Here's where your province ranks based on quality of life

Thursday, July 28, 2016, 1:02 PM - Quality of life in Canada differs significantly depending on where you live in the country, a new study suggests.

The report published by Ottawa-based Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) shows Alberta ranks first in Canada, with a quality of life comparable to countries like Switzerland or Denmark.

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Courtesy: Dima Utgoff -- Jasper National Park, Alberta

Seeking to replicate the United Nations human development index (HDI), a globally recognized measure of socio-economic well-being, the study shows where provinces and territories would rank on an international scale.

The HDI is a composite tool that combines information on three major elements: life expectancy, education and gross national income.

Overall, Canada places ninth on the 2015 UN index of 188 countries, which was based on data obtained in 2014. While this may seem impressive, the CSLS report notes the ranking glosses over regional variations in the country and as a result, they calculated the HDI for each province and territory.

While Alberta takes the cake, ranking fourth in the world, Nunavut falls into last place in Canada and overall, takes the 46th spot internationally with a quality of life similar to that of Latvia or Croatia.

Courtesy: Jay Clark -- Pangnirtung, Nunavut

"Although most Canadian provinces and territories achieve impressive ranks in the international context, evidently Canada's overall (human development index) masks substantial variation among the different regions," the CSLS paper notes.

"Our report highlights the diverse human development experience of Canadians."

Here is a breakdown of how Canadian provinces and territories would rank internationally:

Courtesy: The Canadian Press

• Alberta: 4
• Ontario: 8
• British Columbia: 11
• Saskatchewan: 12
• Quebec: 12
• Northwest Territories: 15
• Newfoundland and Labrador: 16
• Nova Scotia: 22
• Yukon: 22
• Prince Edward Island: 23
• Manitoba: 23
• New Brunswick: 25
• Nunavut: 46

As for life expectancy, British Columbia is the top-ranked Canadian region, while Nunavut is last. Nunavut also places last for average educational attainment, where Yukon has the highest level. 

Quebec is No. 1 for expected years of schooling, and for gross national income per capita, Northwest Territories ranks first and Prince Edward Island last.

SOURCE: Study 

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