Why is Scandinavia so expensive? | CNBC Explains

[@roullav]

So this dude traveled to Scandinavia to take a couple of videos of him buying a pastry and having a beer, while the rest of the video was info all graphics... what a nice job

[@r93-g6c]

I know, right?

[@j.f.bastian7118]

Yeah this dude hit the jackpot. An inspiration to all us slackers around the globe!

[@HiLifeFFM]

He probably is a foreign correspondent

[@_loss_]

He's a foreign correspondent which means he probably lives in Scandinavia

[@muatasimahmed5354]

😂😂😂😂

[@quietcorner293]

I met a girl from Norway one time as I was flying back from London. She said her taxes might be high but her wage was too. She paid like 50% but after taxes, she still made the same or better than someone her age in the States. On top of that, her healthcare and education were paid.

[@Anton-ki7ch]

To pay 50% taxes in Norway you must earn like 200k per year usd+. That is like only 0.1% of economically active population that makes that much. The vast majority of people in Norway earn 50k usd +- 15k per year that is around 27-30% of income tax.

[@RijadAlisic]

@@Anton-ki7ch when they say 50%, they mean income tax + ”arbetsgivaravgift”. In Sweden (and I guess in the other Scandinavian countries) this is major distinction, but to outsiders, they only see them together...

[@Anton-ki7ch]

@@RijadAlisic Nobody means by saying "my income tax" income tax + employer tax. The vast majority of people don't know how much their employer pays in taxes. Employer doesn't actually pay that much for their employee. Anyway I think Quiet's story is made up you cannot pay 50% tax even including employeer tax and be an ordinary person. Even FAANG company like Microsoft doesn't pay their software developers in Norway that much while those developers that work for Microsoft in Norway have top 1% of income among the whole economical active population.

[@-Markus-]

@@RijadAlisic Arbetsgivaravgiften IS a part of the salary though, even though most politicians today dont wanna mention that. If our welfare was removed, that money should in all honesty be paid to the employees again, but of course we all know that would never happen. The only thing we can ever know for certain is that no matter what party, politicians or wing sits in government, corruption will always flourish.

[@gulllars4620]

@@-Markus- Dude, since people don't know how much their company pays in Arbeidsgiveravgift, why would they start paying the employees that? They would pay roughly how much they needed to fill the positions they needed filled, and to keep people for a long enough time to offset the cost of training vs productivity, + a little bit. I know we have generally high union membership and fairly strong unions, but it's not what it was 40-50 years ago, and in individual bargaining you only win out if you're especially attractive within your field and care more abound money than a nice place to work and are willing to use that as leverage (and that's not applicable to most people or positions). Benefits granted through the government are not subject to individual negotiation, and you get economies of scale in implementing them for the whole population. As a fairly well above average income earner with higher education, I might have more disposable income in other countries and with lower taxes but covering expenses myself, but looking to the US, just healthcare and insurance would eat a ton and I would have big student debt to pay off rather than my mortgage, and I would have much less life security, impacting what I have to worry about and can focus on in my life. Living in a country where almost all people are secure and well enough off to not worry about going bankrupt from a surprise bill or medical expense changes the atmosphere of society, and that is worth something as well.

[@fjalls]

I Love Scandinavia Last weekend my brother broke his collarbone and his elbow when skating. He is now off from work for 6 months with 80% paid leave and of course he didnt spend anything on health care. My mother have cancer and is 2 years into her treatment also with "salary" and free health care. My nephew just graduated and is on his way to become a doctor, also without any debt. I pay high taxes but i still can afford mortgage, car, vacation trips and so on with money to spare with 5 weeks of paid vacation. Whatever happens to me Im always taken care of because I know my fellow Swedes pays their taxes. I think the fear of being fucked is more detrimental to your well being than anything

[@microcultben5729]

But for how long??How are the money and wellfare going to last when we Save the hole fuckin world :(

[@fjalls]

Microcult Ben it was just like this during the balkan war. An expense that turned into an asset

[@Boolama27]

Yeah but it's farken cold and dark most of the year. Give me the sunny hot weather and amazing beaches of Aussie any day!!

[@fjalls]

kiwicant thats the biggest downside. But cause of my 5 weeks vacation i can escape to warmer places during winter 😊

[@microcultben5729]

But this is not from the balkan war..We bring in Jihadis and war criminals also a religion who hates our way of living..

[@petert1692]

I’d rather be poor in Sweden than in the USA.

[@HowdyItLovll]

Well,☝️actually ... Hmm ✊... *Glances at unemployment rates and homeless rates here in the US* *Looks back* no, yeah, you're right.

[@roxanlogan8488]

Hi Peter, do you have heavy snows storms

[@DennanX]

I would much rather get cancer in the US than Sweden. I've had 22 surgeries in Sweden (where 20 of them were totally unnecessary) and 1 surgery in the US (very necessary). The difference in quality is stark between the two (the US being much better). That being said, I wouldn't want to be uninsured in the US (this is where the point of contention arises).

[@Dragunaw]

@@roxanlogan8488 Maybe in the north, here in the south (around Gothenburg) we haven't had winter for a few years, we get maybe 1-2 inches of snow for a few days and then comes the rain and the sun.

[@roxanlogan8488]

@@Dragunaw Okay, am looking forward to the day when I will experience snow. Am from the caribbean so it will be an interesting experience.

[@ChoosinUsername]

Well, the cost of living is high.. that means the wages are high aswell. It won't be sustainable otherwise.

[@coopsnz1]

Cost to live high because of taxes , so unions demand higher min wage

[@bradwhitt6768]

Not true. They make 17% less than your average American. they pay high individual taxes from 25-50%. Their currency is about as strong as Israel's. which is about 6Krona =1USD. He gets quite a lot wrong.

[@raimundoviveslopez]

Exactly. This is the Chilean problem, everything is expensive. Thing is, wages are minimal!

[@daniel931016]

@@bradwhitt6768 you are really oversimplifying, you leave out factors like equality, cost of education, healthcare etc (that is free in scandinavia), paid maternity leave and other parts of the large economic safety nets that plays a role for what you get left in your wallet. don't be simple because economics is not.

[@twochainsandrollies]

When many of the essentials are provided to you.... you don't need a lot of money. Bottom line is, lower the wealth gap = happier the majority of people are

[@terjegulowsen6853]

You forgot to mention that when you take into account the high wages, even after tax, norwegians still have a lot more money than americans at the end of the month. The real reason norway is so expensive is because labour unions continously have pushed the wages higher, and therefore prices Are higher. This all sounds like another ignorant american view on everyone else but themselves

[@eltoro969]

He's a young journalist so he probably just Googled it.

[@_Azura_]

They wanted to aim for an international audience so they left out such difficult to comprehend concepts as higher than minimum wage.

[@sten260]

US and Norway have nothing in common, Norway is a small country with only 5 million people that has a lot of oil and other valuable resources. US is a massive country with over 300 million people, obviously something that might work in Norway does not work in US. America is very capitalistic and something like slapping 60% tax on people would never go through, because that sounds like theft

[@ryker_azareth]

@@sten260 You start by comparing population and implying that's why it wouldn't work but argue at the end that high taxes wouldn't be accepted in the US because of cultural views. Size has nothing to do with it. It's a cheap cop out excuse. US has more overall resources than Norway. Also Norway too is capitalistic but has more socisl elements that lean it more into a mixed economy. I agree though that the reason it wouldn't work is because of the public perception of the government and taxation.

[@sten260]

@@ryker_azareth I think population does matter, it's easier to provide free education or free healthcare that's still somewhat good for 5 million people than 300 million

[@suzimonkey345]

In my experience the “cost of living” is mostly (just mostly) an issue for tourists travelling around the world. The salary you earn as a resident of a country usually evens things out. Living on different continents, in a variety of countries it’s not tax or food prices that matter its mortgage and rent that costs you!

[@nawajryan]

Foreign students are also in this list

[@jhonklan3794]

not really Swedes earn far less than americans do for the same job.

[@mikaveekoo]

When cost of education and health care is included the living in US is much more expensive than in scandinavia...

[@flakgun153]

Which is completely offset by the USA's much higher take home incomes

[@blipblop92]

Says who?

[@tjm3900]

@@flakgun153 IF you have and can keep a good job !

[@flakgun153]

@@tjm3900 so? Scandinavians don't give as much welfare as the internet seems to think. On the median, Americans have way more money even after healthcare

[@giuliom3564]

@@flakgun153 Totally wrong. In USA the income is much lower than in Scandinavia (except few people who are a minority).

