It retained high marks for education and safety (12th), and personal freedom (24th), while slipping slightly in terms of entrepreneurial opportunities, where it lost two spots to 25th.

Moreover, it continues to slide in the rankings measuring the state of the economy, where it placed 63rd, ten slots below last year's rankings.

Norway remains at the helm of the list with Switzerland in runner-up position. New Zealand climbed to third from fifth last year.

Almost two-thirds of the top 30 countries are from Europe, including 16 EU members.

The index is released by the London-based Legatum Institute.