The Human Truth Foundation

What is the Best Country in the World? An Index of Morality, Conscience and Good Life

https://www.vexen.co.uk/countries/best.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2020

#human_development #politics


1. The Criteria: Human Rights & Tolerance

Human Rights & Tolerance

Overall Results:
Best: Sweden, Norway, Denmark
Regions: Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe1
Worst: Solomon Islands, Somalia, Tuvalu
Regions: Melanesia, Micronesia and Australasia1
Constituent Data Sets: Human Rights & Tolerance
1. Human Rights Watch CommentsBest: France, Germany, UK
Worst: 10-country draw
2. Nominal Commitment to HRBest: Argentina, 12-country draw
Worst: Kiribati, Bhutan, 4-country draw
3. HR Treaties LagBest: Ecuador, Uruguay, Tunisia
Worst: Palestine, Marshall Islands, Palau
4. Personal, Civil & Economic FreedomBest: Hong Kong, Switzerland, New Zealand
Worst: Libya, Yemen, Iran
5. Press FreedomBest: Finland, Netherlands, Norway
Worst: Eritrea, N. Korea, Turkmenistan
6. SlaveryBest: Japan, Canada, Taiwan
Worst: N. Korea, Eritrea, Burundi
Constituent Data Sets: Gender Equality
7. Gender InequalityBest: Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands
Worst: Yemen, Niger, Chad
8. Gender BiasesBest: Sweden, New Zealand, Australia
Worst: Tajikistan, Qatar, Pakistan
9. Year Women Can VoteBest: New Zealand, Australia, Finland
Worst: Saudi Arabia, Vatican City, Kuwait
Constituent Data Sets: Prejudice
10. Anti-Semite OpinionsBest: Laos, Philippines, Sweden
Worst: Iraq, Yemen, 2-country draw
11. LGBT EqualityBest: Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden
Worst: Syria, Somalia, Saudi Arabia
12. Freedom of ThoughtBest: Taiwan, Belgium, Netherlands
Worst: 4-country draw
> > > Details and Commentary on these data sets

2. The Criteria: Health

Health

Overall Results:
Best: Monaco, Hong Kong, Maldives
Regions: Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean2
Worst: Marshall Islands, S. Sudan, Palau
Regions: Micronesia, Australasia and Africa2
Constituent Data Sets: Health
1. Life ExpectancyBest: Monaco, Hong Kong, Japan
Worst: Chad, Nigeria, Lesotho

2010s: Monaco, Hong Kong, Japan, Lesotho, Chad, Nigeria

2000s: Monaco, Andorra, Japan, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe

1990s: Andorra, Japan, San Marino, S. Sudan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone

2. Alcohol ConsumptionBest: 5-country draw
Worst: Moldova, Lithuania, Czechia
3. Fertility RateBest: Hong Kong, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Malta
Worst: Niger, Somalia, Zambia
4. Smoking RatesBest: Guinea, Solomon Islands, Kiribati
Worst: Montenegro, Belarus, Lebanon
5. Suicide RateBest: Grenada, Haiti, Egypt
Worst: Lithuania, Russia, S. Korea
6. Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO ComplianceBest: Sweden, Ireland, Denmark
Worst: Angola, St Vincent & Grenadines, Mauritania
7. Overweight AdultsBest: Vietnam, India, Bangladesh
Worst: Nauru, Palau, Cook Islands
Constituent Data Sets: Children's Health
8. Adolescent Birth RateBest: N. Korea, S. Korea, Switzerland
Worst: Niger, Mali, Angola
9. Infant Immunizations 2011-2015Best: China, Hungary, Uzbekistan
Worst: Equatorial Guinea, S. Sudan, Somalia
> > > Details and Commentary on these data sets

3. The Criteria: The Environment

The Environment

Overall Results:
Best: Japan, Philippines, Uruguay
Regions: Scandinavia, South America and Central America
Worst: Eritrea, Palestine, Gabon
Regions: Baltic States, Micronesia and The Balkans
Constituent Data Sets: The Environment
1. Forest Area Change 2000-2020Best: Guernsey, Bahrain, Iceland
Worst: Ivory Coast, Nicaragua, Gambia