[@danielgyllenbreider]

Fun fact is that Denmark has the highest social mobility in the world, while the US has a lower social mobility than Pakistan. So much for the American dream. It should be called the Danish dream instead:)

[@nonecked7882]

Seems legit

[@thomasa4239]

But you can get VERY VERY rich in the US. It’s very hard to do that in Denmark. If you are white and from the city, at least mildly attractive, and not disabled, the American dream is actually real. :/

[@Zoetherat]

I think "social mobility" is misunderstood. Even if someone is statistically likely to remain in the social class they were born in, that doesn't mean that they had no choice. In the internet age, there are a lot of free resources available to teach ppl to better their economic status. Few people will take advantage of that, hence the statistics. However, that doesn't mean that the American dream is actually out of reach for those who choose to apply themselves.

[@moonlily1]

@@thomasa4239 No. If you are born rich you can leverage your wealth to get very rich. If you're not born rich the odds that you will ever be rich are extremely low unless you just happen to be very talented or very lucky. What's more significant, if you are born in poverty it is highly unlikely you will get out of it. Even if you're a mildly attractive able bodied white person.

[@moonlily1]

@@thomasa4239 I really don't give a shit if it's difficult to become mega rich in Denmark because no one needs to be mega rich and most of the things that make a person mega rich are through doing something immoral. It's fine if no one is a billionaire but most people get to have a decent life. Here, people are deprived of decent lives so that the rich can become mega rich off their backs. I don't shed a single tear for anyone who just can't afford a third home, especially if that means that no one else has to be homeless.

[@Asama47815673]

Because of taxes. There, saved you 5 minutes of your life. You're welcome.

[@mainmast8955]

dweeb

[@johnsandy7802]

But it´s not because of taxes....

[@whd5709]

Thx

[@davidlafleche1142]

@@johnsandy7802 Then what is the cause?

[@theliches]

@@johnsandy7802 I would love to know why then, when we got 25% on sales taxes in Denmark at first, then you wouldn't know what the taxes are on food, cars and lots of other things.

[@e.k.odentroll7919]

You want a society that works you have to pay for it....

[@jespergotthelf9421]

Excactly 😏

[@blackout07blue]

Lol. Healthcare & education are only things worth making public. Maybe childcare too.

[@patricka.crawley6572]

Well, looks like those days are gone for Sweden.

[@jazzman598]

And the average Scandinavian makes more than enough to cover the difference.

[@morlidor]

@@patricka.crawley6572 Nope!

[@oldskoolmusicnostalgia]

Paying high taxes and getting a lot in return: that's something I would gladly take. The state does a tremendous job for its citizens in those countries. There are countries in Europe itself with slightly lower tax rates (only slightly) but which provide nowhere near the level of welfare Norway and Sweden have.

[@fulldeep7707]

Related to this. Here in Serbia randoms talk bad rep about this country but it surprised me completely when I experienced some things myself. People often complain about how some things cost or are expensive. Turns out most of those things are not true. The recent corona nonsense. People complain this was made up to milk it. Maybe. But so far any aid was for free. People got medical and food supplies for free. Even money. Many times I took a service etc. How much it costs, ZERO. I was shocked. I got use to every single crap costing something now all of a sudden things are free. I asked why, they said the country is doing great and we have a budget for all these things. While some naive ignorant people talked different and I even believed it... until I experienced it myself. So far, 2018, 19 20 and 21 was a pleasant year and things quite well developed. From the infrastructure of services to the delivery. So these bots and ignorant people spreading false info can pack up and leave any time they want. As some say rather be "poor" in Serbia or some other places then Germany, west where mostly these bad news come from. Fabricated since long time ago to give this amazing country a bad rep. I mean they even bombed this place to the ground not even once. In WW2 they been allies, no matter USA bombed the life out of Serbia, more then Hitler's regime. People who finish schools here go work in the world, work on major developments then they have the decency to say how Serbia is a poor country, without education etc. Then how come you use our knowledge since you even exist. Basically. If Serbia is so bad, then don't use their "bad" electricity technology. How about that. The west and coutries ran by a catholic church aka Vatican are a definition of ignorance and irony. Seriously it's laughable and pathetic at the same time what stories they come up with to put others in a bad place. While they do far worse evil things.

[@roggaregg1480]

Only migrants reap full benefits of swedish wellfare. Without having even to contribute! An elderly migrant get hïgher pension payment than low-incom people with a working lifespan of 40 years. An illegal immigrant can get dental job worth 1000ths € for only 5€. Sorry but sweden is largely a dysfunctional country giving away the taxpayers money without any sense. And total tax load is about 75%. Healthcare, schools, law&order, sickleave insurance (long term) and migration all sucks here...

[@maretvilla1531]

Is it true if you need an aparment or a house you have to wait over a year to get one? With everything expensive and so called free healthcare not really free unless you're okay to be on the waiting list, it doesn't sound like fun.

[@oldskoolmusicnostalgia]

@@roggaregg1480 well I have news for you: that's the principle of welfare, a lot of people get more benefits than they pay for, it is not a "earn what you pay" based system. While I agree with you that benefits should not be easily available to migrants, you could say the same about married people or many other categories: they contribute a lot less than they get from the state.

[@roggaregg1480]

@@oldskoolmusicnostalgia well, I got news for you! The taxes the Swedish taxpayers putting in should go to welfare for the Swedish people. NOT to the welfare seeking people from all over the world. THAT is what Sweden´s politicians think we can muster. NO country on earth manages that. We are core 9 mil, now with the extreme inflow 10 mil. And we can not take that at ALL! Just go figure! In fact, Sweden is the ATM for anyone who can make it to SWEDEN!!!

[@mchlbk]

In Scandinavia everything just works. They've figured out how to make the free market work for the people. Ideology has largely been replaced by pragmatism and focus on solutions that actually work. Capitalism is a good motor but a lousy driver. Socialism is all driver and no motor at all. Combine the two, add complete transparency, equality, freedom of speech and efficient democracy where the politicians are normal people who actually serve the voters - and you have an unparallelled and superior system. I'm a fan.

[@TheDerperado]

Very well said. Nordic system takes the best parts of capitalism and socialism and combine those into a system that works very well for us. Naturally Nordic system isn't flawless, but in my opinion it is the best one available.

[@Rattenkriegs]

+mchlbk "Capitalism is a good motor but a lousy driver. Socialism is all driver and no motor at all." Yes - because they are two completely different things. Capitalism is an economic system, while socialism is a political ideology. In the US there is a strong reluctance to acknowledge this basic fact, as socialism never really took root and both their major political parties are right-wing parties, compared to social democratic parties in the rest of the world. But because they are completely different things, it's perfectly possible to combine the two. The capitalist economy is very good at generating financial profits - but it's terrible at distributing them fairly. Capitalism is also completely amoral, as it's ONLY goal is increasing financial profit - no matter what other costs it incurs. Exploiting workers, using child labor or poisoning the environment is perfectly fine according to the laws of capitalism - as long as the company can make a profit on those things. Because of this, capitalism must be tightly regulated to save us all from it's destructive effects if let loose. Think of capitalism as a nuclear reactor - it can produce huge amounts of energy/profit - but if not controlled tightly it can utterly destroy everything around it. While socialism is a political ideology focused on producing the best possible outcome for all people. It's not actually in the long term interest of the people or the nation as a whole that one small group hoards all the wealth accumulated in the capitalist economy. Instead, everyone benefits the most when society works for everyone and social and economic divisions in society are smaller. Guaranteeing everyone high quality healthcare and a good education benefits both the individual and the nation as a whole much more. If that hadn't been true, the much smaller Nordic nations obviously couldn't beat the much larger and richer US in international comparisons - which they regularly do. Because in the Nordic countries it doesn't matter how rich your parents are - everyone are still afforded premium healthcare and education, which means everyone can contribute to society to the maximum of their ability.

[@megamage911]

Rattenkriegs A really good example of all this is how our education system works, at least here in Denmark, I can speak for Norway or Sweden. Our basic schools are just simple free to attend, assuming it's not a private school. Then, if you want to go on to get a further education, the state will pay you to stay in school (varies how much depending on whether you still live with your parents, or if you have moved out, and if you still live with your parents, it varies further depending on their income) so you wont be forced to get a job on the side, and risk getting stressed, though you CAN get a job on the side if you want to make some extra money (though only up to around $1550 extra pr. month, anything more than that, and they'll start cutting down on your state funding) But basically what all this is, is an investment in the population. The state invests in you, to ensure that you'll be able to then go out and become a well functioning member of society.

[@147-k7u]

Let's not forget these countries have very low population, 5-9 million people. Most other countries are 50 million and above

[@Rattenkriegs]

+ Cris Which doesn't mean what the political right in the US tries to pretend. Because more populous industrialized nations - like the US - also have much larger economies then smaller such nations. So being small is no advantage what so ever. The US is the richest country in the history of the world - it could easily afford everything any other, smaller, western democracy does as well - if it just chose to direct resources towards that goal. If anything it's actually EASIER to motivate a well developed welfare state in larger nations, as the cost/benefit ratio for more specialized treatments becomes even more beneficial. For instance: a small western democracy like Sweden still has the highly specialized medical equipment and trained staff to treat even very rare diseases - even if that investment luckily won't be needed very often. But we still have the facilities and we still keep training staff for the few instances when it is needed. Which cost a whole lot of money for very little use. But in a much larger nation like the US, such investments would be used far more often and the cost/benefit analysis would be even more beneficial. We still invest in these things, because we believe in the principle that ALL citizens have the right to the best possible care - even if it's expensive. But in a much larger nation like the US, such investments would also make more sense from an economic standpoint.

