The 5 best family friendly countries to live in 2023

If I were to search for the best family friendly countries to live in, a very good idea would to be to search in the Good Country Index, so lets get started with The 5 best family friendly countries to live in 2023…

The Good Country Index

Most articles discussing this topic go by how good it is to live according to GDP per capita, giving you some idea of quality of life according how much you can potentially earn, or they go by how countries treat the environment, citizenship, power of the country, art and culture and so on, but how would it be to go by how good the country is?

The Good Country Index which measures what countries contribute to the world outside their own borders, and what they take away: it’s their balance-sheet toward humanity and the planet.

Wouldn’t it be great to find your spot for your family among one of the top countries on that index, knowing that the spot you chose is doing more for the world than it takes away? If the answer is yes, then let’s look at the top 5 countries on the list at the time this article is written. This can and will change of course so this is just for entertainment purposes only, I encourage you to go to the Good Country Index and browse through it, learn what it is about and maybe find that one and only spot.

But before I dive into the top 5 countries on the list, let’s view what is behind the index. The countries are ranked on 7 attributes, or Science & Technology, Culture, International Peace & Security, World Order, Planet & Climate, Prosperity & Equality and Health & Well-being. These attributes are then further broken down into subcategories which you can see by clicking on each head category, making this a very detailed index.

The Top 5 Countries On The Good Country Index

To spice things up, I am also going to talk about some towns/cities that rank well in each country, but of course, this is to be taken with a grain of salt as these are only suggestions, something for you to think about. I will also add GDP per capita, population and Numbeo quality of life index (the higher the number is, the better).

01 Sweden

Ranking number 1 on the Good Country index:

Science & Technology: 15th.
Culture: 13th.
International Peace & Security: 39st.
World Order: 9th.
Planet & Climate: 2nd.
Prosperity & Equality: 1st.
Health &Well-being: 2nd.
Numbeo quality of life index: 175.10

Sweden is known for its love for coffee, standing in lines, the state-owned alcohol monopoly, excellent educational system and unparalleled music export industry. If you are worried you need to master Swedish before moving, don’t worry, English is their “second language” which has made it hard for many to learn Swedish.

Sweden is also the home country of IKEA, so if you decide to put together a life in Sweden, I wouldn’t be surprised if it came in a neat package, ready to be assembled.

The Basics of family life in Sweden

– Parents are entitled to stay at home for 480 days with each child, with pay (this has though some stipulations).
– Childcare cost about EUR 134 per month.
– Elementary school (age 6 – 16) is ‘free’ (paid by taxes) and everyone is entitled to help if needed.
– You are entitled to 25 days of paid summer vacation.
– Healthcare cost is between 0 – 40 Euros, depending on the county you live in and what kind of doctor you are visiting.
Sweden.se

Stockholm and Solna

Best city to live in would have to be of course Stockholm, it’s the biggest city in Scandinavia, it has charm, culture and character, everything you could want.

If Stockholm isn’t what you were thinking, it would have to be Solna, north of Stockholm. Solna has been voted one of the best cities in Sweden multiple times. It has an impressive job market considering size and Stockholm is right on the doorstep.

Sweden has GDP per capita of $53,652 and population of 10.2 million

02 Denmark

Ranking number 2 on the Good Country index;

Science & Technology: 8th.
Culture: 9th.
International Peace & Security: 57th.
World Order: 8th.
Planet & Climate: 7st.
Prosperity & Equality: 3nd.
Health &Well-being: 4th.

Numbeo quality of life index: 192.64

Ah Denmark, the happiest country on earth, or so they say, let’s see what attributes to said statement. If you are a surfer, you won’t be disappointed as klitmøller is referred to as the “little Hawaii” due to very good conditions to surfing and/or surfboarding.

The Basics of family life in Denmark

– Parents are entitled to stay at home for 52 weeks (365 days) with each child, with pay (this has though some stipulations).
– Childcare cost about EUR 370 to EUR 470 per month
– Elementary school (age 6 – 16) is ‘free’ (paid by taxes) and everyone is entitled to help.
– You are entitled to 6 weeks of paid summer vacation
– Healthcare cost is usually free but there are some fees for example vaccination.

