The 8 Countries That Are Doing Most To Help The World

The Center for Global Development released its 2011 Commitment to Development Index.
This unique index measures how well each country lives up to their own potential, with an index that allows small countries to compete with big countries. The score measure's each country's performance in aid, trade, investment, migration, environment, security and technology.
Scandinavian countries dominate the top spots, while the U.S. has a decent showing at fifth. At the other end, Japan and South Korea are the developed countries that do the least to help the world.

#7 Austria (tie)

Score: 6.0 Austria has the best migration policies. It has allowed many unskilled workers find employment and learn skills. It is also a leader in housing refugees during humanitarian crises.
It has nearly no investment policies that help promote development in poor countries.

#7 New Zealand (tie)

Score: 6.0 New Zealand is the most trade-friendly nation. Its policies make it easy for developing nations to export their agriculture to New Zealand.
It has weak environment, technology, investment, and aid policies, pulling its overall score down.

#6 Finland

Score: 6.1 Finland does the most to help preserve the environment reduce carbon emissions.
Its weakness is that it does not allow many poor immigrants into the country to learn skilled jobs.

#5 United States

Score: 6.4 The U.S. does more than any other nation to maintain international peace and help regulate international trade.
But, the U.S. offers very little in the form of foreign aid or environmental help.

#4 Netherlands

Score: 6.7 The Netherlands offer good aid, and have big projects, rather than many little ones that don't necessarily pan out.
The Netherlands has weak technological development policies for developing nations though.

#3 Denmark

Score: 6.9 Denmark actually had the biggest decrease in their score among the top 10.
Trade and investment restrictions eliminate many incentives for shopping and developing abroad.

#2 Norway

Score: 7.0 Norway ranks #1 in investment. It demonstrates leadership with their initiatives and special tax credits.
Its weak point is environment. Norway has a large fishing and fossil fuel industry.

#1 Sweden

Score: 7.7 Sweden dedicates the highest percentage (1.11%) of its economy to foreign aid.
However, one of its biggest weaknesses is security, because they export many weapons to poor and undemocratic governments.