For one, that list is almost 4 years outdated. Plus, those aren't "The Best" countries to live in, nor did the UN make a list about that because that factor is totally opinionated. The list you linked is the UN's HDI (not a survey), or Human Development Index, which measures the development of countries around the world. The HDI bases countries on 3 things; GDP (Gross Domestic Product), Literacy Rate/Amount of Education, and Life Expectancy. The scale of HDI goes from 0 to 1.0. No country has reached the level 1.0, but a few are close. As of 2010, the U.S. is ranked 4th in the HDI, with a HDI level of 0.95. Europe has an average HDI level of 0.93, which means it's behind the U.S. The only countries in front of the U.S. are New Zealand, Australia, and Norway. The reason the U.S. is behind those countries is because of the High School dropout rate, and the low life expectancy based on inadequate health care coverage. Though, both these factors are dropping because of education on them. Also, Austria is ranked 25th in the HDI (no where near the U.S.), and has an HDI level of 0.85. So, linking an outdated list on the HDI does not show that the U.S. is a bad country to live in. Personally, I think it's a great country having lived in it for my whole life. I've visited other countries around the world, and there's plenty that are a lot worse than the U.S. Sure, the U.S. has problems, but what country doesn't? Aside from that, I think being an American means that I'm free. I can vote on who I think will run the country the best. I can leave the country when I want. I can choose to get a good education and job. I can choose to believe in whatever I choose to believe in. And finally, I can openly disagree with most, if not all things, and not get severely persecuted for doing so (Freedom of Speech). In conclusion, I think the U.S. is a great country, despite what others think, and I'm extremely proud to be part of it.