Statistics like theese means nothing. You cant compare by simply look at the income. How do you calculate the value of free healthcare and education? How many poor people in USA has the same standard of healthcare as the wealthy?, and free education (college as well) untill your 50 years old. One also have to look at the costs of living differences. Most people have the possibility to own their own home in Sweden, even if they don't have a college education, and the cost of things like cable and cell phones are much more resonable. If you buy a car in Sweden and have to take a loan, even if its your first loan ever, and your monthly income is low, the interest on that loan will be under 8% When I bought my first car at the age of eighteen they did not even ask me about my income. The interest was set at 6,5 % and the car was seen as security for the loan.
As a poor person in the US it can be very difficult to live a decent life whit the same quality as someone whit an average income. In Sweden no matter of your situation you are guaranteed to have clothes to wear, food to eat, and a decent place to live. And that is something you cant count in percentage.
/Marcus, born and raised in Sweden, currently living in San Diego.