2010s: Burundi, Bahrain, Malta, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Cambodia

2000s: Guernsey, Iceland, Bahrain, Nicaragua, Ivory Coast, Gambia

2. Environmental PerformanceBest: Switzerland, France, Denmark
Worst: Burundi, Bangladesh, Congo, DR
3. Energy to GDP EfficiencyBest: Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Panama
Worst: Serbia, Trinidad & Tobago, Zimbabwe
4. Convention on Biological DiversityBest: 30-country draw
Worst: Vatican City, USA, Andorra
5. Rational Beliefs on the EnvironmentBest: Argentina, Greece, Brazil
Worst: Turkmenistan, Albania, Haiti
6. Meat ConsumptionBest: Congo, DR, Burundi, Bangladesh
Worst: Hong Kong, USA, Nauru

2010s: Burundi, Congo, DR, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Australia, USA

7. Green Future IndexBest: Iceland, Finland, Norway
Worst: Iran, Algeria, Zambia
> > > Details and Commentary on these data sets

4. The Criteria: Modernity and Education

Modernity and Education

Overall Results:
Best: Finland, Taiwan, Switzerland
Regions: Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe
Worst: Eritrea, Sierra Leone, S. Sudan
Regions: Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia
Constituent Data Sets: Modernity and Education
1. Research and DevelopmentBest: S. Korea, Israel, Japan
Worst: Lesotho, 3-country draw
2. Secondary EducationBest: 6-country draw
Worst: Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso
3. Length of SchoolingBest: Australia, New Zealand, Greece
Worst: S. Sudan, Niger, Mali

2010s: Australia, Belgium, Iceland, S. Sudan, Niger, Djibouti

2000s: Australia, Belgium, Iceland, Niger, Djibouti, Burkina Faso

1990s: Australia, Canada, Belgium, Niger, Djibouti, Ethiopia

4. Intellectual EndeavoursBest: Ukraine, Czechia, Hungary
Worst: Angola, Iraq, Bolivia
5. Maths, Science & ReadingBest: Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan
Worst: Dominican Rep., Algeria, Kosovo
6. ReligiosityBest: China, Estonia, Czechia
Worst: Ethiopia, Senegal, 2-country draw
7. IQBest: Singapore, Hong Kong, S. Korea
Worst: 6-country draw
Constituent Data Sets: Technology and Information
8. Internet UsersBest: Iceland, Faroe Islands, Norway
Worst: Eritrea, Timor-Leste (E. Timor), Burundi
9. Freedom On The InternetBest: Estonia, USA, Germany
Worst: Iran, Cuba, China
10. IT SecurityBest: Belize, Ireland, Luxembourg
Worst: USA, Russia, India
11. IPv6 UptakeBest: Belgium, Germany, Switzerland
Worst: 59-country draw
> > > Details and Commentary on these data sets

5. The Criteria: National Culture

National Culture

Constituent Data Sets: National Culture
1. World Giving IndexBest: Indonesia, Kenya, USA
Worst: Cambodia, Japan, 2-country draw

2010s: Myanmar (Burma), USA, New Zealand, China, Greece, Yemen

2. CorruptionBest: Denmark, Finland, New Zealand
Worst: Somalia, S. Sudan, Syria

2010s: Denmark, New Zealand, Finland, Somalia, N. Korea, Afghanistan

2000s: Finland, Denmark, New Zealand, Somalia, Myanmar (Burma), Bangladesh

1990s: Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Honduras, Paraguay

3. HappinessBest: Finland, Norway, Denmark
Worst: Burundi, Central African Rep., S. Sudan
4. Creativity and CultureBest: Belgium, Netherlands, Estonia
Worst: Libya, Congo, DR, Rwanda
5. Open Trading, Aid and DevelopmentBest: Ireland, Denmark, Sweden
Worst: Equatorial Guinea, Brazil, Papua New Guinea
Constituent Data Sets: Peace Versus Instability
6. Global Peace IndexBest: Iceland, Denmark, Ireland
Worst: Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria

2010s: Iceland, Denmark, Austria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia

