Most governments legally require companies to offer a certain amount of payed vacation days. One study, No-Vacation Nation, showed the number of payed vacation days required by law, in the 21 wealthiest countries. Norway sat near the top of study with 5 work weeks of paid vacation which is legally required. Only France offered more payed vacation, 6 weeks. The United States is the only one of the 21 wealthiest country that does not have a law on the number of paid vacation days offered by companies. Japan and Canada, with the second lowest amount of legally paid vacation days, offered two weeks minimum. U.S. law also makes no provisions for national paid holidays, as is also the case in Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
There are still other issues that I believe impact the standard of living which are not covered in the Human Development Report. The World Prison Population List displays the number of jailed population per 100,000 people. The United States has the highest prison population rate in the world, 756 per 100,000 of the national population, followed by St. Kitts & Nevis (714), Seychelles (709), U.S. Virgin Is. (539), Barbados (521), and Cuba (510). Norway has only 72 inmates per 100,000 of the national population.
Then there is the very socialistic economic and social model used by the Norwegian government. The Nordic Model explains the complexities and contradictions of their government. Although to explain it in easier terms, Norway maintains a Scandinavian welfare model with universal health-care, subsidized higher education, and a comprehensive social security system.
However, this socialistic economy and social model do come at a high cost to Norwegians. The tax rate before deductions in Norway is around 40%, which is on pace with the United States at 42%. The main difference comes with sales tax, or as Norway calls it value added tax. In Norway, the standard rate of VAT is 25 per cent. In the case of domestic sales, VAT is calculated on the sales price. The rate of VAT on the supply of foodstuffs is 14%. Foodstuffs means any item of food or drink or any other goods intended for human consumption.
Knowing and understanding the culture and economy of your language's country can keep you interested in learning and provides you with a context when you begin reading and digesting more native content.
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