Finland

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With just over 5 million people, Finland has roughly the same population as Scotland. It is Europe's largest archipelago and home to Nokia.

Finland gained its Independence in 1917. Since then the country has gone from strength to strength. In 1917 Finland was one of the least advanced economies in Europe. Today, it is one of Europe's richest and most successful nations. In fact, according to the World Economic Forum, Finland has the world's most competitive economy.

The secret of Finland's success is a high level of public investment in education and training. Finland's education system is one of the best in the world and generates people with the right skills to succeed in a modern knowledge economy.

In a study analysing the education of children in OECD nations, Finnish children had the highest overall scores. A massive 65 per cent of school leavers in Finland go on to higher education. There are no tuition fees.

The Finns regard investment in new technology and innovation as a political priority. That's why Finland spends a higher proportion of its national income than any other nation on research and development, enabling new technologies to be brought on stream faster. This has helped to make Finland a world leader in technological innovation. Finland is also one of the world's most environmentally sustainable countries. It has minimised air and water pollution and maintains relatively low levels of greenhouse gas emissions.

Finland's economic success has allowed the country to invest more in high quality public services and a generous welfare system, which tackles poverty and inequality. Finland has the lowest level of child poverty in the world. 3 per cent of Finnish children grow up in poor households. In Scotland 25 per cent of children live below the breadline. Finland also has a lower level of pensioner poverty than Scotland.

Finland is one of Europe's modern success stories. What does it have that Scotland doesn't? Independence. Independence has given Finland the power to compete on its own terms and the ability to pursue its own interests in the world. Independence is the best thing that ever happened to Finland. It could be the best thing that ever happens to Scotland too.