[@kevinmsft]

Speaking as an American... If you can get free college education, amazing public transport (no more car insurance, gas taxes, etc), awesome low-cost healthcare... who cares if the beer is a bit more expensive and the sweater is $300? Trust me... the sweaters in US are much cheaper, and I was tempted to buy like a dozen of them with Christmas/Thanksgiving/MemorialDay sales, but it did NOT make you happy in any way. Materialism is not the answer.

[@perskans]

The sweater was 300kr not $300. 300kr = $25

[@thedude4795]

$25 = twenty five smackaroo's

[@PokePresto]

Also he put out a random number for the sweater. If you go to stores like HM it will usally be araound 50-150 kr far from 300.

[@Ajsandborg]

And when you think about it they are no more expensive if you also work there. The wages are high AF so it's not as bad as this video made it out to be.

[@kuhj278]

Our public transport system isn't particularly great by European standards and gas literally costs like $7/gallon

[@nurseelena8521]

I was born an raised in Stockholm, Sweden. This video was so accurate. You see, we're not communists but still we get a lot of benefits. This is because we have one of the worlds highest taxes. As a specialized nurse here I pay in total 35 % tax. People who are rich pay even more. Some pay like 60 % tax, because they are able to contribute more from the money they're making

[@sombraarthur]

And you think that paying 60% or more in taxes is fair? So because they have more money, they should be MORE penalised because they are more productive (in the sense that they have a more lucrative profession), because they have success? Also, 35% tax is on your INCOME, solely. You pay A LOT MORE taxes than that. you pay 35% of your salary in taxes. Then you pay 25% VAT in any and all products you buy. Then, you pay taxes on your rent or on your house (if you own one). Then you pay some more taxes to have a car (this tax I don't know how much it is). Hell, you pay a tax to have A DAMN TV at your home. And that is because the TV station is mationalised, meaning that they are owned by the government. In the end, if you made 100k Kr a month, you will end up paying 75k Kr for the government. The rest is yours to save, enjoy or build a business out of it.

[@mukulvdhiman]

@@sombraarthur what's your argument? The results are in front of you, they are a happy population and the system works for them. None of your arguments can change the fact that people are satisfied there and have no issues with paying taxes.

[@ihateconspiracytheories5270]

@@mukulvdhiman There is no country that doesnt have poor people..

[@infinity8543]

@@sombraarthur Yes, it is absolutely fair. Giving tax isn't "penalisation", it's helping your community towards having true sustainability and enjoying perks that the "American Dream" can never hope to do.

[@sombraarthur]

@@mukulvdhiman happy population? Did you checked out the statistics for mental health in the Nordic countries? Have you checked for suicide rates? Yeah, I knew you did not. Check them out, then come back here and tell me again that they are a "happy population".

[@commonsense31]

I love how they don’t take into the accounts of the higher wages.

[@lars123mc]

@Levis. H yea, only 15 to 25 percent higher...

[@VanquishMediaDE]

@@lars123mc The wages are higher but so is the cost of living.

[@coopsnz1]

Highest household debt in world, Australian and Scandavian don't save more than Americans

[@TwinkingToby]

We do NOT have higher wages in Sweden when compared to the US. The average monthly wage in Sweden is about 32 000 kronor (with todays exchange rate that is about 3 700$). Do keep in mind the low dollar value at this moment.

[@elizabetha8565]

Common Sense there is no minimum wage.

[@mehulabhaykumarjain9918]

I went to Scandinavia last year and was literally shocked how a town of 300 people in Norway had 2 football fields, a skate boarding arena, gymnasium among other things. Also the people there are very nice, they offer you coffee if you stop at a grocery store in countryside, that's why they say they have one of the best and highest living standards in the world. With respect to how expensive it is, I thought groceries are way more expensive than Switzerland. A local freia dark chocolate costed 40 NOK while Lindt Dark chocolate is hardly for 1.5-2 CHF.

[@vendomnu]

Dane here. The video is actually pretty accurate, to my surprise. Two corrections though: A) The corporate tax is only paid on the surplus and a company can use a deficit in year one to offset a surplus in year two, so the surplus doesn't get taxed. Corporate taxes provide very little tax revenue - especially since liberal (actual meaning of the word, not the US definition) governments have hollowed out our tax revenue agency to the point of corporate cheating going unnoticed and unpunished. B) Beer is only expensive if you buy it at a restaurant, bar or the like.

[@JohnDoe-bd5sz]

Agreed, while beer is expensive and can only be bought in special shops in Sweden and Norway, in Denmark any person aged 16 or above can buy beer, that is sold from every supermarket and kiosk. A normal 33cl beer of a brand name usually cost less than a doller (Plus a bit for the bottle that is paid back if you remember to return the bottle for recycling).

[@synorse4062]

@@JohnDoe-bd5sz Most supermarkets sell beer in Norway. For liquor you have to go to the special store called Vinmonopolet.

[@alleking5433]

SY NORSE in sweden we have Systembolaget +The salary in Norway is much higher then in Sweden but I ways out because it’s more expensive with food household and Other essentials

[@AndersTreweOriginal]

It should be mentioned that VAT and US type sales tax is not the same thing. VAT is deductible for businesses. In principle all business are tax free until a private person buys goods or use services. This really encourage small businesses since it is easier to keep money out of the taxation system operating as a small business rather than an employed professional. Salaries are topped by a 35% social fee, In addition, the employer pays a ~35% income tax. If you earn more than $60000 a year, you will have a marginal income tax at ~50%. With all VAT and special taxes on energy, booze and tobacco, the average Scandinavian ends up paying ~60% in tax. In return you'll get universal health care, free university studies, low cost professional kindergarten, geriatric care, public transport, etc. Some of these areas really needs improvement, but it doesn't mean it's all crap.

[@coopsnz1]

@@AndersTreweOriginal you are idiot higher consumption tax kills business profits in Europe, no business benefit from consumption taxes

[@h.s.7081]

Buddy, your math is WRONG, and because of that you're giving public the impression that the taxes are higher than they actually are. If the sweater has a 25% VAT, it means the sweater costs 240, not 225. So, the VAT is 60 and not 75. 240 * 1.25 = 300 Remember, you need to use the inverse of whatever math operation is done to get the final price. P.S.: You're welcome to ask me about any calculations in your future vids (for free) because it should be embarrassing for an enterprise of your level to not have proper calculations in your video, especially when your conclusions make things seem more severe than they actually are.

[@nicolaibratsberg9967]

umm you're wrong, 75 is 1/4 of 300, i.e. the price after VAT is 225.

[@h.s.7081]

Nicolai Bratsberg 300 is the final price. The VAT is charged on purchase price, not on the final price, which is meant to be inclusive of the tax. The purchase price is 240; a tax of 25% tax of 60 makes the total 300.

[@StillRooneyStarcraft]

Nah Nicolai, Hassan is right. You don't subtract the VAT percentage from the final price, you add it (value _added_ tax) to the pre-VAT price. X * 1.25 = 300 X = 300/1.25 = 240.

[@you61299]

When you subtract it’s 20% when you add on its 25% Jesus, where did you guys get your education? Mine is from Denmark btw 😂😂

[@bjoremo]

Correct, that's why these numbers are chosen and are so nice (even). Adding is 25 % and subtracting is 20 %. Only integers, no decimals :)

[@robintse3978]

Why is Scandinavia so expensive? Hong Kong : *Hold my beer*

[@gloriamusic0728]

If it’s cheaper than Hong Kong then I’m coming !! Hong konger here

[@Amatersuful]

@@gloriamusic0728 alot of places r cheaper than Honk Kong

[@kiraasuka9943]

@Go Live that's only because the house helper is from PHILIPPINE. and they have NO human rights comparing with EU standard. HK is the same as US in terms of capitalism system that the first come first serve. Kashing Li is the great example as a tycoon building wealth AND lobbied HK gov to enslave future hkers. That's also why he is so successful coz both British and Chinese gov need his influence in HK local gov. Evil is evil no matter what. HK capitalism is built with a dead end.

[@lauridsklatt2100]

@@gloriamusic0728 Real estate deffenetly , beer in a bar is roughtly the same (i have been to hongkong), the Mc Donalds menu is cheaper in HK though, hahahah

[@TheLassenman]

Switzerland hold my double beer :P

[@CNBCi]

This video has been updated to reflect a correction to the sweater example's price and Sweden and Norway's variable tax rate of food and beverage.

