Certain groups of Americans tend to proclaim that the U.S. is the best country in the world, without exception. In reality, this assertion falls apart as soon as one starts considering the concept. Was America ever all that great to begin with?
Historically, the U.S. could better serve its citizens in a number of different areas. Here’s 15 things that other countries do better than the United States:
Universal healthcare: United Kingdom
Our old leaders in the United Kingdom know a thing or two about taking care of their citizens. Every other industrialized nation offers public healthcare for their people, but most of them require some sort of premium or copayment. In the UK, free care is given to all people, regardless of employment or ability to pay.
Education: Germany
Germany’s not content to just educate their own kids: they want to teach your kids, too. While you can go into lifelong debt for a college education in the U.S., German universities offer free tuition to people from anywhere in the world—in English. For comparison, the U.S. carries $1.63 trillion in outstanding student debt as of 2023.
Workers’ rights: Iceland
Iceland’s workforce has made some strong strides in collective bargaining over the years. The Icelandic government has supported workers’ unions in every wage dispute since 1955, leading to public pension schemes, lengthy unemployment benefits (up to 5 years), and strict maximums on overtime hours by day and work week.
Criminal rehabilitation: Denmark
Rather than subject prisoners to inhumane practices like solitary confinement and overcrowded jails, Denmark practices rehabilitation with its criminals, serving short sentences in open prisons where they’re often joined by their families. As a result, the Danish have 10% of the U.S. prisoner population: 73 prisoners per 100,000 residents, compared to America’s 730 per 100,000.
Equal rights for all races: Malta
Malta, a European island country, guarantees human rights for its citizens, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. For contrast, the U.S. political system proposed almost 600 anti-trans bills in 2023 alone, seeking to block basic healthcare and legal recognition for a vulnerable population.
Social equality: Sweden
The Swedish aren’t impressed by riches, celebrity or flashy displays of wealth. Their Law of Jante philosophy insists that no one is better than anyone else.
Public transportation: Singapore
Lots of countries have better public transportation options, including high-speed trains, cheap domestic flights, comprehensive bus systems, and subways. City-states like Singapore and Hong Kong are notoriously well-connected places, eliminating the need for a car in most cases. Countries like Spain and South Korea also have extensive train systems to get you where you need to go.
Gun control: Australia
Believe it or not, the modern mass shooting epidemic in the U.S. is unique to its borders. While most other countries have stricter gun laws than we do here, Australia put its money where its mouth is, virtually banning assault weapons after a mass shooting in 1996. The country hasn’t suffered a tragedy like it in the last 27 years.
Mind their business: Switzerland
Switzerland continues its long history of military neutrality. While the U.S. has engaged in war for virtually its entire existence, the Swiss haven’t participated in a foreign war since signing the Treaty of Paris in 1815.
Abortion access: Thailand
At least 45 countries offer better abortion access to women than the U.S. does. Thailand is one example, offering abortion without limits for health-related reasons like parental health, fetal impairment and rape.
Livable minimum wage: Luxembourg
Traditionally, a country’s minimum wage is intended to provide enough money for one’s basic needs, such as food and shelter. The minimum wage tends to rise with inflation, insuring that citizens get earn enough to care for their needs. Luxembourg offers the best minimum wage in the world: $2,641 per month for unskilled workers, $3,169 for skilled workers. Federal minimum wage in the U.S. is $1,160 per month as of 2023.
Social safety net: Belgium
Belgium believes that everyone can live with dignity, regardless of factors like poverty, mental illness or disability. Any resident can benefit from their social welfare system, regardless of personal contribution. These benefits include guaranteed income for elderly and handicapped, sick leave for all, and workers compensation.
Free meals for kids: Estonia
We believe that children deserve to eat at school, regardless of whether they can pay. While Republican senators in Minnesota and North Dakota voted against free school lunches in 2023, Estonia guarantees free food for all students in K-12 schools.
Elder care: Costa Rica
Growing old in the U.S. can drain a family’s assets quickly, with even assisted living costs averaging $4,500 per month. Compare this to Costa Rica, where assisted living costs start at $2,000 for shared room, daily meals, and 24-hour nursing care. On top of this, the country’s universal healthcare scheme prevents vulnerable citizens from going bankrupt after major illness.
