I live in a country where majority of government revenue are stolen by corrupt politicians. In my continent Libya used to have a high standard of living.  But everything turned upside down after the death of Muammar Gaddafi. Currently, Egypt has a sound tax system that had impacted the life if citizens. But I have read that Scandinavia invest on its citizens wellbeing.  Education from primary to university is free and other payments are cheap compared to other European countries..I also that they invest heavily in infrastructure.