[@damirradoncic7390]

CNBC International Also the corporate tax isnt added to the product directly, but to the final profit of the company - often netting 0. Also, a bit misleading but the top taxation rate only applies to the most wealthy of Swedes

[@eemelivierimaa9041]

CNBC International by the way Finland is also part of the Skandinavia

[@GrandiosoOak]

@Eemelie Vierimaa Finland has never been and will never be part of scandinavia

[@papaquonis]

@Eemeli Vierimaa No. Scandinavia only consists of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Finland is one of the Nordic countries though, along with Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland.

[@thomasandersson367]

Johan Kvarnemar Finland was a part of Sweden before it was an own country and because of that it was Scandinavian at a time.

[@isaiahbruckhaus]

-.- the liquor stores are not government run to keep the prices up, that's what alcohol taxation does. They are government run so that liquor stores are not "tempted" to drive up sales by any means (advertising, deals etc.) but actually discourage potential customers and disincentives drinking. Because that would be a predictable bad business model for the private sector.

[@kinnish5267]

then why are in that business? Answer to make money and stop being naive

[@isaiahbruckhaus]

Kinnish Because the tax authority were in such dire situation they had to revert to selling its citizen alcohol. Tell me, do you think governments across the world monopolized postal services for themselves because that's such a cash cow industry... far exceeding any possible tax revenue?

[@DenisG631]

"the liquor stores are not government run to keep the prices up, that's what alcohol taxation does." what is the difference? What matters is the result. High prices

[@liberator48]

The fact remains that because they are monopolized by the government this keeps the prices static and high because there is no competition in that business to keep the prices down.

[@jclaakso7945]

Nah, competition would not drive down prices substantially on alcohol. The state monopoly in Sweden at least is not keeping the prices artificially high, and in some cases such as for rare fine wines actually keeps them lower than their market price. The main cause of high prices is the high tax on alcohol, not the monopoly.

[@HelloForeignWorld]

I watched 2 minutes of the video and found 2 false statements regarding Sweden and I am not even local. The VAT rate is is spread in 3 groups 25, 12, 6% - it is not simply “25%”. The statement regarding the income taxation is also false - there are 3 brackets, and the top bracket would reach roughly 55%. Also Denmark has higher income taxes.

[@Youtasky]

25% for most goods, food 12, books and transportation 6. While regular income tax is around 30% you have to add payroll tax (arbetsgivaravgift) 30%. All in all a regular worker pays 60% of his/her income in tax.

[@chickenmilkshakes8807]

Most importantly they miscalculated the price of the jacket without vat... Also it gives the false impression that corporate income tax is paid on revenue.

[@investorhawk2446]

Nope, the "top bracket" is above 60%... it's like 63% or something like that.

[@you61299]

in Denmark it’s very simple 25% on everything

[@runarandersen878]

In Norway it is 15 % for food that you buy and don't eat there, mostly 24 % (I think), on other stuff.

[@KenBowd]

I once worked for a company from Finland. (Wheotherm). Two things stuck with me in those years. My direct boss was from Denmark. I was mainenance super. Unlike the majority of managers in my capitalist experience, there was no sence bull shitting him. He understood all aspects of the business. I can remember taking exception when he told me our country did not understand the importance of trade balance and we import too much. The decades since have underlined his wisdom as employment falters. Secondly we had their engineering staff over from Finland. Canadian management will usually present an image of superiority and detatchment. The Fins were all business, understanding the shop floor in a way rarely seen in Canada. Unlike the parade of penguin suits often seen hear, other than the white hardhats we issued, they looked working class. We went out for lunch and me, not being much of a drinker, I ordered a coffee, the one fellow, director of Canadian operations, ask if we had Heineken. His manners were self evident not commenting on my tea toddler behavior as well not securing the available social status. It was an unusual break from a visit by Canadian federal public servants who inspected us and had to ask basic questions one would expect, they should know as overseers. Our plant emitted freon as part of the process, fast becoming a controlled gas. I was and still am impressed.

[@bzdtemp]

What you describe is very much how it works in Scandinavia. Not much BS about who is boss and who isn't, instead it is about working together and getting things done and everyone is allowed and expected to take responsibility and make decisions - management is more about guidance and such and there is no need for one to include ones boss in everything ie. no cowering your ass by putting CC on every mail you send or anything.

[@1Animeculture]

What you discribe is acturally a spot on evidence of "Janteloven" in its prime. "You shall not think that you are better than I" this is what 'janteloven' states and while its not an actural "law" its a well knowm folk lore that have stayed with us since dawn of these countries. It basicly means that no matter if you are a garbageman or a high status CEO, you are both expected to be treated as peers. There is no shame tied to what you are working with, what you are working with and making a living with is either not a concern to others or is at the very least very respected as everyone are making the society clockwork tick. We arent here without the other a d we are all creating the standard of living we are all prized for. It is what keeps most people here humble and secluded and usually just mind their own buisness while respecting each other.

[@MrAns786]

Fabiafidus That an excellent policy, no wonder your country is successful unlike here in the UK.

[@TsetsiStoyanova]

This man is rich

[@Video-Games-Are-Fun]

he never spoke about buying off craigslist or doing business under the table. this is all retail level stuff.

[@AvijitDasAvijitds74]

@Tsetsi You are hot!

[@qwertyqwerty-bo8xy]

@@AvijitDasAvijitds74 simp

[@holoholopainen1627]

Usually The RICH - never Talk ABOUT PRICES !

[@bigtechweekly]

I've visited Stockholm in Sweden and Copenhagen in Denmark and I can say they are by far some of the most expensive cities I've been too on my travels. The up side is both countries are clean, very safe and it's people are very welcoming!

[@MsJunikorn]

It's important to remember that even though things are expensive for non-Scandinavians, it is not for us because of our high income level

[@MsJunikorn]

No Google, I don't want to use my real name. It’s similar in Norway :)

[@kakibackup2koujo612]

Exactly

[@declannewton2556]

+Johanne Wiborg That is called inflation.

[@fredeaston3988]

idiot

[@DaveHammondDublin]

agree , I am from Ireland and lived in Scandinavia and the USA for a couple years of life -and I think this video piece is very misleading inaccurate and playing to the stereotypes especially for Americans - average Scandinavians have a much much better quality of life than in the US - these pieces always pick on alcohol - look the evidence is clear alcohol is not a healthy good thing for life and so the governments control the distribution and limit the advertising and marketing of alcohol as a policy - this means less alcohol related pressures on hospitals and health services and lower overall consumption by people because the prices are intentionally high - so if you keep comparing cost of living and focus on alcohol then it always looks more expensive ( because it is ) - but when you live in Scandinavia wages are better and the costs for many many many items are not all more expensive at all - i am pretty sure they just keep the prices for all things that Americans want to use like alcohol hotels and restaurants expensive to stop too many from visiting and over running the brilliant places in the the summer like Stockholm so they can enjoy their own countries and enjoy a better quality of life if you are from Scandinavia ;-) . If the wish to do a more balanced comprehensive comparison of taxes paid and services provided they will find that Scandinavians are in the top places to live for a reason - good services and good quality of life - America is a divided society that has not got anything like the level of education transport systems and health services provided to its people- not by a very very long way.

[@ragus1416]

I visited twice to Sweden. A beautiful county to visit. The people are all very nice. Love from India, Chennai. Yes, it is an expensive place to live.

[@Matruchus]

The only thing this video left out is that people in Scandinavia have very high salaries in comparison to rest of Europe. This offsets the majority of the taxes they have to pay. And majority of that are not taxes at all. Part of those taxes are payments in to the pension fund, social welfare programs, health insurance and so on. I really hate when journalists say stuff is free. Nothing is free in Scandinavia or rest of Europe. The difference between US and most European countries is that in US you have to fund everything yourself. In Europe everything from schooling, health, social security is funded through every citizen paying in to a single system.

[@jsebby2284]

Wait. Do you think schooling and social security isn't funded by the government in the US? Even a lot of the healthcare is too lol

[@ekaterinaagapova318]

3:47 when u’re talking about Norwegian taxes and show the picture of Svalbard, the island, which is absolutely tax free)

[@holoholopainen1627]

IS IT a TEX HEAVEN ?

[@holoholopainen1627]

TAX HEAVEN - close to NORTH POLE ?

[@pollutingpenguin2146]

And Denmark has the highest average salaries in the EU and all three countries are among the richest countries in the world. Denmark and Norway has a nominal GDP per capita which is above the USA and both are in the top 10 richest nations. And all countries pay their workers (including unskilled workers) a high pay. The minimum pay which is negotiated between unions and employers is in Denmark around 20$ an hour.

[@gmmonko]

Don't forget Switzerland - low taxes, but everybody has to pay. CEO's pay into unemployment and yes Switzerland has a permanent referendum. America has the electorate college.

