USA brags about it itself like a narcissistic arrogant child constantly, but the reality is in just about every conceivable measure its the worst developed Western country to live in
Economics
1. Education: Access and Affordability
While the U.S. boasts top universities, access to quality education is deeply unequal. Student debt is a major burden, and public education varies drastically in quality. In contrast, most Western nations offer affordable or free higher education and more equitable systems overall.
USA americans are less informed than other western or european countries on geography and politics.
2. Economic Opportunity: Equal Access Drives Real Wealth
Contrary to the popular myth that high-tax, welfare-oriented societies stifle innovation, Scandinavian countries have a higher number of billionaires per capita than the U.S. This surprising statistic was highlighted in a recent video, which credited the phenomenon to universal access to high-quality education, among other social investments. In places like Sweden, Finland, and Norway, students receive free or low-cost education from primary school through university — regardless of family income. This enables talent from all backgrounds to flourish, creating a broader base of entrepreneurs, engineers, and innovators. In contrast, the U.S. model often restricts educational opportunity through exorbitant tuition fees and student debt, limiting upward mobility for many. True capitalist success stories are arguably more likely to emerge when opportunity is genuinely accessible — not gatekept by wealth.
3. Business Freedom: Not as Free as You’d Think
The U.S. ranks only 25th globally in business freedom/capitalism indexes — behind many of its Western peers.
Despite its free-market reputation, the U.S. has high regulatory hurdles, concentrated corporate power, and increasing inequality — all of which hinder true market competition.
4. Workplace Surveillance: Privacy at Risk
American workers are subject to extensive workplace surveillance, from monitoring emails and keystrokes to tracking locations and productivity metrics. These practices are banned or heavily restricted in most of Europe, where privacy protections are much stronger.
HEALTH
5. Food Quality: International Bans on U.S. Beef
The quality and safety of U.S. food, especially beef, are often questioned by global standards.
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The European Union has banned imports of U.S. beef treated with growth hormones since 1989 over health concerns.
📄 CRS Report | Wikipedia Overview -
Australia enforces strict biosecurity laws that limit U.S. beef imports. Cattle must be verified as born and bred domestically to reduce disease risk.
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Following a 2003 mad cow disease (BSE) outbreak, Australia imposed further restrictions on U.S. beef — many of which remain in place.
📄 More on Australia’s beef policy
These bans aren’t arbitrary — they reflect broader concerns over U.S. food production standards.
6. Health Outcomes: Among the Worst in the West
Multiple studies and data sources show that people in many European countries live 2–3 years longer on average than Americans, and in some cases even more.
Key Data:
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Life expectancy at birth (2023 estimates)
(According to OECD, World Bank, and WHO data)
That’s a 6-8 year gap in many cases—not just 2–3 years.Country Life Expectancy United States ~76.4 years France ~82.4 years Germany ~81.2 years Spain ~83.3 years Italy ~82.9 years Sweden ~83.1 years Switzerland ~84.0 years Norway ~83.2 years
Why the U.S. Lags Behind:
Several well-documented reasons include:
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Lack of universal healthcare – European countries have stronger public health systems and preventive care.
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Higher poverty and inequality in the U.S., including racial disparities.
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Gun violence and opioid overdose deaths are far more common in the U.S.
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Obesity and chronic diseases – The U.S. has among the highest obesity rates in the developed world at 38%.
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Lower investment in social welfare and family support systems (e.g., paid leave, housing, food assistance)
Cardiovascular deaths . USA has the higest per capital death rate from haert diswase among wealthy nations . worldlifeexpectency
Japan, by comparison, has far better health outcomes — including lower rates of obesity and longer life expectancy. Its connected to education and a less profit over people society.
📺 Watch: Why Japan is Healthier
7. Healthcare Access: High Cost, Low Returns
The U.S. spends more per person on healthcare than any other country — yet outcomes are often worse. Millions remain uninsured or underinsured. In most Western nations, healthcare is universally accessible and far more affordable. Often leading to bankruptcy for many people , Obama struugled to get Medicare into legislation and its still being pushed back because of devisive politics that isnt about voters over profit.
SAFETY NETS
8: The West’s Stronger Social Safety Nets — A Foundation for Stability
One of the clearest and most consistent differences between the United States and other Western nations is the strength and reach of their social safety nets. While the U.S. provides limited welfare support and heavily means-tested programs, most Western European countries, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand offer universal or near-universal support systems that help people through unemployment, illness, disability, childbirth, and retirement.
In countries like Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, citizens benefit from universal healthcare, guaranteed parental leave, affordable childcare, subsidized higher education, and long-term unemployment support. These systems are not just about compassion — they are designed to keep people from falling into poverty, reducing inequality and supporting overall economic stability.
The United States, by contrast, relies more on private charity, employer-based benefits, and limited public programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and Social Security. These are often difficult to access, underfunded, and stigmatized. As a result, Americans are more likely to go bankrupt from medical bills, fall into poverty after job loss, or struggle to balance work and caregiving responsibilities. According to OECD data, the U.S. spends less on social welfare as a percentage of GDP than most of its Western peers — despite being one of the richest countries in the world.