7. Peacekeeping and SecurityBest: Samoa, S. Africa, Tunisia
Worst: Guinea-Bissau, Marshall Islands, Tonga
8. Refugees and UN TreatiesBest: Austria, Germany, Netherlands
Worst: Brunei, Tonga, Fiji
9. Impact of TerrorismBest: 13-country draw
Worst: Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria
Constituent Data Sets: Economic Inequality and Poverty
10. Inequality in Life ExpectancyInformational only
11. Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)Best: Ukraine, Belarus, Slovenia
Worst: S. Africa, Namibia, Zambia
12. Multidimensional PovertyBest: Armenia, Ukraine, Serbia
Worst: Niger, S. Sudan, Chad

5.1. World Giving Index

#charity #finland #morals #norway #sweden

World Giving Index
Higher is better
3
Pos.2022
%3
2010s
Avg4
1Indonesia68.049.0
2Kenya61.046.6
3USA59.059.2
4Australia55.057.8
5New Zealand54.058.0
6Myanmar (Burma)52.060.0
7=Sierra Leone51.041.9
7=Canada51.056.1
9Zambia50.038.6
10=Ukraine49.024.4
10=Ireland49.056.8
12Czechia48.023.2
13=Nigeria48.041.9
13=Thailand48.043.2
15Guinea47.033.4
16=UK47.054.3
16=Brazil47.028.0
16=UAE47.045.1
16=Philippines47.039.2
16=Argentina47.028.1
q=125.
World Giving Index (2022)3
Pos.Lower is worse
%3
125Cambodia19.0
124Japan20.0
123=Afghanistan21.0
121=Belgium21.0
121S. Korea22.0
120Egypt23.0
119Lebanon24.0
118Portugal26.0
117Laos27.0
116Tunisia28.0
115=Pakistan29.0
113=Latvia29.0
111=Italy29.0
109=Armenia29.0
111Romania30.0
110=Algeria30.0
109Georgia31.0
108=Morocco31.0
106=Zimbabwe31.0
106Spain32.0
q=125.

The World Giving Index is produced annually by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). It produces statistical counts of individual charitable acts in three categories: the helping of strangers, donations to charity and volunteer work. The system is biased towards grassroots-charitability and because of this, it is not wise to draw moral conclusions from the data. Some countries have a top-down approach to social aid. For example, in highly socialist countries such as Finland, Norway and Sweden the government itself is paid by citizens (through very high taxes) to engage in a lot of social work. Therefore, there is a culture in which individuals feel they already contribute to charity through a centralized and well-funded charitable social safety net: but this kind of contribution isn't reflected in the WGI. Some of those countries do score highest in measurements of how much aid is given to developing countries. Conversely, some of the lowest-ranking countries are clearly suffering from extreme poverty, and may lack the infrastructure that lets people volunteer time or give to charity.

For more, see:

5.2. Corruption

#corruption #democracy #multinationals #organized_crime #politics

Corruption (2022)5
Pos.Higher is better
Points5
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
4Norway84.0
5=Singapore83.0
5=Sweden83.0
7Switzerland82.0
8Netherlands80.0
9Germany79.0
10=Ireland77.0
10=Luxembourg77.0
12Hong Kong76.0
13Australia75.0
14=Estonia74.0
14=Uruguay74.0
14=Iceland74.0
14=Canada74.0
18UK73.0
19=Japan73.0
19=Belgium73.0
q=180.
Corruption (2022)5
Pos.Lower is worse
Points5
180Somalia12.0
179=Syria13.0
177=S. Sudan13.0
177Venezuela14.0
176Yemen16.0
175=Burundi17.0
173=Haiti17.0
171=Libya17.0
169=N. Korea17.0
167=Equatorial Guinea17.0
170Chad19.0
169=Turkmenistan19.0
167=Comoros19.0
165=Nicaragua19.0
166Congo, DR20.0
165=Guinea-Bissau21.0
163=Congo, (Brazzaville)21.0
163Eritrea22.0
162=Sudan22.0
161Honduras23.0
q=180.