[@papulrocks794]

Denmark has lower GDP per capita than USA inspite of getting free access to a rich EU market and US losing a huge part of its GDP with american companies moving out their HQs. Years ago, US has had even stronger comparative GDP. Also such welfare models only work in close knit tiny countries. Now that you're bringing in muslims, you'll see. I'm happy when i get to keep my hard earned money, instead of giving it to a good for nothing hobo.

[@JJG86]

Yggdrasil Tree Of Life but you have to pay $20 for a donut

[@89Mangler]

Jasmin Hamid well sweden is not a member in NATO so no you aint paying swedens defens even if the swedich defensdoctrin is all about delaying an attaker untill help can arrive, so then you ask dosent this mean others are paying for swedens defens? During the cold war sweden was one of the most militarised countrys in the world this was so the military non allignement could be secured, meaning sweden basicaly payed for your defense by being a unknown for any attack by soviet on NATO, becouse if sweden would have been attackt NATO would know war was coming and if soviet attackt NATO and an attack would come from the neutral countrys of sweden and finland the war would be lost. This might sound like alot of babbeling but i hope you understand what i mean.

[@89Mangler]

Jasmin Hamid and the reason for any attack on sweden would be to have sweden as a springboard to attack NATO therby sweden pay for NATOS defense and as a deterent together with Finland

[@angieakasara]

I loved that he said "takk'' while buying the pastry. Takk means thank you

[@quizmaster4458]

when i had my holiday in norway, we met an engineer who was working on the oil fields and who was the son of a doctor in the czech republic. he was happy that he was earning a lot but then he was complaining about the taxes and the poor healthcare in norway. according to him only urgent care was good, but sub acute care (where he had an experience with) was very slow. thing is, if i am sick i would never think of going to the czech republic directly, i'd probably run through all the countries in western europe, then canada, taiwan, japan, then the US and maybe a couple dozen more countries before i'd ever think of going to see a doctor in the czech republic. his girlfriend was a nanny from portugal and was happy with her earnings in norway and fully understood why taxes had to be that high. this story explains exactly why he is earning so much compared to her, but at the same time why she is much happier compared to him. selfish overly driven people are never happy anywhere they go, he was an engineer and the son of a doctor but he still had to go far away to earn dem big bucks, but he still wanted the privileges he had in his own country. but that's a ridiculous notion and for him to think that there is something better is a waste of his education. there will always be tradeoffs, while he can go to the US where he can can great pay, and he can go to the front of the queue in the hospital because of his employer based healthcare, he wouldn't have his girlfriend/ future wife with him, because what would a nanny do in the US? a nanny and an enginner in scandinavia would have the same type of healthcare, the same level of independence, and they can move around the same social circle--that is what egalitarianism is all about. you can either be so rich and distant from the dirt poor or you can be one of the upper middle class and surrounded by the relatively poor but where no one is miserable. personally, i think what the western europeans have done is admirable, i wouldn't want to live in walled enclaves with guards, dogs, security cameras, and you still end up dead because the people around you are so desperate to get their chance and be ahead in life. it's one's physical security vs social security.

[@ryuunderhill1526]

This. I live in Stockholm and you nailed it.. If you have an emergency you are good. However, regular consultant trips routinely take months of waiting, trips to the doctors are met with one of two responses. a) here is some aspirin/paracetemol, thanks for coming. or b) Oh you need to go to hospital. Any request for medicine even slightly outside their comfort zone is not going to end well for you, and expect long long waits if you have something non life-threatening.

[@blueeyedbaer]

+Hadouken Hobbit Doctors prescribe only aspirin/paracetamol and other simple medicines (which are almost not used in other EU countries) only because riktlinjer tell to do so. Every visit must be journaled and patients can read those journals too. Journals can be also inspected by some authorities and if they find that doctor doesn't follow riktlinjer, doctor can get a fine or entirely lose his/hers licence to practice medicine. Every single treatment in Sweden must be evidence based, cost effective and follow riktlinjer, that's the reason why you can't get any other medicine than it is written in riktlinjer.

[@ryuunderhill1526]

cougarlt I don’t understand your point

[@quizmaster4458]

@Hadouken, cougarlt was trying to explain the reason re: the hesitation by doctors to prescribe medicines, he was saying and implying that doctors are well meaning and can only give you medication based on the riktlinjer (guidelines). Guidelines that are formulated by medical societies and the government aim to make treatment rational and cost effective for all. Even in the US where some of the best guidelines are written, doctors and patients fault the system for not giving them enough flexibility to determine the best course of treatment for their patients/ themselves. But it is too often the case, that advocates for novel medications are actually supported by pharmaceutical companies and these medicines only give false hope to patients. In France last year, there was a review of common medication prescribed and they found out that a lot of "over the counter medications" do not provide benefit to patients and in fact are harming patients. As with other things, there should be a balance between the market and the authorities who are tasked with the welfare of their own societies. In the US, there is a majority of policymakers who believe they owe it to their constituents to relax regulation so that innovation can improve care for patients, in Canada and Europe they think that regulation (especially in drug approval and pricing) is necessary to ensure that their citizens receive proper care and do not fall victim to false marketing and skyrocketing medications cost.

[@gullfeber]

this doctor fellow must be drunk then. norway has the worlds best healthcare system coming from a norwegian source www.abcnyheter.no/helse-og-livsstil/helse/2017/06/14/195309661/ny-rapport-norge-har-et-av-verdens-beste-helsevesen

[@Parkersneighboursneighbour]

i wouldnt mind paying that much taxes for that kinda life quality. The facts that the government actually put those taxes to good use for the people is admiring.

[@loniivanova8667]

So far I have been only at Denmark, Copenhagen....2 times. And yeah it is expensive, but is so beautiful and calming. Everything has its order. Am looking forward to visit Sweden and Norway.

[@chandhand6539]

You would love sweden for sure.. :) Norway, I haven't been yet.

[@chandhand6539]

@ANUPAMA BANDYOPADHYAY I have been to Denmark too... Copenhagen was beautiful but I was there only for few days :)

[@connhim747]

@ANUPAMA BANDYOPADHYAY In my perspective, Norway or Sweden has more landscapes than Denmark. 💦

[@TTaiiLs]

This video fails to bring up the argument that while yes the prices are high the salaries are equally higher, so in practice it's just the same as any other country...

[@tntturner13]

Not really all that high salaries if you are getting taxed 55-60% hahaha

[@theresonly2genders857]

Average income is $26,000 and Scandinavia... I would say you are wrong.

[@philly6317]

You failed to mention you have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about. The amount of likes on your comment is frightening; people just believe nobody’s who act like they know things. US has a higher average income than every country in Scandinavia

[@RobLocksley]

My situation is in many ways unique but I work 3 days a week and am running out of things to buy. Thing is, even though I 'only' got half a year salary in the bank I don't have to worry because of social security; it is not perfect but good enough. But looking at my American friends who are earning a whole hell lot more than I, they seem both strapped for cash (they got allot but don't dare spend it, it seems) and whenever something happen it just costs a shedload of money! No wonder they worry.

[@johnnorthtribe]

@@philly6317 in US you have a hugh gap between low income and high income. I have $3000/month after tax in Sweden and my work is enough with high school. I pay $800 in rent per month.

[@jackmiller9829]

my mother is a north European, she said the life there is much more comfortable than here in Canada.

[@SankofaNYC]

But I meannnn... It looks nice and safe and people are happy and live long sooooooooo 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@SergioGarcia-my2zi]

They say they are happy. They certainly dont look like it. And FYI: the people who live the longest in Europe are Spaniards. Italians, also poorer than Scandinavians, live also longer than them.

[@p.qmorik9207]

Sergio García When Nordic people say so, they ARE truly happy. They look like that cause that’s their personalities, nothing connected to their mood. And please separate happiness and life expectancy

[@hatsue2112]

@@p.qmorik9207 No significant population of Latinos and blacks as well.

[@p.qmorik9207]

Whimsical Cotton nah. Costa Rica r full of latinos but still happier than most of other countries

[@Line...]

@@SergioGarcia-my2zi just because we tend to be introverted and keep our emotions to ourselves doesn't mean we are unhappy

[@HansMartinHammer]

It's not that expensive to live in Scandinavia, but to visit Scandinavia as a tourist must be a pain, unless you're prepared for it.

[@mackman6602]

Unions The strong unions have helped build up todays prosporus, rich and equal society of the Nordics

[@davidwebb2318]

but the high wages the unions negotiate make their companies uncompetitive and eventually this will destroy any country that adopts this idea.

[@jespersschmidt]

The thing I truly love (but was not mentioned) is the fact that not only is education free - when you turn 18, you are actually paid a monthly educational grant for financial support. You can likewise apply for monthly financial support to help supplement your rent.

[@celies88]

Imagine thinking high taxes on alcohol is a bad thing.