They have twice as many bikes as cars, so if you are into riding a bicycle where ever you go, you’ll be happy to know that Denmark is one of the flattest places on earth. Even the highest mountain they have is called Himmelbjerget (the sky mountain) and is only about 147 m.

They invented the Lego and their flag is the oldest one in the world (or since 1219). All of this and much, much more culminates into the happiest nation on earth.

Copenhagen and Aarhus

Best city to live in are Copenhagen. It is one of the safest cities in the world. They take their air quality very seriously and have come a long way with cleaning the air. It is expensive to live there but the jobs are well paid.

Aarhus is second on the list, but certainly not second to Copenhagen as it doesn’t give an inch when it comes to bustling town life. It has a very active culture and arts scene, if you are a bit of an art buff, then this is definitely one of the places to be.

Denmark has GDP per capita of $52,279 and population of 5.8 million

03 Germany

Ranking number 3 on the Good Country index;

Science & Technology: 27nd.
Culture: 26th.
International Peace & Security: 33th.
World Order: 10th.
Planet & Climate: 13th.
Prosperity & Equality: 12th.
Health &Well-being: 1st.

Numbeo quality of life index: 177.76

Germans are very traditional. If you like castles, they have about 2100 of them, they are quite literally littered around the landscape adn as the country is 1/3 woods, you won’t notice many of them. Germans are well known for their beers and have a really strong tradition in brewing.

Germany is the EU’s largest economy with GDP of about 4 trillion USD and lies in the fourth place in the world behind the US, China and Japan. If you love books Germany is one of the world’s leading book nations, publishing about 94,000 titles every year.

Just a “pro” tip (or as the father of Peppa pig puts it, “Ich bin ein bisschen ein Experte”), be sure to learn German before going, though they can always spot you as an foreigner, they will appreciate it a lot if you talk their language.

The Basics of family life in Germany

– Parental leave can be up to 36 months unpaid and you can’t loose your job. You can also get Parental Allowance which lasts for 14 months.
– Childcare cost about €150 EUR per child per month
– Elementary school (age 6 – 16) is ‘free’ (paid by taxes).
– You are entitled to 20 – 30 office days per year payed, depending on the company you work for.
– Healthcare cost is 25 – 35 EUR but there are some fees for example vaccination.

Berlin and Düsseldorf

Berlin is the city to be if you want the city life. Berlin is very laid back, has a lot of green areas and quite a few of districts that each have their own atmosphere. Berlin has a very active arts and culture scene. Fun fact, Berlin is 9 times bigger than Paris and has more bridges than Venice, so it’s safe to say that whatever you are after in Berlin, you will have no trouble finding your spot there.

Düsseldorf is ranked nr. 6 in the world for quality of life. Düsseldorf has a very big industrial scene, banks, markets, media companies, HQ’s and very good schools. Housing is rare and apartments are expensive. For some this is the place to be as it has a lot to offer.

I have to mention that Germany has many incredible beautiful small towns worth looking into, highly recommend taking a drive through Germany and having a look at the rich culture that Germany has to offer.

Germany has GDP per capita of $52,386 and population of 82.9 million

Read more about How to find your spot in Germany

04 The Netherlands

Ranking number 4 on the Good Country index;
Science & Technology: 11th.
Culture: 7nd.
International Peace & Security: 41th.
World Order: 5rd.
Planet & Climate: 42th.
Prosperity & Equality: 9th.
Health &Well-being: 7th.

Numbeo quality of life index: 197.10

The Netherlands is a fascinating country for many reasons, one of them must be the fact that the land is more than quarter under sea level. They were the first country to allow same-sex marriages in 2001. Dutch people are among the tallest in the world, men are on average 1.84 m and women are 1.70 m.

The Dutch are said to be the healthiest in the world when it comes to diet, despite also eating most licorice in the world, or 2 kilos per person per year. There are more bicycles there than people. CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray were all invented in the Netherlands thanks to the company Philips. If your Dutch is not up to par, they have the highest English-proficiency in the world.

