25 countries offering best business environment

Most reports on sustainability focus on environmental issues, but a country's sustainability depends on much more than just environmental factors, according to RobecoSAM, a Switzerland-based investment group.

It says that for a nation to safeguard its future it needs to focus on several issues, including social, economy and governance. RobecoSAM has recently released a report that ranks countries based on three factors: Environmental, social and governance. Here's how it explains them:

Environmental dimension: Nations that depend heavily on fossil fuel import are susceptible to price fluctuations and/or shortage. Natural calamities, such as floods, also add to the risk factor.

Social dimension: Strikes or unrest by workers pose a big risk to investment.

Governance dimension: Rate of corruption, internal conflict and regulations are other factors that can have an adverse impact on businesses.

Let's have a look and see where India ranks among countries offering best business and life environment.

NOTE: Each country receives a total score ranging from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.

Source: robecosam.com

Click NEXT to see India's rank among 59 nations studied by the Swiss firm...

India

Environmental score: 0.4

Social score: 1.2

Governance score: 4.4

Overall rank: 47

Although India, the 10th-largest economy in the world based on nominal GDP, has taken a number of steps to improve governance, social indicators and environmental problems, a lot remains to be achieved in these areas.

Click NEXT to see 25 countries offering best business and life environment...

Sweden

Environmental score: 1.2

Social score: 2.8

Governance score: 8.25

Overall rank: 1

Sweden, which has the second-highest total tax revenue in the world, is one of the least unequal nations in the globe, has one of the best healthcare and education systems and is constantly ranked high in having cleanest reputation.

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Australia

Environmental score: 0.9

Social score: 2.5

Governance score: 7.87

Overall rank: 2

Australia, which has the fifth-highest per capita income in the world, offers excellent health and education systems, lot of business freedom and safeguards political rights and liberties.

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Switzerland

Environmental score: 1.1

Social score: 2.7

Governance score: 7.83

Overall rank: 3

Switzerland, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, has been constantly ranked among nations that offer highest quality of life.

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Denmark

Environmental score: 1.0

Social score: 2.5

Governance score: 7.71

Overall rank: 4

Denmark, which has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, is one of the least unequal countries, has excellent social mobility and ranks near the bottom in corruption.

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Norway

Environmental score: 1.3

Social score: 3.0

Governance score: 7.68

Overall rank: 5

Norway, which is one of the least populated countries in the world, offers world-class healthcare, subsidised higher education and a generous safety net.

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United Kingdom

Environmental score: 0.9

Social score: 2.5

Governance score: 7.57

Overall rank: 6

United Kingdom, which has the eighth-largest economy by purchasing power parity in the world, is one of the biggest exporter and importer of goods in the globe.

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Canada

Environmental score: 0.8

Social score: 2.6

Governance score: 7.53

Overall rank: 7

Canada, which has the ninth highest per capita in the world, offers one of the best education, healthcare and economic freedom in the globe.

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Finland

Environmental score: 0.7

Social score: 2.5

Governance score: 7.36

Overall rank: 8

Finland, which has a population of 5.4 million, is one of the richest nations in the world, has a highly competitive economy and provides excellent quality of life.

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United States

Environmental score: 0.5

Social score: 2.5

Governance score: 7.27

Overall rank: 9

United States, the world's largest economy, is a global leader in research and innovation. It not only has a competitive economy, but also provides extensive social and business freedom.

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The Netherlands

Environmental score: 0.3

Social score: 2.2

Governance score: 7.22

Overall rank: 10

The Netherlands, which has been ranked as the happiest country in the world, is one of the most open societies in the globe.

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Austria

Environmental score: 1.1

Social score: 2.8

Governance score: 7.17

Overall rank: 11

Austria, one of the wealthiest nations in the world, has been constantly ranked high among countries providing excellent quality of life.

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New Zealand

Environmental score: 0.5

Social score: 1.3

Governance score: 7.16

Overall rank: 12

New Zealand, one of the biggest exporters of dairy products, meat and wine, has a highly developed economy.

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Ireland

Environmental score: 0.6

Social score: 1.3

Governance score: 7.01

Overall rank: 13

Ireland, which provides lots of economic and political freedom, is one of the most developed countries in the world.

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Singapore

Environmental score: 0.5

Social score: 1.1

Governance score: 6.83

Overall rank: 14

Singapore, which has one of the busiest ports in the world, is a leading business and financial hub.

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Germany

Environmental score: 1.0

Social score: 2.6

Governance score: 6.71

Overall rank: 15

Germany, a major economic power of the world, provides excellent standard of living, world-class healthcare and one of the best education systems in the globe.

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Hong Kong

Environmental score: 0.3

Social score: 2.2

Governance score: 6.51

Overall rank: 16

Hong Kong, which has one of the most traded currencies in the world, is a major business and financial hub. It constantly ranks high in quality of life, business freedom and human development index.

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Japan

Environmental score: 0.2

Social score: 2.1

Governance score: 6.26

Overall rank: 17

Japan, which has the third-largest economy in the world, has the second-highest life expectancy rate, third-lowest infant mortality rate and one of the most business-friendly economies.

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Chile

Environmental score: 0.2

Social score: 1.8

Governance score: 6.20

Overall rank: 18

Chile, one of the wealthiest nations in South America, is the continent's leader in per capita income, economic freedom and low corruption.

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France

Environmental score: 0.8

Social score: 2.6

Governance score: 6.20

Overall rank: 19

France, the third-largest nation in Europe, provides one of the best education systems, healthcare and standard of living.

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Belgium

Environmental score: 0.5

Social score: 2.3

Governance score: 6.20

Overall rank: 20

Belgium, whose economy is heavily dependent on the services sector, has world-class infrastructure, standard of living and business freedom.

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Poland

Environmental score: 0.6

Social score: 2.2

Governance score: 5.97

Overall rank: 21

Poland, which has one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe, is ranked high both in terms of human development index and business freedom.

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Italy

Environmental score: 0.8

Social score: 2.3

Governance score: 5.94

Overall rank: 22

Italy, which is one of the most globalised countries in the world, enjoys impressive standard of living, excellent education system and a high per capita income.

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Qatar

Environmental score: 1.0

Social score: 2.2

Governance score: 5.88

Overall rank: 23

Qatar, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, enjoys highest human development index in the Middle East.

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Czech Republic

Environmental score: 0.7

Social score: 2.5

Governance score: 5.79

Overall rank: 24

Czech Republic, one of the most healthy and democratic countries in the region, has the highest human development ranking in Central and Eastern Europe.

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United Arab Emirates

Environmental score: 0.7

Social score: 2.2

Governance score: 5.72

Overall rank: 25

United Arab Emirates, which has one of the highest reserves of oil and natural gas, enjoys seventh-highest per capita income in the world and is one of the most developed nations in the region.

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