[@MannenFromNorth]

It kinda is tbh, makes it so alcoholics even with a regular good enough income will suffer financially and it provides an steady income to people who do illegal imports. Some even makes their own drinks from the ground up and sell it, which has caused alot of illnesses and even a couple of deaths because of the imperfections in sanitary and products that has gone into these illegal drinks.

[@sunseeker9581]

@@MannenFromNorth does scandenavia halve a big problem with alcoholics? Last time I checked no. USA and UK on the hand ...

[@Frank1172]

It's not "helping" keeping consumption down, but is an old Socialist way of thinking. A sober worker is a trustworthy worker. Have you checked the statistics on global pure consumption of alcohol? A country like Sweden (with strict nanny mentality on the subject) comes in as number 50 (9.2 litres per year) and US as number 48 (also 9.2 litres) - WHO data 2010. So, If I can control my drinking why should I involuntary be punished by the minority fraction of people who cannot, thus having to pay a higher tax and only though government run instances?

[@sunseeker9581]

@@Frank1172 finding out who had the most alcoholics would be a better measure. Britain definetly has a problem with binge drinking

[@coopsnz1]

Excise tax theft

[@Dismitum]

This is a pretty poorly made video. The 25% VAT rate is not on all goods, foodstuffs are for example 12%. Also the tax calculation is complete bogus. Value added tax is value added and not deduced off the final sale price. I.e. the 300 kroner sweater's pretax price is 240 kroner (300/1.25) not 225 kroner (300-(1*0.25)). Whoever made this video should do some more thorough fact checking next time.

[@quizmaster4458]

maybe you should live in scandinavia because your math skills are poor. 300kr includes the VAT of 25%, so 300kr is 125% of the base cost, therefore the base price or 100% is 240kr. percentage = .base/rate so base = percentage/rate (base price = 300kr/1.25).

[@quizmaster4458]

@dismitum, that is correct, having lived in a country where alcohol prices are about the same as Scandinavia, I didn't find it THAT expensive in Norway. while I myself like shopping (I did get an expensive knife set from Morakniv) when you visit places like Bergen the focus is simply different, the adventures on the fjords will take your mind of urban concerns and the prices for tour guides are fair. and no one about to take treks or kayaking trips would want to get wasted, only an alcoholic would need alcohol after the end of every day/ workday. I guess the Anglo-Saxons would like to paint a certain picture to take Scandinavia a few pegs down, and you'd think they would be contented as being the best (given their penchant for exceptionalism). Every country, every people has their own priorities. The only difference is that Scandinavian countries come on top when it comes to objective measures of what a society should have.

[@quizmaster4458]

you need to understand how the word objective is used in that sentence.

[@quizmaster4458]

are you a trumptard who likes to waste time on impertinent arguments? i'm not, if you do not know what measure i am referring to in that comment then read up more. magmamagaling bobo naman.

[@quizmaster4458]

waahh waaahh! i am, and i'm smarter than you.

[@charlottegomez5279]

NON OF YOUR BILLS SLEPT. THEY KEPT ON BILLINGS AS YOU WERE SLEEPING. IN OTHER WORDS, YOU WOKE UP OWING MORE THAN YOU DID BEFORE SLEEPING. THAT'S WHY YOU NEED 'PASSIVE INCOME'. SO WHEN YOU SLEEP, YOU CAN ALSO MAKE MONEY, NOT JUST DEBTS.

[@stijnhs]

3:58 US: ranks 6th in adult education Average american: can't find the US on a world map and only speaks one language (sort of...)

[@oh-kade]

Love from Japan ♥️

[@gulllars4620]

I know this is a bit after the posting, but just some context from a Scandinavian. If you change this from Scandinavia to Nordic countries, that also includes Finland and Iceland, who have very similar political and socio-economical structures, and the expensive point also applies. Also, expensive for an individual is relative to purchasing power. The Scandinavian (and Nordic) countries are close to the top of median (different from average) purchasing power due to low inequality and high minimum wages, not only life satisfaction. I think you would see things a lot clearer if you compared the bottom 50% of societies by income and/or wealth across Europe and the world. And if you compare the disposable income after covering necessities (housing, utilities, groceries, commute, health, childcare) you would likely find middle-class Scandinavians towards the top in Europe, even if adjusting for the price of goods and services. The housing point there has become more of a contentious point in the past 1-2 decades though, as middle aged and older house owners with built up wealth and higher incomes have driven up the prices to buy a house or flat to the point where many young people have a hard time achieving home ownership, especially in urban or at least moderately attractive locations.

[@vn4030]

I studied in my school days Now I realized they are in heaven, wonderful life

[@popke62]

In Europe we pay taxes and we still have a high living standard with the happiest people in the world. We have affordable/free healthcare, well educated policy officers, reliable energy companies, good public transportation, etc.

[@IonorReasSpamGenerator]

People in the US did not choose the current situation, it was chosen for them by corporate lobbying and mishaps of previous administrations (Vietnam, Iraq, economic policies leading to recession, mishandling of pandemic, and more stuff for which will ultimately pay the middle-class) which eventually rob Americans of their economical advantage... In the 50ties wealthy paid much higher taxes than today and it worked as the US presented the majority of the still-functioning industry in the world, there was an education grant for WW2 vets, the interstate highway network inspired by German Autobahn was under construction yet the government has still money for initializing space program that eventually after few lost competitions with Soviets managed to put the first man on the moon. This is history though and nowadays is more likely for a corporation to get something done instead of the government as corporations have comparatively much more resources than before when they did not avoid taxes as much as is possible in the current digital age with all that deregulation to improve business at the expense of sufficient government budget which is in red numbers every new fiscal year for years as government cannot get sufficient money from taxes to keep it running as it is. Starting some new megaproject as before like transformation to clean energy is just a pipedream that will lag far behind Europe even though the US continent was not bombed to oblivion in 40ties, nor suffered from the inefficiency of Soviet-style communism as happened to eastern countries for nearly half-century.

[@Frank1172]

Please define "Free Healthcare" (with emphasis on the word "Free")?

[@IonorReasSpamGenerator]

@@Frank1172 in some European countries It's free for the poorest paid by the rest for which is healthcare still more affordable than it would be if it was not required for everyone to have healthcare paid from taxes by the employer as this allows better redistribution of the cost compared to a system where healthcare is optional for employers to pay for its employees as is usual in the US where the employer pays for the healthcare of its personnel only in the higher class jobs. That has been said, while healthcare is generally better for the average European than American in terms of treatments he can actually afford (though state from state differs a lot in terms of medical care), wealthy people that can throw money at the private medical sector get generally better care in the US which leads in many fields of medical research, thus many experimental treatments that can make difference between life and death in otherwise unsolvable cases are first tested on willing US patients before passing often stricter regulations of EU, deregulation of the medical industry in the US for the sake of business created a few more mess ups at the expense of patients lately (there is a documentarily Bleeding Edge if interested to find more). This is also part of the reasons why wealthy people still fighting for not so great US medical system, as on average more expensive treatment compared to the same treatment in many Western nations of the EU is not an issue for the wealthy unlike common folks while as a consequence of often artificially ballooning prices of drugs and treatments in the US which was allowed by law in early 2000, US companies got more money for research, thus people with cash have better chances to survive through the state of the art tech. Though in the last decade this somewhat changed and a large portion of that additional medical profit money ends in hands of shareholders by using profits to manipulate stocks instead of spending on research, and this could eventually kill many US medical companies and threaten US medical research advantage...

[@Frank1172]

@@IonorReasSpamGenerator... OK, let's try this again... Define "Free"

[@IonorReasSpamGenerator]

@@Frank1172 What you failed to understand from the previous post? Want to play games with words, buy Scrabble.. Yes, everybody gets it that even if someone gets healthcare for free, someone else needs to pay for it. So yes, even primary school education in the US is not truly free but everybody gets what someone means by that without the need to point obvious, they also understand that it is a worthy necessity for everybody to have.

[@nilsstadlmayer2221]

Scandinavia is for people that want to live a normal and easy life. Becoming a millionaire is way more difficult in Scandinavia than countries like the united states. In united states, you have to care for yourself. The government in u.s. doesn't care that you have cancer, they care if you have the money for the treatment. On the other hand, the Scandinavian governments try their best to make everyone equal and live a happy and normal life. They actually care about their citizens.

[@Dk-ie4te]

And greatest creations are done in US. capitalism ➡ greed ➡ innovation

[@gullfeber]

norway has a higher density of millionaires than the us tho

[@dannne88]

The reason for monopoly on alcohol (everything above 3,5% in Sweden) is for less consumption. Less consumption means less people in hospitals.

[@V3ntilator]

Scandinavia isn't expensive if you were born there. The salaries makes up for it, and same goes for welfare money. Scandinavia is only expensive for tourists from low cost countries.

[@safiazad2865]

My dad live in Denmark for 40 years ( he's 60) and he always told me that Denmark is so expensive , I'm afraid to move on to Denmark ....

