ASTANA (Interfax) — Kazakhstan occupies 56^th place in the Legatum Institute’s 2015 Prosperity Index, being one position down since the last year. However, Kazakhstan leads Central Asian republics. It is followed by Uzbekistan (57^th), Kyrgyzstan (66^th) and Tajikistan (91^st). Turkmenistan is not included in the rating.

Amongst former Soviet republics, the best ranking is obtained by Latvia (40^th position) and Lithuania (41st). Belarus is downgraded from the 53^rd to the 63^rd position, and Ukraine went down from the 63^rd position to the 70st. Meanwhile, Russia climbed ten places to 58st place.

The Legatum Institute Prosperity Index has eight categories: economy, education, health, personal freedom, safety and security, entrepreneurship and opportunity, governance and social capital. The Prosperity Index involves 142 states, 96% of the global population and 99% of global GDP.

Norway retains the leading position; its first runner-ups are Switzerland, whose position is also changed, and Denmark. The top ten prosperous countries of the world also include New Zealand, Sweden, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Finland and Ireland.

The Central African Republic is at the bottom of the list.