What measures should be used to determine the success and well being of a country?

Economic factors such as: unemployment rate, per capita income, percent of people below the poverty line, distribution of wealth, i.e. the income gap between rich and poor,. Health factors such as: life expectancy, infant mortality, availability of health care for all. Education factors such as: literacy rate, average years of education, science and math achievement (studies which have compared students of different countries), availability of free public education. Law enforcement, public safety: violent crime rate, incarceration rate, recidivism, number of terrorist attacks.

I would say the overall quality of life for a majority of the people and whether people are happy and harmonious. Economic growth is important, but ideally that growth isn't just going primarily to a small percentage of people. These countries mind their own business and try to work with and not against other countries. They have good health care, education, and good environmental policies. They have low crime rates. They have freedoms and civil liberties.

I don't think the US compares that well any more. We have growth but fewer and fewer people benefit from it. We are hated around the world now, we have too much crime, a bad health care system, and suddenly eroding civil liberties. The best part may be that we do have a very dynamic economy and it is easy to start a business, etc..

Observe compassion...The US ranks low. The news media talks about our generosity and we do give a lot because we have a lot. It's no burden for the very rich to give thousands, but here's the catch...Give until it hurts. Real giving is sacrifice and when it begins to hurt we start to see the truth

The UN Human development Index (HDI)is one. As you see here the US is placed 8th. smaller countries seem to fare better.