The Economist: Costa Rica is a good place to be born in 2013

Costa Rica is the second-best country in Latin America to be born in 2013, according to a study by the Intelligence Unit of The Economist.

The country ranked 30th worldwide with a score of 6.92, while Chile was first among Latin American nations in 23rd place.

The “Where to-be-born index, 2013” says the publication, “attempts to measure which country will provide the best opportunities for a healthy, safe and prosperous life in the years ahead.”

It takes 11 statistically significant factors into account. “They are a mixed bunch: some are fixed factors, such as geography; others change only very slowly over time (demography, many social and cultural characteristics); and some factors depend on policies and the state of the world economy,” the magazine said.

Costa Rican Communications Minister Francisco Chacón said the survey is the result of “many efforts of many people in many decades.”

El Salvador, in 62nd place, also made the 80 countries list, which ranks Switzerland, Australia, Norway, Sweden and Denmark at the top. Ukraine, Kenya and Nigeria ranked last.