Corruption is the abuse of public office for private gain6. There are many forms of corruption. Politicians can sometimes (1) steal money (theft or embezzlement), (2) accept bribes (such as backhanders for awarding government contracts to companies), (3) give bribes (i.e., for electoral support or support in the mass media), (4) improperly coerce others (extortion), (5) give positions of power to friends and family without fairly seeking other applicants for those jobs (cronyism), or (6) grant favours to friends and family (nepotism) such as buying services from them at inflated prices (graft).

Corruption benefits organized crime7, multinational companies that exploit legal loopholes between countries8, and the rich and powerful9; this comes at the expense of national stability, peace and security7. The presence of corrupt politicians has been weaponized by those who seek to undermine democratic countries10. According to Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index11, the least corrupt countries in 2022 were Denmark, Finland and New Zealand5 and the worst were Somalia, S. Sudan and Syria5.

For more, see:

5.3. Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)12

#capitalism #economics #inequality #social_development

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) (2017)13
Pos.Lower is better
%13
1Ukraine25.0
2=Belarus25.4
2=Slovenia25.4
4Czechia25.9
5=Moldova25.9
6Slovakia26.5
7Finland27.1
8Kyrgyzstan27.3
9=Kazakhstan27.5
9=Norway27.5
11Algeria27.6
12Belgium27.7
13Iceland27.8
14=Denmark28.2
14=Netherlands28.2
16Serbia28.5
17Timor-Leste (E. Timor)28.7
18Albania29.0
19Sweden29.2
20Malta29.4
q=152.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) (2017)13
Pos.Higher is worse
%13
152S. Africa63.0
151Namibia59.1
150Zambia57.1
149Central African Rep.56.2
148Lesotho54.2
147Mozambique54.0
146=Brazil53.3
144=Botswana53.3
144Swaziland51.5
143St Lucia51.2
142Guinea-Bissau50.7
141Honduras50.5
140Panama49.9
139Colombia49.7
138Congo, (Brazzaville)48.9
137Paraguay48.8
136=Costa Rica48.3
134=Guatemala48.3
134Benin47.8
133Cape Verde47.2
q=152.

The Gini coefficient measures the imbalance amongst incomes in a country; lower scores are better. A score of 100 means there is absolute and universal inequality, and a score of 0 means that all incomes are distributed equally between people14. The results show differences in the averages between the continents, from best to worst: Europe (31.5), Asia (35.3), The Middle East (35.4), Australasia (38.3), Africa (42.6), North America (44.8) and South America (45.6)13.

For more, see:

5.4. Happiness

#denmark #finland #happiness #human_development #netherlands #norway

Happiness (2018)15
Pos.Higher is better
Score15
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
4Iceland7.5
5Switzerland7.5
6Netherlands7.4
7Canada7.3
8New Zealand7.3
9Sweden7.3
10Australia7.3
11Israel7.2
12Austria7.1
13Costa Rica7.1
14Ireland7.0
15Germany7.0
16Belgium6.9
17Luxembourg6.9
18USA6.9
19UK6.8
20UAE6.8
q=156.
Happiness (2018)15
Pos.Lower is worse
Score15
156Burundi2.9
155Central African Rep.3.1
154S. Sudan3.3
153Tanzania3.3
152Yemen3.4
151Rwanda3.4
150Syria3.5
149Liberia3.5
148Haiti3.6
147Malawi3.6
146Botswana3.6
145Afghanistan3.6
144Zimbabwe3.7
143Madagascar3.8
142Angola3.8
141Lesotho3.8
140Guinea4.0
139Togo4.0
138Ukraine4.1
137Sudan4.1
q=156.

Studying happiness is difficult and people tend to overstate their own happiness - in particular those who are aware of international studies of happiness and want to portray their country in a good light. It is also especially overstated by religious folk who are institutionalized into repeating the story of 'how happy my religion makes me'16.

Over many years, the happiest countries have been those of northern Europe - Finland, Norway, Denmark, plus the Netherlands. The unhappiest continent is Africa (by a wide margin).

It is of course true that the happiest people are not those who are necessarily leading the best lives. Excess, indulgence and short-term policy can all lead to a high rating on this chart; things like living morally and frugally, for example, do not automatically go hand in hand with happiness even though they are virtues. But by comparing national happiness to overall development via the Social And Moral index score; we see that overall national development is strongly correlated to average happiness. In other words, the key to making a population happy in the long term is the embracing of liberal democratic values, human rights, tolerance, good education, and a strong social net (which are the factors which cause high rankings on the Social & Moral index).

