The United States is one of the worst countries in the world for family.
A new research study by the travel site Asher & Lyric revealed that the US has been named the second-worst wealthy nation to raise a family.
Out of more than 35 countries, America was ranked 34 in comparison with the world’s biggest economies, scoring three F grades for safety, cost of living, and work-life balance. In terms of health, America received a D- and a C+ for happiness and education.
Overall, it was given an F grade for raising a family, with only Mexico ranking worse.
“The first time I looked at the data, I was in disbelief,” co-founder Lyric Benson-Fergusson told The NY Post regarding the findings in the “Raising a Family Index” (RAFI).
She started the site with her husband, Asher Fergusson, to help people stay safe, healthy, and happy at home and while traveling.
This year’s findings were analyzed by 35 OECD countries data (part of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development forum) according to safety, happiness, cost, health, education, and time.
“I think if we, as Americans, are truly honest with ourselves, we might understand why the United States ranks solidly as the second-worst country to raise a family,” said Benson-Fergusson.
The study revealed that the US is the only country that doesn’t require employers to offer maternity leave. In addition, families are spending more than 31% of their income on child care compared to the 4 to 10% spent by Scandinavian nations.
When it comes to safety, the study found America reportedly tops the list in school shootings with 288 incidents from 2009 to 2018. To put that in perspective, Mexico placed second at eight and all other countries recording zero, per the study.
“I have come to the heartbreaking conclusion that America is a deeply challenged and troubled country,” Benson-Fergusson lamented. “It doesn’t, and maybe never did, line up with its own ideology.”
“My aspiration is that something will substantially change in my children’s lifetime,” she said.
So, who ranked the highest? According to Asher & Lyric, the best country to raise a family is in Iceland, followed very closely by Norway.