of life, a recent survey by an international newsletter shows.

However, it ranked second under the heading of best economy in International Living's 17th annual quality of life survey and notched up two perfect scores.

Bermuda scored perfect hundreds in the categories of safety and risk and freedom. It was ranked 18th overall alongside the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Portugal and Puerto Rico.

The survey identified the United States as having the best quality of life with first place finishes in the categories of economy and infrastructure.

Canada was the runner up and Australia placed third. The top three finishers each had perfect scores in the categories of freedom and safety as well.

Categories that countries are reviewed under and the percentage of the final score they were worth (in brackets) include cost of living (20); culture and recreation (12); economy (20); freedom (12); health (12); infrastructure (12); and safety and risk (12). India was rated the least expensive country, Monaco the country with the best culture and recreation, and the Channel Islands topped the list of the healthiest countries.

Tourism competitors Bahamas, Puerto Rico and St. Kitts and Nevis ranked fourth through sixth respectively on the top ten list of countries with the best culture and recreation.