In its "State of the World’s Mothers 2015" annual report, Save the Children, an international nongovernmental organization, indicated that Norway is the best place in the world to be a mother.

The report analyzed conditions for mothers and their children in 179 countries around the globe, more than in any previous year.

Rankings were determined by each country's score in the Mothers' Index, which is comprised of five indicators: mothers' maternal health, children's well-being, education status, economic status and political status.

Norway placed at the top of the list this year based on its strong performance in all categories, followed by Finland and Iceland. Northern European countries, which have a reputation for good welfare systems, dominated the top five.

The top 10 countries all attained very high scores in all five categories comprising the Mothers’ Index.

Somalia took last place in the rankings, performing poorly in all indicators. Most of the 10 bottom-ranked countries are located in West and Central Africa.

China ranked 61st, ahead of large emerging economies such as Brazil, South Africa and India but behind South Korea and Singapore.

The following are the 10 best countries to be a mother in 2015.

 Belgium

Belgium [File photo]

Lifetime risk of maternal death: 1 in 8,700

Under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000 live births): 4.4

Expected years of formal schooling: 16.3

Gross national income per capita: US$46,290

Positions in national government held by women: 42.4 percent