Every country has been given a risk ratin out of 100 for all-round stablilty

1. Vatican 99

2. Sweden 99

3. Luxembourg 99

4. Monaco 98

5. Gibraltar 98

6. San Marino 98

7. Liechtenstein 97

8. United Kingdom 97

9. The Netherlands 97

10. Irish Republic 97

US: 22nd equal 93

10. Gaza and West Bank 27

9. Somalia 29

8. Sudan 35

7. Afghanistan 36

6. Ivory Coast 36

5. Haiti 38

4. Zimbabwe 38

3. Chad 38

2. Democratic Congo 38

1. Central African Republic 39

Iraq: 10th equal from bottom

A one-year investigation and analysis of 235 countries and dependent territories has put the UK joint seventh in the premier league of nations. The top ten comprise also the Vatican, Sweden, Luxembourg, Monaco, Gibraltar, San Marino, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands and the Irish Republic.

The US lies 22nd and Switzerland, normally associated with wealth and untouchable stability, is rated 17th, losing points in the assessment of its social achievements.