The World’s Most Extreme Countries

Think your country is a world leader? No matter where you live, you’re probably right.

Some of the countries with global superlatives: Japan is the longest-living country, with an average life expectancy of 85 years.ⁱ

Though it’s less than 1 square mile in size,ⁱⁱ Monaco is the richest country in the world.ⁱⁱⁱ (Kinda.)

Because Monaco is a tax haven, almost 1/3 of its tiny population are millionaires,^iv giving it the world’s highest per capita GDP.^v (The U.S., however, remains the country with the highest GDP overall.)

The South American nation of Guyana, meanwhile, has the world’s *fastest growing* economy … thanks to the recent discovery of billions of barrels of oil off its coast.^vi

South Korea has the world’s highest percentage of educated young people.^vii Nearly 70% of South Koreans ages 25-34 have completed some sort of higher education.^viii

The largest military in the world belongs to China, which has 2 million active-duty soldiers.^ix

Finland is the happiest country in the world but there’s a catch.^x Some experts suggest the Finns are the happiest … because they have low expectations.^xi

Papua New Guinea has 840 different languages spoken within its borders, the most in the world.^xii

One poll found Ethiopia has the most people who say religion is an important part of their daily life.^xiii (Though, full disclosure: The poll didn’t include Vatican City.)

Norway frequently ranks as the safest advanced nation in which to drive^xiv … while the safest country overall — apart from tiny nations like Monaco — is Singapore.^xv

Denmark has ranked as the least corrupt country in the world every year since 2018.^xvi

On a lighter note, Switzerland leads the world in chocolate consumption^xvii and the United States drinks more wine than any other nation.^xviii

God Bless America.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

1. Monaco is the richest country in the world, while Guyana has the fastest-growing economy.
2. Norway has the safest streets, while Singapore is the safest nation overall.
3. Finland is the happiest country in the world, and Ethiopia has the most people who say religion is an important part of their daily lives.