked, in any way, with the geographical location, or with the… population IQ? For sure, when you are more exposed to the sun, like the countries from the Mediterranean you get more vitamin D, so then that helps. Also, if you live in a predominant mountain region, you can get extra oxygen developed in your blood cells. But, in the end, these are just base details, that should have influenced the evolution, but which, normally, should have faded away some time back. Not entirely, but mostly. Then what about the IQ?

The Intelligence of Nations provides a good overview for Europe

I can’t state if there is any correlation between the IQ of each population, and the quality of life index, but I did discover a very interesting work that shows the IQ not only in Europe, but in the whole world, at country level. Based, in each case, on local multiple studies, which eliminate almost all, if not all, the potential bias. It is called “The intelligence of nations”, and you can study it here. Until you do that, I’ve simplified a bit the procedure, and made a 34 row ranking, to match the exact same countries presented above. Just out of pure curiosity!

When you have a look on the left, we see a strong correlation in many cases between the quality of life indicator and the average IQ coefficient. For example, The Netherlands is on the same position, but so is Italy. Estonia is on the fourth spot, then we understand better the 9th position from above, but in the same time we see, for example, Hungary ranked 8th! The surprise comes from the other ranking, where they are near the bottom, with a disappointing 27th slot… Another “anomaly” is represented by Spain. Below Italy in the IQ ranking, they have a very solid position in the quality of life index: 10th! In front of Germany which is on the IQ podium, as we can see.

Statista has something to say regarding alcohol / capita

Basically, the conclusion can really be that a real correlation is either very hard to be determined, or many studies need to be held and juxtaposed in the process. We like to study, seek answers, proof and so on. But some times is just sufficient to take the facts as they are, separate. This is why, I have tried to check some other statistics that can be linked in any way with the quality of life index. I found a very interesting one on Statista, regarding the pure alcohol / capita consumption in 2023 – which is the most recent, and I was surprised (not really) to see Romania leading by far.

To “translate” into beer, the almost 17 liters / year are equivalent with around 680 beers at 5% alcohol concentration. Of course, not the beer is the main source, but it is a good enough marker of what this actually mean. I don’t think this statistics are 100% relevant, not even 50% maybe, but at least is a fun fact and can raise a bit of awareness about how certain things impact population.

Photo source: pixabay.com