Lets face facts here.
America just does it better, period.
Example, when I received my FAA ATPL in 1966, it did not cost anything for the written test, nor for the two FAA inspectors who administered the flight test...all five hours of it. Not to mention the four hour oral exam.
Although, the air carrier inspector asked me to please bring a DC-6 next time as he found the AeroCommander just a tad crowded...I did him one better later on, brought a B707. No complaints then, and no cost for the FAA inspector then, either.
And, lets us not forget, the FAA does quite a service for other governments as well.
Example.
Years ago, while flying in the far east, my First Officer asked why there was an FAA Sabreliner parked on the ramp.
Very simple.
They were checking the navaids.
The local government only paid for the crews HOTAC.
The navaid flight check service...FOC.
I kid you not.