Well Australia is 13th in GDP and Taiwan is 24th according to the IMF so it isn't a massive difference. 25 is Norway and 26 is Austria - I am sure you consider that a nice place to live.
PS: If instead of GDP you want GDP per-capita then Australia moves up to number 10, Austria moves up to number 11 but Taiwan also moves up to number 20, just above UK 21, Finalnd 22, France 23 and Japan 24.
I don't think it is GDP, I think it is a cultural thing.