America’s reputation as the greatest nation in the world came from a real moment in history. After World War II, the U.S. dominated global industry, military power, and cultural influence. For a time, it genuinely stood at the top.
The Make America Great Again movement argues that the country has fallen from that peak. In that sense, MAGA is correct. But the decline did not start with the previous administration — or any single presidency. It is structural, decades in the making, and no slogan will fix it.
Objectively, when you compare the U.S. with other wealthy democracies, the numbers show a steady slide in health, education, safety, and economic stability. These are deep issues that no movement can fix with simple promises.
1. Life expectancy is lower than in peer nations
Americans live an average of 78 years. People in the UK live about 81 years, and countries like Japan and Switzerland reach 83 to 84. The U.S. trails most high-income nations in overall longevity.
2. Infant mortality remains higher than in similar countries
The U.S. records about 5.4 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. The UK averages 3.6. Many wealthy nations fall between 2 and 3, placing the U.S. near the bottom of the OECD, a group of 38 high-income democracies.
3. Maternal mortality is an outlier among rich nations
About 22 to 24 American women die per 100,000 births. In the UK, the figure is about 10. Across Western Europe, rates are often between 2 and 4. The gap is large and persistent.
4. Health care spending is the highest in the world
The U.S. spends roughly $12,500 or more per person each year on health care. The OECD average is about $6,000. The UK spends around $5,500. No other wealthy nation comes close to U.S. spending.
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5. Health outcomes still trail other wealthy nations
About 210 Americans per 100,000 die from causes that should be avoidable with effective public health, compared with about 154 in the UK. Treatable mortality shows a similar pattern, with about 88 U.S. deaths per 100,000 versus about 55 in the UK.
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6. Education performance falls behind global leaders
On international PISA tests, an OECD assessment that measures how well 15-year-olds perform in math, reading, and science, U.S. students score about 465 in math, below the OECD average of about 472 and behind countries such as Poland, Slovenia, and Estonia, which often score between 490 and 530.
Reading and science scores sit near the OECD average. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore score far higher, often between 520 and 575.
7. Higher education costs significantly more
American students often pay $10,000 to $30,000 per year in tuition, depending on the institution. Across Europe and much of the OECD, public universities charge little or no tuition, making the U.S. an extreme outlier on cost.
8. Income inequality is among the highest in developed nations
The U.S. Gini coefficient, a common measure of income inequality where higher numbers mean a wider gap between rich and poor, is about 0.39 to 0.41 after taxes and transfers. Countries like France, Germany, and the Netherlands often fall between 0.25 and 0.32. The U.S. maintains one of the widest income gaps in the OECD.
9. Gun deaths far exceed other wealthy countries
The U.S. records roughly 14 firearm deaths per 100,000 people. Australia averages about 1 per 100,000. Other high-income nations also stay near or below this level. America has far more gun deaths than any comparable wealthy country.
10. The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world
America imprisons about 629 people per 100,000 residents. The UK imprisons about 140. Canada averages 104. Germany and Japan report 69 and 37. No other high-income democracy is close to U.S. levels.
11. The U.S. offers no guaranteed paid parental leave
Federal law provides zero weeks of paid maternity or parental leave. The UK offers about 39 weeks of paid maternity leave. Estonia provides about 86 weeks, and Japan offers about 58. The U.S. is the only OECD country with no federal guarantee.
12. Child poverty is higher than in other wealthy nations
About 20% of American children live in relative poverty as defined by the OECD. In the UK, the figure is about 12%. The OECD average is around 13%. The U.S. consistently reports one of the highest child poverty rates among developed nations.
Making America great again
The U.S. remains influential in culture, technology, and global leadership. Its economy is the world’s largest, and its military is unmatched. But the numbers show clear weaknesses in areas that directly affect the health and wealth of the American people.
Fixing these issues requires more than nostalgia. It means looking at what peer nations have done better and being willing to adopt policies that work, even if they challenge long-held assumptions. A country serious about greatness would measure itself honestly and close the gaps that matter most to its citizens.
Sources
OECD (life expectancy); OECD (infant mortality); WHO, OECD (health spending); OECD (health outcomes); OECD (education); OECD (income inequality); OECD (child poverty); CDC; World Prison Brief; OECD (parental leave)
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