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Exactly my point. I wonder by your comments how often you travel to the USA. I have been to Sweden and the USA many times, in fact, my husband works for a Scandinavian company.

Living cost are much higher in the Sweden than in the USA. Even with the lower US$, American pay a much lower percentage of their paycheck for things like food and housing. When I travel to Sweden and Denmark I can't believe how high the prices are for hotels and restaurants. Also, things like liquor and petro prices are incredible.

And, further to the standard of living, the weather in Sweden is awful, except for about two months of summer (if you have a really good summer!)

There is a reason why more Swedes live outside Sweden than actually live in Sweden. If you subtract Muslim and Eastern European immigration, there is actually a net loss each year to people leaving Sweden to live in other countries.

I agree with everything you’re saying.

Scandinavia is indeed expensive compared to the US.

However, especially in Sweden, most families can afford a standard of living that few people in the US or the rest of Europe or elsewhere can afford.

Do you wish to deny the fact that AN AVERAGE Swedish family owns:

- A well built house in the city/A nice apartment/Condo
- A well built summer house
- A nice powerboat/sailing yacht
- A Volvo V70/SAAB 9-5/Audi A6

From what I’ve understood, All Swedes don’t enjoy this, but the vast majority does.

Americans are better off than Europeans in general, but my conclusion is that Swedish standard of living can compete with that of other rich countries like the US, Norway and Switzerland.

“Winning” this game isn’t important as such, but economics is an important aspect of building true civilization and therefore we OUGHT to compare our own accomplishments as countries to those of other ones in the pursuit of national success.

Certain things I write about Scandinavian prosperity here might annoy some Americans, but I certainly do not mean any disrespect. One of the most impressive aspects of the US is, by all means, the standard of living. Europe in general has a lot to learn from the US in this respect.

However, competition is often something very constructive.

Without the presence of Lexus, BMW, Audi etc, the average Volvo would probably be something resembling a Toyota Corolla.

I have gone to school in the US for 4 years. Its true that houses are built in a very cheap way. If you go outside the bigger places and out to the countryside you have the feeling of traveling 40 years back in time. Also health insurance is covered through taxes in Scandinavia. In the US this is a very big family expense. Also the wage in the US is ridiculous, we probably earn on average about 3 times more. My American friends from college is all earning a minimum. They have work in various fields, but are all struggling to get by. Whereas here in Norway people buy two houses a new car, go on expensive vacations etc.

Back in 1970 the US was way in front of our country when it comes to livingstandard, but now the opposite is true.