The Basics of family life in the Netherlands

– Parental leave is 6 weeks before birth and 10 weeks after birth.
– Childcare costs is charged‚ €6-8 per hour but the government reimburses a substantial portion of the cost of childcare.
– Elementary school is 8 grades, or from the age of 4 – 12 year old which is free and compulsory. After that they go to secondary school.
– You are entitled to a 4 weeks per year payed which increases over time or what company you work for how much they are willing to give you (not less than 4 weeks though for 40 hour work week).
– Healthcare in the Netherlands is Universal, it is free for children under 18 but the government requires you to buy some basic health insurance. It is best to visit the link and read in detail about it.

Amsterdam and Utrecht

Amsterdam is one of the most sought after cities to live in. It offers incredible culture and social events. This city does not come cheap though, social housing has a waiting list up to 15 years and the rental market is through the roof.

Utrecht is close to both big city life and the countryside. It is safe to say that the city is one of the most beautiful places to live in the country. Utrecht has high living standards and highly educated workforce. Although this town attracts a lot of people, it has its own problems like a housing shortage (it can apparently be worse to find housing in Utrecht than in Amsterdam) which they are working on solving as we speak.

Netherlands has GDP per capita of $56,489 and population of 17.2 million

05 Finland

Finland takes the 5th place for 2023 and Canada falls into 6th place on the Good Country index.

Ranking number 5 on the Good Country index;

Science & Technology: 17th.
Culture: 11th.
International Peace & Security: 63rd.
World Order: 31st.
Planet & Climate: 1st.
Prosperity & Equality: 5th.
Health &Well-being: 18th.

Numbeo quality of life index: 188.33

Finland is famous for its beautiful nature, innovative education system, sauna culture, and world-renowned design and architecture. Finnish people have a strong sense of equality and sustainability, making it a great place to live.

English is widely spoken and understood in Finland, so you don’t necessarily need to learn Finnish to get by. The country is also home to several high-tech companies, such as Nokia, Rovio (creator of Angry Birds), and Supercell (creator of Clash of Clans).

The Basics of family life in Finland

New parents are entitled to 161 days of paid parental leave per child.
Childcare is subsidized by the government and typically costs between €290-€1,000 per month.
Education is free, including university education.
You are entitled to 30 days of paid vacation per year.
Healthcare is affordable, with most services being free or low-cost.

The capital of Finland, Helsinki, is a great place to live with its vibrant cultural scene, stunning architecture, and picturesque seaside views. If you’re looking for a smaller city, Tampere is known for its industrial heritage, while Turku offers a charming historical atmosphere.

Helsinki and Tampere

Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland, with a population of over 650,000 people. It is situated on the southern coast of Finland, and is known for its beautiful architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and proximity to nature. Helsinki has a great public transportation system, which makes it easy to get around the city. There are plenty of things to do in Helsinki, from exploring the many museums and galleries, to taking a stroll through the beautiful parks and gardens. Helsinki is also home to many excellent restaurants, bars, and cafes, making it a great place to experience Finnish cuisine and culture. For those who enjoy the outdoors, Helsinki is surrounded by beautiful forests and islands, which offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling, and water sports.

Tampere is the third largest city in Finland, with a population of over 240,000 people. It is located in southern Finland, about two hours north of Helsinki. Tampere is known for its rich industrial heritage, which is reflected in the city’s architecture and cultural scene. There are many museums and galleries in Tampere that showcase the city’s history and culture, and the city is home to several festivals throughout the year, including the Tampere Film Festival and the Tampere Theatre Festival. Tampere is also a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, with many parks and lakes in the surrounding area that offer opportunities for hiking, cycling, and fishing. The city is well-connected by public transportation, with buses and trams running throughout the day and night.

Finland has a GDP per capita of $50,187 and a population of 5.5 million.

WHAT TO TAKE FROM ALL OF THIS?

Well, first and foremost that we should want to do better, we should give more to the world than we take, which is the reason behind this article as I wanted to raise awareness about the Good Country Index.

Of course this list might become obsolete tomorrow, so do take this all with a grain of salt and do your own research. You should of course visit the country you are most interested in and see if it meets your requirements. There is a good article here on Found My Spot pertaining to this process which I recommend you to read before you make any decisions.

Found your spot yet? If so, then we would love to hear your story, but if you are searching for that one and only spot, be it your profession, calling, a place to live and so on.
Update: this article was originally written in 2021 and has therefore been updated and it is worth noting that the line up of these countries didn’´t change at all according to the Good Country Index.