The Blubber

Sweden is the No. 1 country for affordability, safety and overall quality of life, per CNBC.

Sweden claims the top position in global rankings for factors like affordability and safety, among others.

According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Sweden is approximately 20.9% lower on average than in the United States. Additionally, the cost of renting is substantially lower, coming in at 57.5% less.

Sweden is renowned for providing free healthcare and college education, as reported by U.S. News and World Report.

The Swedish population enjoys one of the world's lengthiest life expectancies, averaging at 82.8 years, based on data from the CIA World Factbook.

The nation boasts an exemplary parental leave policy, granting parents 480 days of paid leave upon the birth or adoption of a child. In cases where two parents are involved, each is entitled to 240 of these days.

Norway secures the second spot globally in terms of quality of life.

The nation is a pioneer in promoting gender equality, as outlined by the CIA World Factbook.

Norway's parental leave policy allows parents to share caregiving responsibilities for their child at home for a period of up to 49 weeks at full salary (or 59 weeks with 80% of their salary).

Moreover, Norway provides a monthly allowance to families starting a month after a child's birth and continuing until the child turns 18, assisting with the expenses of raising children.

Norway's life expectancy at birth reaches 82.75 years, and it has consistently ranked among the world's top 10 happiest countries on the World Happiness Report since 2013.