You're reading: Ukraine ranks 68 in prosperity

Ukraine scored “strong” in education and entrepreneurship but ranked “poor” in standard of living in the 2008 Legatum Institute Prosperity Index, an American consulting agency.

The index, which tracks the economic competitiveness and comparative livability of 104 prospering countries, ranked Australia first and Ukraine 68th, amongst the lowest of European nations.

The index tallied the prosperity of countries based on 44 criteria: competitiveness, political situation, healthcare, environment for wellbeing, etc.

Ukraine ranked high in the economic indicators but its quality of life indicators sunk it to the bottom half of the index.

Ukraine ranks in the middle among post-Soviet countries. Its highest marks were market growth and quality of education. However, quality of life is quite low. Ukraine’s healthcare system is much to be desired and local governance is weak, the report said.

Especially low was Ukraine’s performance in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS, according to the index.