[@chingtheexplorer1578]

With the weak SEK, I found US expensive. At least in Sweden, if you eat out, you don't need to pay for a tip!

[@tylsimys67]

@Snow 123 Huh? On their next delivery to the same address or…?

[@nuutti2957]

@Snow 123 That's just bullshit. Super easy way to get your ass fired and not get another job in the industry ever. No-one is gonna risk their livelyhood over a few bucks.

[@adoatero5129]

- "At least in Sweden, if you eat out, you don't need to pay for a tip!" It's the same here in Finland. No need to tip. People should be paid decent salaries so that they don't have to live on sort of handouts.

[@canaldofred2366]

No one is forced to tip in America, and a lot of people dont do it.

[@twiston43]

Still classy for good service, regardless where.

[@DA-bm2mj]

this dude needs to study economics. seriously. at least some basics.

[@dcrea9416]

How so?

[@isaks7042]

no u

[@fofopads4450]

here is the guy who pretends to know his shit, but with zero to show for it.

[@bjrnhjortshjandersen1286]

Life is not about money alone.....it is about the quality of life and the work life balance.

[@gmmonko]

We are also talking about excellent quality of Scandinavian food - and yes - they have to pay everybody enough for a living. Things - Americans never understand.

[@gullfeber]

living in the city of oslo is extremely hard to afford. no government give out economic aid, this generation will have enormous difficulties getting in on the housingmarked

[@mardiffv.8775]

Thank you for stopping Israel's Genocide, convice the Palestians Authority to sign a peace treaty and Hamas to stop fighting Israel. Then the Genocide stops.

[@rakn1112]

Israel ethnically cleansed most Palestinians ( many Palestinian Christians are now living in Jordan & Chile because Jews ban Palestinian civilians from returning to their homes & lands because they are simply not Jews , source : www.haaretz.com/1.5011075

[@unclestarwarssatchmo9848]

Thanks for the video! It's always nice as a scandinavian to learn from what people from an outsiders perspective has to say about our little corner of the world.

[@MathiasEmilKuntz1994]

Alcohol is expensive in Sweden and Norway, but buying a beer at the local supermarket in Denmark can be as little as 0.34euros.

[@elafl807]

Thats the same in Sweden. At a bar you might pay a lot of money for a single beer but at the supermarkets etc its always cheap

[@SlyHikari03]

Here because my teacher had us watch this in Economics. Interesting.

[@monizdm]

Because you get you pay for. Scandinavians actually see the whole chessboard.

[@harrisonwintergreen1147]

Get what you pay for? Try again. Denmark has a 180% tax on new cars.

[@vrenak]

@@harrisonwintergreen1147 85-150% not 180, your information is years out of date. Also it's about getting something for your taxes, not that the car is supposedly magically more fantastic in Denmark.

[@johndododoe1411]

@@vrenak Don't forget the billions in tax kroner spent on road improvements, like 4 lane freeways with very low traffic.

[@bartonseagrave9605]

Britain is exactly the same with everyone getting a cut before you get the goods and they also have a supposedly free health care system with very low standards but hyped up to make it sound better than it actually is. Their welfare system is one for you and ten for us. Their Politicians are on massive wages but do very little in return.

[@uktravel8341]

"Their politicians are on massive wages." The UK average wage is £32,000. An MP makes £81,932 a year. Do you think two and a half times the average is a "massive wage", when there are footballers and bankers on £5,000,000 a year plus (after tax)?

[@7StarsMA]

Obviously someone with opinions rather than experience.

[@cucumbercoo7816]

I've watched a lot of videos about Denmark and constantly they rank high in the global happiness index. Their government must be doing something right.

[@SimonRaahauge1973]

we trust each other, and we trust the government. that is the key. trust. And if you suck at trusting people, your country will suck as well.

[@hotasian9205]

Excuse me, the average monthly salary of several Nordic countries is more than 5,000 US dollars. Although the price is high, the welfare of the Nordic countries is much better than that of the United States. From birth, there is no need to worry about pensions, medical treatment, schooling, and various subsidies for childbirth. It's not a big deal if the prices are high.

[@jsebby2284]

Yes, it is a big deal if the prices are high lol

[@BatistaR0X]

People often forget, their minimum wages are twice the UK as well

[@harrisonwintergreen1147]

There is no minimum wage in any Scandanavian nation. www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/080515/5-developed-countries-without-minimum-wages.asp

[@ef888]

@@harrisonwintergreen1147 That is true, but the unionization rates are around two-thirds or higher, so they can negotiate much higher than a government set minimum wage.

[@jeyel4722]

As a norwegian I can safely conclude with: "Oil"

[@yaduagarwal4474]

I like norway.

[@Dk-ie4te]

@@yaduagarwal4474 I like turtles.

[@gullfeber]

and yet, youre WRONG. try again

[@jeyel4722]

@@gullfeber Im sorry where do you live?

[@gullfeber]

Norway, currently

[@JiTiAr35]

Scandinavia. Where Karl Marx dream's was supposed to be.

[@frederikmoeller88]

There is no such thing as income tax for companies. Theres a company tax if the company is profitable. So after expenses, you pay tax on the profit.

[@jacobdimech8840]

If you're a car lover (like me), don't move to Denmark. Your hopes and dreams will be shattered

[@samomuransky4455]

"There's the 25% VAT [on 300 kr item] leaving the seller with 225 kr." I can't even facepalm. Go back to elementary school, dude. If item costs 225 without VAT and you add 25% VAT, how much does it costs including VAT (220 * 1,25)? Hint: it's not 300. If total price is 300, then price without 25% VAT is 240 (240 * 1,25 = 300).

[@samomuransky4455]

Khristophoros1001 Except that VAT is calculated from basic price (without VAT), not from total price. Therefore your calculation is completely wrong.

[@samomuransky4455]

Khristophoros1001 I know, it's the same across the Europe. But that's not relevant at all, that's just the way result is put on the price tag. Calculation of VAT is based on the basic price: price without VAT + VAT = total price (and that total price is then shown to customer). If you just deduct VAT from total price, you get it wrong. I mean, it's logically impossible - if something costs 225 without tax and you tax it 25% you just can't get 300.

[@testatnu]

Correct. I always liked to look at it like VAT adds 1/4 on top of the price making it a total of 5 pieces for the end customer. That means you can calculate backwards by multiplying it by 0.8, 300 SEK * 0.8 = 240 SEK.

[@psycho5553]

You cant remove 25% of something then add 25% back and expect its the same price?, its not the same thing (simple maths)

[@raghavgupta7715]

2:52 that kid is deciding if he should vote for his party in the future or not right there!

[@mortenkrogh8599]

In Norway things that actually financially matters are not expensive. For cars most people buy electric car since it is tax-free. A new Tesla cost from 35000 Euro. Buying realestate is heavily subsidized so it's actually cheap in the long run. Electricity is starting to become more expensive, but compared to gasoline and since many Norwgians drive EVs the running cost for traveling by car is very cheap. Electronics, clothes, furniture are all pretty cheap in Norway. Also for tourists, hotels in Norway, especially business hotels in cities are cheap. What's really expensive in Norway is alcohol, tobacco, gasoline i.e stuff that are bad for you is expensive, but more healthy options is cheaper. So all in all it's not so expensive.

[@Shallowwhisper]

Interesting!!! Regardless of expenses, I want to visit Scandinavia one day!!! Greetings from the US. 😃

[@MrCribba76]

As for Sweden go to Islands area (skärgården) in summertime or somewhere north to have a nice tuorism. When it comes to Stockholm city, you have closer to Detroit 🙂

[@simon5005]

My family came from Denmark in the early 1900's, and I wish I could go back because living in America now is beyond embarrassing and humiliating..........but at 63-years old; it's too difficult to make a move like that anymore.

[@gfhfhrthsefsehtjgngd]

It's never too late. Look at your life as a pile of cash. Don't spend it all in one place.

[@gc6854]

Expensive but a wonderful quality of life which is more important than price of goods.

[@PaoloCavestro-ey9bb]

Great Britain, Canada, United States and in general every Anglosaxon ( or with a strong Anglosaxon influence) country,are much,much more expensive than Scandinavia.

[@marinasve1610]

If you live here in Scandinavia you can understand why if you dont , dont try to understand

[@karekosmos2310]

In such comparisons they tend to forget about purchase power. Even if it is expensive for tourists, I believe that the people in Scandinavia can buy more in total than people in other countries can.

[@bafattvahetere]

It's purchase power that counts. Nothing else.

[@loodinek]

The state run alcohol monopoly doesn't increase the prices, it's the state tax on alcohol which dictates the price. And actually the alcohol isn't that expensive. "Cheap alcohol" is but you get a nice bottle of whisky for pretty much the same price as anywhere else in the world.

