How We Live in Europe: The Czech Republic Surprised, Ranking Among the Best in Quality of Life
How do people live across Europe? Where does economic strength, social security, and a healthy environment come together—and where does quality of life fall behind? A new study brings a surprising answer: the Czech Republic belongs among the countries that perform far better than expected within Europe.
“We often feel that we’re not doing particularly well, but the data shows the opposite,” says Klára Čermáková, co-author of the study. “The Czech Republic ranked very high in terms of sustainable development. And what’s interesting—it scored consistently across all areas of sustainability.”
Czechia: Stable, Balanced, and Surprisingly Successful
The study compared 32 European countries from the perspective of three pillars of sustainable development—economic, social, and environmental—while also evaluating the overall living standards of their populations. The Czech Republic placed among the states with above-average results in all areas, even though domestic debate often leans more critical.
“Czechia has a very solid economic base, a high-quality social system, and a good level of education,” Čermáková explains. “When these factors come together, you get a country where people live well and stably.”
Who Leads Europe—and Who Is Falling Behind
As usual, the Nordic countries such as Sweden, Finland, and Norway performed best, maintaining high levels of prosperity and sustainability over the long term. However, the placement of several other countries is noteworthy. For example, Slovenia ranked among the best-rated Central European nations and surpassed a number of Western European states in the overall results. Poland also did well, improving its position thanks to rising living standards and investments in infrastructure.
By contrast, Spain and Germany ranked lower than expected. According to Čermáková, Germany’s position is affected by the high energy intensity of its industry and a slower green transition, while Spain is dragged down by economic inequalities and youth unemployment, which fully manifested after the pandemic.
“It’s clear that economic wealth does not automatically translate into quality of life,” Čermáková points out. “Countries that have long neglected social cohesion or environmental protection are now losing their advantage.”
Sustainability and Quality of Life Go Hand in Hand
The study also confirms that living standards and sustainability are closely linked—the more balanced the development, the better the conditions for life. It’s not only about economic indicators but also health, access to education, social security, and air quality.
“Sustainability isn’t just about ecology, but about how well we maintain balance between work, health, and society,” Čermáková says. “And that is precisely something the Czech Republic has managed surprisingly well in recent years.”
A Europe Full of Contrasts
The map of results still shows Europe divided into a more developed north and west and a south and east that are steadily catching up. However, the differences are shrinking, and new players are emerging—countries that are managing to grow more evenly than before.
According to Čermáková, these trends reflect how life in Europe truly looks: “The numbers in our analysis aren’t just about economics. They tell the story that quality of life doesn’t emerge overnight—but wherever there are long-term investments in education, innovation, and a healthy environment, people simply live better.”