Legatum Rankings: Morocco Tops Safety and Security in North Africa

Rabat – This year’s Legatum Prosperity Index commended Morocco on its strides in preserving the kingdom’s safety and security compared to other North African nations.

At 44^th place, Morocco beats out Tunisia in the national security category by 17 places, meaning the kingdom’s rank approaches European Union states such as Latvia, Estonia and Bulgaria.

The country also scored well on economic quality and natural environment ratings – which is fitting as the report comes at the beginning of COP22 proceeding in Marrakesh.

Overall, the country stands in 101^st place, once measures relating to economic equality, business environment, governance, education, health, safety and security, personal freedom, social capital and natural environment are taken into account.

The index pointed out that Morocco’s rank in personal freedom and governance measures generally rank lower than other European countries due to a “lack of open and functioning democratic institutions.”

Last month, Morocco held its second parliamentary elections since the adoption of the 2011 constitution in the aftermath of the Arab Spring protests. Head of Government Abdelilah Benkirane, of the Justice and Development Party, will retain power for the next five years, according to the election’s results.

New Zealand, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and the United Kingdom took up the top 10 positions in the rankings.

The top Arab country on the list is the United Arab Emirates (41^st). It is followed by Qatar (46^th), Bahrain (67^th), Oman (70^th), Kuwait (71^st), Saudi Arabia (85^th), Jordan (89^th) and Tunisia (93^rd).

Lebanon (105^th), Algeria (111^th), Djibouti (113^th), Egypt (117^th), Libya (136^th), Mauritania (142^nd), Iraq (143^rd), Sudan (146^th), and Yemen (149^th), trailed behind Morocco.