> The US for example is a highly regulated welfare state Compared to Sweden and the other Nordic countries, or even most of Europe, I'm not sure I'd consider t

> The US for example is a highly regulated welfare state Compared to Sweden and the other Nordic countries, or even most of Europe, I'm not sure I'd consider the US a welfare state. You need (a lot of) money to fare well in the US. In Sweden education and healthcare is free(1). If you have good enough grades, no matter your background/wealth, you can go to the best universities in the country. The government will even pay you a little for doing so. We have 400 days of (combined) parental leave/child and putting your kids in kindergarten is heavily subsidized (for two kids the maximum amount is $150/month, if your combined salary is below a certain threshold you pay less). Besides you are never(2) expected to work more than 8hrs/day 5days/week and have a legal right to at least 5 weeks of vacation per year. I think these are very important factors because it allows for both having a healthy work/family life as well as both parents working full-time(3). (1) There is a minor fee for seeing a doctor but that's just to keep imaginary sick people from going every day. (2) For reasonable companies, which if you want to be if you're gonna keep well-educated employees around. (3) Or nearly so, if you have children under 8yrs you are legally allowed to work anywhere between 75%-100% which many parents do. Of course you can probably cut a deal with you employer even if you don't have kids, but then it's up to the goodwill of said employer.