Moreover, social safety nets in other Western countries are viewed not as “handouts” but as investments in human wellbeing and economic productivity. For example, Nordic countries consistently rank high in global happiness and economic competitiveness — a testament to the long-term benefits of robust social protections.
OECD Social Expenditure Database: According to the OECD, public social spending in member countries averaged around 21% of GDP in 2022. Countries like France and Italy allocate over 30% of their GDP to social welfare programs, while the United States spends approximately 16.1%, slightly below the OECD average. OECD+3North South News+3OECD+3
9: Homelessness in the United States — A Crisis of Scale
As of January 2024, over 770,000 Americans were experiencing homelessness on any given night . This figure represents a significant increase from previous years, highlighting a persistent and worsening crisis. The majority of these individuals are concentrated in states like California, New York, Florida, and Washington, where housing shortages and rising costs exacerbate the problem.WikipediaThe Guardian
Homelessness in the U.S. is primarily driven by structural socio-economic factors rather than individual issues like mental illness or addiction. Cities such as Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles exhibit homelessness rates up to five times higher than areas with lower housing costs, despite having similar levels of poverty and substance abuse . This disparity underscores the critical role that housing affordability plays in determining homelessness rates.Wikipedia
In contrast, many Western countries have implemented more effective housing policies. For instance, Finland has adopted a "Housing First" approach, which prioritizes providing permanent housing to the homeless without preconditions. This strategy has significantly reduced homelessness rates and is considered a model for other nations .
10. Paid Leave and Work-Life Balance: Western Countries Lead the Way
While the U.S. is known for its work-driven culture, it lags behind nearly every other Western nation when it comes to paid holidays, paid maternity leave, and overall work-life balance.
Paid Maternity Leave: In stark contrast to countries like Sweden, Finland, or France, which offer months of paid parental leave, the U.S. has no national policy requiring paid maternity leave. In fact, American workers are often left to rely on short-term disability or unpaid leave, putting financial pressure on families at one of the most critical times of life.
Paid Holidays: Most Western countries mandate a minimum number of paid holidays and vacation days — a far cry from the U.S., where the average worker receives far fewer paid days off. Countries like the UK, Germany, and France offer several weeks of vacation, ensuring employees have more time to recharge and spend with their families.
Work-Life Balance: Countries in Scandinavia and other parts of Europe prioritize employee well-being, with policies that promote shorter workweeks and better time off. As a result, citizens of these countries enjoy greater work-life balance, fostering not only better physical and mental health but also higher overall happiness. Meanwhile, the U.S. remains entrenched in a culture where overwork is often celebrated, leading to burnout and decreased life satisfaction.
11. Women's Rights: More Freedom and Protection Abroad
The rights of women in the U.S. have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, especially with the erosion of abortion access. Many Western countries not only provide better healthcare services for women but also offer stronger protections for gender equality and reproductive rights.
Abortion Access: In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade eliminated federal protections for abortion, leaving the decision to individual states. This has created a patchwork of laws, with many women in certain states facing significant barriers to reproductive healthcare. In contrast, Western European countries, Canada, Australia, and most Scandinavian nations provide universal access to abortion services, often with less stigma and greater protection in law. These countries typically have broad policies that allow women to make decisions about their bodies without fear of criminalization or excessive regulation.
Gender Equality: Western countries, particularly in Europe, have made significant strides in gender equality. The U.S. has a longer road ahead in closing the gender wage gap and improving access to leadership roles for women. Meanwhile, many European countries are leading the charge with family-friendly policies, equal pay laws, and higher female representation in both business and politics
SECURITY and SAFETY and the "law".
12: Drug Use in the United States — A Public Health Emergency
The U.S. leads the Western world in drug-related deaths. In 2023, approximately 110,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, equating to a rate of 32.8 per 100,000 people . This rate is more than 27 times higher than in countries like Italy and Japan, which have the lowest drug overdose death rates among wealthy nations .WikipediaUSC Today
A significant driver of this crisis is the opioid epidemic, fueled by the proliferation of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. In 2021, synthetic opioids were involved in nearly 64% of all drug overdose deaths in the U.S. . This surge has overwhelmed public health systems and led to widespread societal impacts.WikipediaWikipedia
Contrastingly, countries like Portugal have adopted progressive drug policies, such as decriminalization, focusing on treatment and harm reduction rather than punitive measures. Since implementing these policies, Portugal has seen a decline in drug-related deaths and a shift towards viewing addiction as a public health issue .Time
13. Mass Incarceration: The World's Highest Rate
The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the Western world — and globally. It imprisons more people per capita than any other developed nation.
📄 World Prison Brief – Incarceration Statistics
This crisis reflects deep systemic issues in criminal justice, including racial disparities, harsh sentencing laws, and a for-profit prison industry.
