I think your barkin up the wrong tree here? the standards of living in at least 9 ,of the top 15 ,are actually as high or HIGHER than ours. With the Netherlands Germany Switzerland, and Sweden leading the charge.
Actually only ONE of the fifteen have standards of living "as high or HIGHER than ours", Norway with gdp per capita of $47,800. The US has a gdp per capita of $43,500. Netherlands-$31,700, Germany-$31,400 Switzerland- $33,600, and Sweden-$31,600 MARK
Account balance
1 China $ 179,100,000,000 2006 est.
2 Japan $ 174,400,000,000 2006 est.
3 Germany $ 134,800,000,000 2006 est.
4 Russia $ 105,300,000,000 2006 est.
5 Saudi Arabia $ 103,800,000,000 2006 est.
6 Norway $ 63,330,000,000 2006 est.
7 Switzerland $ 50,440,000,000 2006 est.
8 Netherlands $ 50,170,000,000 2006 est.
9 Kuwait $ 40,750,000,000 2006 est.
10 Singapore $ 35,580,000,000 2006 est.
11 Venezuela $ 31,820,000,000 2006 est.
12 Sweden $ 28,610,000,000 2006 est.
13 United Arab Emirates $ 26,890,000,000 2006 est.
14 Algeria $ 25,800,000,000 2006 est.
15 Hong Kong $ 20,900,000,000 2006 est.
GDP per capita
1 Bermuda $ 69,900 2004 est.
2 Luxembourg $ 68,800 2006 est.
3 Jersey $ 57,000 2005 est.
4 Equatorial Guinea $ 50,200 2005 est.
5 United Arab Emirates $ 49,700 2006 est.
6 Norway $ 47,800 2006 est.
7 Guernsey $ 44,600 2005
8 Cayman Islands $ 43,800 2004 est.
9 Ireland $ 43,600 2006 est.
10 United States $ 43,500 2006 est.
11 Andorra $ 38,800 2005
12 British Virgin Islands $ 38,500 2004 est.
13 Iceland $ 38,100 2006 est.
14 Denmark $ 37,000 2006 est.
15 Hong Kong $ 36,500 2006 est.