Sometimes it is necessary to look at things from the outside in order to evaluate them objectively. This is the case with Nick O'Brien, an American influencer passionate about Spain who has become known for his defense of this country. O'Brien, who has lived in Madrid for 6 years, has an account on X, the old Twitter, in which he talks about different aspects of life in this part of the peninsula and whose presentation is “a case for Spain as the best country in the world”.
It's not just about your personal preferences. In a thread published yesterday that has gone viral, with more than 10 million impressions, O'Brien argues with data from different sources the reason for his statement.
This is a long thread that not only focuses on the highlights, but also talks about some negative aspects of life in Spain. compared to the rest of the European Union countries.
A look at how Spain compares to the rest of the EU —
The good, the bad, and the ugly.
(to 🧵) pic.twitter.com/9uiXz3O9Yq
— Nick O'Brien (@NickLovesSpain) May 23, 2024
Among other reasons, O'Brien highlights that Spain has the highest life expectancy of Europe with 83.18 years, according to a report by the World Bank Group, and with 5 of the 10 best cities to live, the first four being Spanish: Málaga, Alicante, Valencia, Madrid and already in sixth position, Barcelona. This classification was made by Forbes.
3. Most Beautiful Small Towns in the EU
1. Albarracín (Spain)
2. Bled (Slovenia)
3. Giethoorn (Netherlands)
4. Gordes (France)
5. Hallstatt (Austria)(Condé Nast Traveler, 2023) pic.twitter.com/RbYtyJ3h6Y
— Nick O'Brien (@NickLovesSpain) May 23, 2024
If we go to the townsit turns out that Conde Nast Traveler recognized Albarracín, Teruel, as the most beautiful of all those in the EU. And 7 Spanish cities are located among the 10 sunniest. A list of Holidu headed by Málaga, Alicante and Murcia and followed, among those from other countries, by Seville, Córdoba, Madrid and Zaragoza.
In the gastronomic section, the 3 best restaurants in Europe are located in Spain, according to The World's 50 Best Restaurants. These are Enjoy in Barcelona, DiverXO in Madrid and Asador Etxebarri in Axpe, Vizcaya.
12. Sexiest Accent in the EU
1. Irish
2. Italian
3.French
4. Spanish
5. Czech
6.Hungarian
7. Danish
8. Polish
9. Dutch
10.Greek(Seasia Stats, 2024) pic.twitter.com/O7y9Ka8Yxd
— Nick O'Brien (@NickLovesSpain) May 23, 2024
Other aspects in which Spain has a prominent position are in the best bars, chefs and sommeliers, best food, UNESCO world heritage sites and biosphere reserves by the same organization. It is also among the countries with better roads, public transportation and even, it seems, we have the fourth sexiest accent in the EU.
25. Most Economic Freedom in the EU
“Economic freedom is the fundamental right of every human to control his or her own labor and property. In an economically free society, individuals are free to work, produce, consume, and invest in any way they please. In economically free… pic.twitter.com/n0H10mGKKp
— Nick O'Brien (@NickLovesSpain) May 23, 2024
On the negative sideO'Brien points out the very low birth ratethe penultimate in the EU with 1.2 children per woman, poor command of Englishits position, 17, among the happiest countries, also the mediocre position among those with the most freedom of the press15, according to Reporters Without Borders, and the high rate of unemployment and divorce. Finally, he points out the poor position of Spain in security16, and the very bad one in economic freedom25 out of 27 countries.