Time and space open the door to the good life

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), which markets top-quality market information to top-earning companies able to pay top prices to keep ahead in the global marketplace, also releases titbits for us ordinary mortals, just so that we know what we're missing. Last month it covered quality of life in cities, as measured by global expats (Regeneration & Renewal, 1 October, p18). Now it's done the same for countries. And surprise, surprise, it's the same story: nine of the top ten countries are European, as are five of the top 12 cities.