14. Public Safety: Wealth Doesn’t Guarantee Security
Despite its military power and surveillance infrastructure, the U.S. does not offer the sense of safety that many other Western nations do. Surveys consistently show that Americans feel less safe walking alone at night compared to residents of countries like Norway, Switzerland, or the Netherlands. Gun violence is a major contributor to this — the U.S. has by far the highest rate of firearm-related deaths among developed countries. Mass shootings, in particular, have become tragically routine, creating an underlying sense of fear in everyday settings like schools, malls, and public events. In contrast, most European nations experience far lower rates of gun crime, thanks to stricter regulations and broader social safety nets that help prevent violent crime in the first place.
15: United States of America is no on human rights Watchlist
The United States' recent deportation practices have raised significant human rights concerns, leading to its inclusion on Human Rights Watch's watchlist. A notable case involves the deportation of over 200 Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act, despite El Salvador not being their country of origin. These individuals were subsequently detained in El Salvador's notorious Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT), a high-security prison known for its inhumane conditions and overcrowding. Reports indicate that detainees are subjected to prolonged solitary confinement, inadequate medical care, and limited access to legal representation. This situation has prompted legal challenges, with federal judges criticizing the administration's actions as unlawful and lacking due process. The U.S. Supreme Court has intervened, halting further deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, emphasizing the need for adherence to constitutional protections and international human rights standards. These developments underscore the growing scrutiny of U.S. immigration policies and their alignment with human rights obligations.
POLITICO+1Human Rights Watch+1The US Sun
https://time.com/7266334/us-human-rights-watchlist-civil-liberties/
16. Transportation: The U.S. is Built for Cars, Not People
In most of the Western world, people can rely on efficient, accessible public transportation. Whether it's the trains in Germany, the metro in Paris, or buses in Scandinavian cities, residents can move freely without needing a personal vehicle. The U.S., by contrast, is heavily car-dependent, especially outside a few major urban centers like New York or San Francisco. This dependency isn’t just inconvenient — it has serious implications for the environment, public health, and social equity. Many Americans are forced to own and maintain a car just to access basic services or commute to work, creating financial strain and leaving those who can’t drive — such as the elderly, disabled, or low-income individuals — isolated or disadvantaged. Meanwhile, Western Europe and parts of East Asia offer a blueprint for how integrated, people-friendly transit systems can transform cities and improve quality of life.
17. Democracy in Decline: The U.S. Is Becoming an Outlier
While the U.S. often brands itself as the world’s leading democracy, many political scientists and democratic watchdogs now classify it as a “flawed democracy.” In fact, the U.S. ranks lower than nearly every other Western country on democratic health indices, due to growing political polarization, voter suppression, gerrymandering, and institutional gridlock. The system increasingly fails to represent the will of the majority — with issues like abortion rights, gun control, and climate policy consistently polling in favor of reform, yet stagnating in Congress. The influence of money in politics and a two-party system dominated by extreme partisanship have further alienated the public. The rise of far-right populism, epitomized by figures like Donald Trump, has only accelerated this decline. His influence continues to reshape the Republican Party and erode democratic norms, with ongoing efforts to undermine electoral integrity and the rule of law. In comparison, many European democracies function with proportional representation, multiparty systems, and higher voter turnout — offering more nuanced representation and stability.
18. Happiness: Scandinavia Leads the Way
Scandinavian countries like Finland, Denmark, and Sweden routinely top the World Happiness Report due to strong public services, social equality, and quality of life. In contrast, the U.S. rarely cracks the top ten.
📺 Watch: Why Scandinavians Are Happier
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Although the U.S. lags behind much of the Western world in quality-of-life measures like healthcare, safety, and social protections, some people from other Western countries still choose to move there. Their reasons are usually specific — often tied to career opportunity, ambition, or access to unique resources.
1. Career Ambitions in Niche Fields
The U.S. remains a global hub for certain industries — especially technology, finance, entertainment, and academia. Cities like Silicon Valley, New York, and Los Angeles offer access to more venture capital, big-budget projects, world-class universities (like MIT and Stanford), and competitive job markets than many Western countries can match. For professionals in these sectors, relocating to the U.S. can provide a significant career boost.
2. Innovation and Entrepreneurial Culture
The U.S. still leads in tech innovation, scientific research, and entrepreneurship. It has a strong venture capital ecosystem, and a culture that encourages risk-taking and bold ideas. Failure in business or startups is often seen as a learning experience, not a career-ending mistake. This openness to innovation is appealing to Westerners from countries where systems can be more conservative, slow-moving, or bureaucratic.
3. Higher Pay (at the Top)
While the U.S. has extreme inequality and high costs of living, it also offers some of the highest salaries in the world for top-tier professionals. If you're in high-demand industries like tech, finance, law, or entertainment, you might earn far more in the U.S. than in Europe, Canada, or Australia. For some, this financial upside outweighs the downsides of weaker social services or political instability.
With this article i wrote quickly, i almost relied exclusively on chatgpt -so if anythings factully wrong let me know and i will correct it.
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