Slovenia performed best on natural environment (ranked 1st) and education (ranked 7th - a 15-spot improvment over 2017's ranking) and scored lowest on business environment, although it has gained 15 spots in this segment from last year.

It recorded the sharpest fall, by three places, in health, according to Legatum's report, published on its website.

The London-based think-tank has found that global prosperity continues to grow and has reached the highest point ever, whereas safety and security continue to fall.

What is more, the gap between the most and least prosperous countries is widening and is 10% bigger than in 2013.

Prosperity in the 20 best-performing countries is improving constantly, whereas the 20 tailing the list are often faced with a sudden drop in prosperity.

The index has been topped by Norway for the second consecutive year.

The Legatum Institute compiles the index, which is based on nine different indicators, as it believes GDP is not the right benchmark to evaluate the life as perceived by people. Its vision is to see all people lifted out of poverty.