[@fredeaston3988]

Sprit is inte bra for dig Regeringen vet vad ar best for dig

[@gullfeber]

newsflash, sprit er faktisk ikke bra for deg

[@iamchriswick]

As a Norwegian I can tell you that more than 40% of Norwegians are not happy with how things are.

[@Bynasf]

And how do you know this?

[@gullfeber]

he dont

[@coopsnz1]

80% of population in Australia hate high taxation

[@kayzeaza]

They make more money than most us citizens

[@mataba8026]

do we? My salary before tax was 4 377 usd after tax (what i got acctuly paid) 2 980 usd pr month. Is that much more cash to me than skilled workers in the US?

[@kayzeaza]

Tjukken I get paid 500$ at McDonald’s

[@mataba8026]

McDonald's all respect for working there, it is good honest work. But it is not good pay, not even here. My job have technical requirements and degrees. So not to diss you, i do respect you and your work. but your job and pay cannot be compared like that. I am not sure on McDonald's pay here, but it is for certain no way near my pay. Just checked union McDonald's employer, full time over 20yo should make about 2 647 usd before tax pr month and would pay about 500 - 510 usd in tax (Better than i first thought) So yes, the differents up is quit good. Even tho you with your work here be better for you, the stuff hear is not that much higher. You would not need extra health insurance . And you could shop smart in discount stores.

[@storfrassin]

Not all in Finland are rich! Food rent money and and other important things are real expensive!

[@michaelbeerbados3291]

and pay a far higher % in taxes so their take home is likely less.. MORON

[@gexd5805]

A big mac is more expensive in the us than Denmark relative to the countries average income per citizen....

[@daniloalmeida5578]

Visiting Sweden this year, at first I was afraid because everyone says it is so expensive. And it proved the contrary. It’s not that astronomically high compared to what they get in return for what they pay in taxes. I am Brazilian and I can honestly say that we also pay one of the highest tax rates in the world and get nothing back (with quality). In fact, some basic products here are more expensive than in Sweden.

[@venavive]

I never understood people complaining about the US being horrible while praising Scandovenian countries. I live in a state where I pay 10% income tax and 6% sales tax. I get to keep almost 90% of my own hard earn money so i can afford my own healthcare insurance, education and car. That's what we call freedom here, give me my money, I will pay for my own stuff. The poor and elderly have government insurance(Medicare and medicaid) and the government does a very bad job running it. Why would we want nearly 350 million people on monopoly health care insurance run by politicians is beyond me. There are 900 healthcare providers here, and they should compete for my business. While there are many reasons on our expensive healthcare such as our unhealthy lifestyle and lawsuit insurance etc. I love the free market and the spirit of entrepreneurship. You will also find people are fleeing liberal states in America because of high tax and high expensive. Do a little research you will find Americans are the most generous people who have given their time and money to help others without being force by a government to tax us to death so they can do as they please with our fund. If your small country with small population is able to operate well by taxing you high, control businesses and providing social benefits for you all...wonderful...but I wouldn't want that.

[@mimjan8362]

But I have never heard of a Scandinavian person complain about taxes, because GDP per Capita

[@someonelastname3151]

Swizerland is so much more expensive 😂

[@rxwh]

lily camber I thought it was pretty much the same prices as here, but we pay taxes and Swiss don't?

[@pektowanderlust]

Swiss banks hordes money from Third-world autocratic countries...

[@bakuryukenji3802]

Then i was in sweden last year, i thinked so: oh theyre not so expensive like everyobe says. But then i remember, im from switzerland 😅

[@Frank1172]

@@rxwh and yet Swiss welfare is on par, if not even better managed, than that of the three Scandinavian countries... Let's give that a thought for a moment or two...

[@rxwh]

@@Frank1172 well, we weren't talking about welfare, so I won't spare that a thought or two.

[@nonecked7882]

🇩🇰Denmark: passive and peasefull 🇧🇻Norway: Rich and luxerious 🇸🇪Sweden: Ikea and meatballs

[@coopsnz1]

Highest household debt in world, so Scandavian aren't millionaire idiot

[@วิวัฒน์ชูติกมลธรรม]

One time he fell sick here in my country (Thailand) and I took him to a private hospital, he got treated (in his own word) "like a king" with first-class service and everybody's smiling faces. He got pampered so much that he wanted to stay longer. Of course, he had to pay dearly (by Thailand's standard), but he said it was inexpensive by his country's standard. I really could not understand.

[@propagandacritic5511]

I disagree with the conclusion. More liberty = more competition = more efficiency = more productivity and innovation = more affordable goods and services.

[@Nemkis]

Because the U.S healthcare isn't the most expensive healthcare system in the world? Okay.

[@propagandacritic5511]

Whoever said the US has a free market healthcare system? We have a Fascist government cartel.

[@moonliteX]

and less happiness.

[@charlech]

@@moonliteX less happiness for people who make bad decisions in life

[@moonliteX]

@@charlech nope. just less happiness in general. that's why the nordic countries and others that take care of their citizens rate highest in the happiness studies. in the US happiness is measured in personal belongings and money but here we've noticed that money doesn't make anyone happy. it's the well-being of everybody around you and the security of that you'll be taken care of no matter what happens that seems to make people happy :)

[@essenzano]

Report does not mention the high wages and absence of low-pay work! Happy @5Nordics 😀

[@Guilherme-nc5li]

There are plenty of other european countries with free health care and education, I have noo idea why Scandinavia gets all the hype.

[@plushiie_]

Nero Oren because non European countries think we are socialist, suecidal and not prepared for the future. And also jealous

[@marcotd7923]

Because in other European countries there is this system but unfortunately it doesn't work well. In Italy if you aren't poor you gave to pay high taxes, services are appalling and wages are very low

[@fabian6435]

Aaaand because we invented it

[@coopsnz1]

It's not free for middle class

[@p.qmorik9207]

Guilherme because Scandinavian countries suck less?

[@Piccle]

Compared to Norway, Sweden is unbelievably cheap, that's why Norwegians love going to Sweden so much

[@medibous3257]

As HydrangeaDragon said is right It's not expensive, y'all are just poor .

[@hiddencorpsa1630]

No 300 kronor is 30 dollars not freakin 300 dollars

[@vinrusso821]

The US per capita income is higher than EVERY scandanavian country, yet much lower income tax, gas is 3 times cheaper, it's pretty easy to see. Scandanavians have a complex about how good it is in the states.

[@slurpii4669]

If my country was as developed as scandinavia, I wouldn't complain about paying my taxes, since I know my money is being well used

[@eltoro969]

Most Norwegians don't complain about it though. The one's complainig about it are usually the richest which is pretty ironic.

[@camillelademora]

Well if you can live a good life why bother, we pay high for the best. If you aren't getting what you're paying for you are being scammed just like my country

[@edvinkarlsson5801]

Tobacco and alcohol is litterally over twice as expensive in norway as in sweden

[@essel23fly]

I’ve never seen a video clip showing snow on these Scandinavian cities. They always just look clean and nice. They’ve got to be frozen most of the year.

[@blueheart8786]

Funny so often mention that Nordic cities are so clean - that should be the norm I am more surprised by how aweful dirty many foreign cities are and surprised about all the garbage I saw everywhere in USA.

[@JamesBond-ss8uy]

Its not as cold as you think

[@surfie007]

Australia is basically just like Scandinavia economic wise. Everything is very expensive yet it is one of the most happiest countries in the world and has free state education, free basic healthcare and unemployment and senior allowances

[@PP-yx4rv]

university certainly wasnt free when i sudied there a few years back, even for the locals.

[@surfie007]

I was more referring more to state primary and high schools. However theres a loan from the government you can get if you're an Australian or New Zealand resident or citizen and once you make $56k per year or more 4% of your income goes towards paying the interest free loan.

[@fredeaston3988]

Unless you're Aboriginal.Who are you shitting,mate?

[@lunafringe10]

the emphasis is on"basic" healthcare. just pray you dont have a serious illness ever

[@coopsnz1]

10% - 23% tax on goods , cars 13% - 51% , income tax 32% - 45% . Middle class in highest tax bracket when you combined all taxes is 70%

[@RicemanTV]

Boring and expensive. Doesn't sound like a place I want to live in

[@santerimyl]

You sound like a youtuber that needs to shut up

[@bazzakrak]

Yeah mister "pulling out chair prank" person, you keep doing that and injuring people and let us live our nice and happy lives.

[@magnusorn7313]

by "boring" you wouldnt happen to mean "the constant chance of going into debt due to a car issue or one trip to the doctors"

[@natashakershaw5581]

Isn't it weird that people like Dutch, German and Scandinavians are so uncommon in Britain, yet always seem so familiar once they get to know you? (I know they can be common sometimes, but not as predictable to meet as Irish, Scottish, Polish, Spanish, French, Italian, Romanian, etc.) Not that I have anything against it, but they all just seem so common everywhere in comparison.

[@stevengilland3433]

Hello Natasha how're you doing today? Happy new year