uncertainty. These markets are increasingly
offering good value when compared to neighbouring alternatives.
According to the Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development, the Eurozone
poses the greatest risk to prosperity and may
have fallen into a persistent stagnation trap’.
However, the report points out that the
Eurozone crisis has not been resolved and
geopolitical risks are rising, in the Middle East,
but also now in Ukraine and parts of West
Africa. “Aside from their potential impact on
oil supply and global economic stability, these
risks may also increase demand for safe haven
assets as seen in 2009.”
Retirees best off in Switzerland,
report finds
Switzerland has been named the top country
for safety and comfort for retirees, getting excel-
lent marks for quality of life and health care.
The news comes from the French investment bank Natixis. Its Global Retirement
Index considers 20 factors in four categories
(health, quality of life, finances in retirement
and material well-being) and then ranks 150
countries in terms of the retirement security
they afford.
In all four domains Switzerland comes off
extremely well. Concerning health the
country gets top grades, which cannot only
be ascribed to the high life expectancy of the
Swiss but also to the top-notch healthcare
system. In the quality of life index, Switzerland
ranks particularly high in the section for water
quality, biodiversity and habitat. Income
equality, employment and income per capita
are also criteria in which it ranks high.
Finishing No. 2, Norway provides universal
healthcare to citizens and has a sound financial
www.theaddressmagazine.com
339