If there has ever been a good reason to move Down Under, let it be this.
New research published in the journal Risk Analysis reckons the nation nicknamed 'the lucky country' is one of the best spots to wait out the end of days.
As well as Australia, the study revealed its trans-Tasman neighbour New Zealand also scores highly on the survivalist index, with fellow island nations Iceland, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu listed as big winners.
These island nations are the most capable of providing enough food and resources for their populations in situations that may result in an 'abrupt sunlight‐reducing catastrophe'.
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So think nuclear war, a supervolcano explosion, or an asteroid strike.
Researchers state there would 'likely be pockets of survivors around the planet' even in the 'most severe' scenarios.
Those in the aforementioned island nations, with greater resiliency and resources, stand the best chance against a collapse of humanity and industry.
Researchers compared 38 different island countries across 13 categories that could mean life or death in a post-apocalyptic survival state.
Factors included food production, energy self-sufficiency, manufacturing, and the impact on climate.
Australia and New Zealand sat at the top of the pops thanks to their isolation from likely nuclear sites and high rates of agricultural production.
Overall though, Australia came out as the best spot to be if there is an apocalypse.
"Australia’s food supply buffer is gigantic with potential to feed many tens of millions of extra people," the study reads.
Other factors that earned Australia its gold star were its good infrastructure, its vast energy surplus, and a high security/defence budget.
There was one drawback to being Down Under: The trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Its joint military allegiance with the UK and the US mean the nation is more likely to become a target in case of nuclear war.
This is where New Zealand performed stronger.
It's nuclear-free and is resilient in the event of a sudden drop in global temperature brought on by a period of darkness, as everywhere within the Kiwi nation is close to the sea, creating a temperature buffer.
"We have this super efficient food export economy that could feed New Zealanders multiple times over just from exports," University of Otago professor Nick Wilson said, who co-authored the study.
Even in the worst-case scenario - which would be 61 per cent reduction in crops during a prolonged nuclear winter, according to the science boffins - New Zealanders would still have enough to eat.
Comparatively, China, Russia and the US would see food production drop by an eye-watering 97 per cent if a nuclear winter strikes.
We know where we'd rather be.
Topics: Australia, News, World News
Rachel Lang