These countries are more successful than their neighbors

In a world shaken by geopolitical turbulence and economic crises, certain countries manage to do well, often better than their neighbors. Here are ten emblematic examples!

The northernmost of the Baltic countries displays insolent economic success. A pioneer in the digital economy, Estonia was the first state to offer digital residency and its capital Tallinn is a tech hub.

European integration and a series of reforms enabled this success at the end of the Cold War. Will the prosperity of this state of less than 1.5 million inhabitants survive the increasingly pressing threat from its Russian neighbor?

Between Poland and Hungary, which more often make the headlines, Slovakia has experienced robust economic growth for many years, notably thanks to the automobile industry.

However, the recent election of a pro-Russian and anti-European president, Peter Pellegrini, could cause things to change. The country's political developments are already causing concern among international investors and the departure of young Slovaks abroad.

Neighboring Austria and Italy, small and discreet Slovenia was lucky to escape the terrible war that tore apart the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

In 2022, the country ranked 23rd in the world in the UN Human Development Index (HDI), which summarizes various economic, educational and health indicators. Better than France ( 28th), Italy ( 30th ) and Spain ( 27th )!

On the other side of the Atlantic, in the isthmus of Central America, Costa Rica enjoys relative prosperity thanks to the establishment of numerous multinationals and tourism.

A state without an army, Costa Rica is very committed on the international scene to peace and the promotion of human rights, while investing heavily in education.

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Ranked 42nd in 2022, Chile has the highest HDI level in South America. After a period of dictatorship, the country was able to rebuild democratic institutions and a culture of political stability.

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The most dynamic country in the region, Chile is nicknamed the “jaguar” of South America for its thriving economy. It continues to attract labor from other Spanish-speaking countries.

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Thanks to its political stability and the solid performance of its economy, Morocco has gradually established itself as a leader in North Africa and even across the continent.

However, the Moroccan “success story” should not make us forget certain unresolved problems, such as Islamist terrorism, the thorny issue of Western Sahara and tensions with other states, such as neighboring Algeria.

“African miracle”, “Switzerland of Africa”… there is no shortage of nicknames to describe the discreet but very real success of Botswana, particularly compared to its neighbors Zimbabwe and South Africa.

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A politically stable country with little corruption, Botswana stands out for its prudent management of its diamond and mineral resources, while having gradually developed its education system.

The island located off the coast of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean, can boast of much greater success than its neighbor. Thanks to a stable democracy and a key position between Asia and Africa, Mauritius was ranked 13th out of 190 countries by the World Bank's “Doing Business” index in 2020.

A hub for investments in the region, the country has seen its financial sector develop very quickly to complement tourism, while providing its population with good access to education.

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In a Middle East torn by conflicts, and in particular the civil war raging in Yemen, Oman is seen as a stable state despite a situation that can still be improved in terms of freedoms.

Ranked 54th by the HDI in 2022, this state continues to diversify its economy beyond oil, in particular through tourism. Its investment in education results in high levels of literacy, even among women.

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In the heart of the Pacific and more than 1,500 kilometers from Australia, New Zealand displays discreet but undeniable success in many areas. The country regularly tops rankings for human development and economic freedom.

A leading economy, New Zealand also stands out for its commitment to the environment and the recognition of the rights of indigenous populations.

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