DAMMAM: Saudi Arabia was ranked first among Arab countries and 38th globally for respecting the rights of mothers and children, the 16th annual Mothers’ Index for 2015, released by Save the Children organization, has revealed.

According to the study, the percentage of infant mortality in the Kingdom (under five years) has reached 15.5 percent for each 1,000 children, and children get 16.3 years of formal schooling. Lifetime risk of maternal death is 1 in 2,200; gross national income per capita $26,260 while participation of women in national government is 19.9 percent.

Mothers’ Index ranks 179 countries according to five factors related to maternal health, female political participation, economic and educational status and children’s well-being, to indicate in which country it is best to be a mother.

Carolyn Miles, president and CEO of Save the Children, said: “The data shows that countries’ economic situation is not the only factor that leads to happiness and welfare of mothers, but the policy of the country is just as important.” “We need to do more to make sure that all mothers and babies have a fair chance of survival and a healthy life, no matter where they live,” Carolyn Miles added.

According to the study, Norway ranked first in the index, as the infant mortality rate under the age of five was only 0.3 percent, as well as children in that country get 17.5 years of formal schooling.

Finland was placed at the second spot, followed by Iceland, which refers to the increased interest of the Scandinavian countries to mothers as they occupied the top five positions.