The World in 2005

According to predictions released in November 2004 by the respected London-based Economist magazine in their report The World in 2005 Ireland would be the 'best place to live' in 2005. This prediction seems to be confirmed by an article in the International Herald Tribune of 10 November 2004 under the title: N.Y.'s Irish tide is flowing home.

In their annual "quality of life" index of 111 countries, the Economist used surveys to gauge "life satisfaction" as determined by nine major factors, most importantly income, but also health, freedom, unemployment, family relations, community life, climate, gender equality and political stability and security.

The data used were compiled by sources including the magazine's own Economist Intelligence Unit and the United Nations. "Family life" was judged by divorce rates, gender equality by comparative salaries for men and women, and political freedom by an average of civil and political liberties.

When I read the above information I found it very interesting. Readers of my articles would know that I named Ireland as one of the three top Jurisdictions of Choice for your business and yourself. And that was based on research done more than five years ago! Here's a short extract from my article:

One of the major factors for the emergence of Ireland as a top jurisdiction for investment was the Irish Diaspora.  They left Ireland at a very high emotional cost at a bad time in Ireland’s history.  However, they were the first to invest heavily in Ireland when the conditions became favourable.  Perhaps, one day, the South African Diaspora will also be seen as heroes of its country.

Can a government's determination to provide an excellent infrastructure and incentives to companies and individuals, plus no exchange control, in exchange for reasonable corporate and personal taxes create an economic boom as well as quality of life? Absolutely, and Ireland proved it!

I quote from the Herald Tribune article:

"For generations we Irish have fled oppression and poverty to New York in the hope of a better way of life; now it seems we just want to buy the place," Tim O'Brien wrote in The Irish Times in a Sept. 23 article about "the latest big thing" - "how affordable property is for the Irish investor."

"The old tradition that you come to America and you work like hell and you save, and you go back and the almighty dollar will give you a kick start - that's all over," said Flannelly, the Irish Radio Network chairman.

My personal choice for Jurisdiction of Choice, Switzerland, predictably scored high in the Economist survey.

The top 20 countries in the survey are: Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, Luxembourg, Sweden, Australia, Iceland, Italy, Denmark, Spain, Singapore, Finland, US, Canada, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Japan, Hong Kong, Portugal and Austria.  The UK made number 29.

Sadly, last on the Economist's index, the rating for the country with the worst quality of life in the world went to Zimbabwe. "On the basis of what people themselves say about life satisfaction."

I quote from an editorial of Buzzle.com on Zimbabwe's poor rating:

"Yet just a few years ago the country was admired as one of the sparkling jewels in Africa's crown, blessed with natural resources, well-educated people, stability and freedom."

I deliberately didn't comment on South Africa's rating at number 92, nor on an Economist article entitled: 'South Africa – Running to stand still' as I have been accused of exaggerations and half truths by some South Africans when I suggest that you should move your business and yourself to a Jurisdiction of Choice. Granted, it calls for a tremendous mind shift. But look at the Economist's index, think about it, and start planning your move. If you follow through you'll find that you can visit your beloved "turf" as often as you like, while you enjoy entrepreneurial freedom and quality of life in your Jurisdiction of Choice.

Kind regards.

Philip de Bruin