For more, see:

5.5. Creativity and Culture (GCI)

Creativity & Culture (2017)17
Pos.Lower is better
Rank17
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
4Switzerland4
5Sweden5
6Denmark6
7Austria7
8Ireland8
9Czechia9
10Luxembourg10
11UK11
12Portugal12
13Finland13
14France14
15Germany15
16Slovenia16
17Latvia17
18Barbados18
19Hungary19
20Slovakia20
q=163.
Creativity & Culture (2017)17
Pos.Higher is worse
Rank17
163Libya163
162Congo, DR162
161Rwanda161
160Burundi160
159Central African Rep.159
158Gabon158
157Iran157
156Iraq156
155Yemen155
154Venezuela154
153Liberia153
152Syria152
151Guinea-Bissau151
150Pakistan150
149Zambia149
148Angola148
147Equatorial Guinea147
146Nigeria146
145Laos145
144Cameroon144
q=163.

The Good Country Index gauges how well countries are doing in helping international development. Their criteria on Contributions to Culture include:

  1. Creative goods exports: Exports of creative goods (UNCTAD's Creative Economy Report categorisation) relative to the size of the economy.

  2. Creative services exports: Exports of creative services (according to ITC's "trade in services" categories 10 and 11) relative to the size of the economy.

  3. UNESCO dues in arrears as % of contribution: UNESCO dues in arrears as percentage of contribution (negative indicator).

  4. Freedom of movement, i.e. visa restrictions: Number of countries and territories that citizens can enter without a visa (according to Henley & Partners).

  5. Press freedom: Freedom of the press (based on mean score for Reporters without Borders and Freedom House index as a negative indicator).

5.6. Open Trading, Aid and Development (GCI)

Open Trading, Aid & Development (2017)17
Pos.Lower is better
Rank17
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
4Netherlands4
5Switzerland5
6Serbia6
7Belgium7
8Norway8
9Finland9
10Croatia10
11Georgia11
12Philippines12
13Austria13
14Germany14
15Albania15
16Togo16
17France17
18Singapore18
19Malaysia19
20Nicaragua20
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development (2017)17
Pos.Higher is worse
Rank17
163Equatorial Guinea163
162Brazil162
161Papua New Guinea161
160Algeria160
159Brunei159
158Mauritania158
157Bahrain157
156Venezuela156
155Grenada155
154Paraguay154
153Iraq153
152Gabon152
151Suriname151
150Cameroon150
149India149
148Iran148
147Syria147
146Jamaica146
145Samoa145
144St Vincent & Grenadines144
q=163.

The Good Country Index gauges how well countries are doing in helping international development. Their criteria on Contribution to Prosperity and Equality include:

  1. Open trading: Trading across borders (open trading performance compared to best practice; i.e. IFC distance to frontier).

  2. UN volunteers abroad: Number of aid workers and volunteers sent overseas (according to UNV) relative to the size of the economy.

  3. Fairtrade market size: Fairtrade market size (according to Fairtrade International) relative to the size of the economy.

  4. FDI outflows: FDI outflow (according to UNCTAD) relative to the size of the economy.

  5. Development assistance: Development cooperation contributions (aid according to Development Initiatives) relative to the size of the economy.

5.7. Global Peace Index

#2010s #denmark #human_development #peace #politics #switzerland

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
18
Pos.2023
Score18
2010s
Avg19
1Iceland1.121.14
2Denmark1.311.27
3Ireland1.311.39
4New Zealand1.311.30
5Austria1.321.29
6Singapore1.331.42
7Portugal1.331.36
8Slovenia1.331.34
9Japan1.341.38
10Switzerland1.341.39
11Canada1.351.35
12Czechia1.381.37
13Finland1.401.37
14Croatia1.451.58
15Germany1.461.52
16Netherlands1.491.48
17Bhutan1.501.67
18Hungary1.511.49
19Malaysia1.511.62
20Belgium1.521.46
q=163.
Global Peace Index
Lower is better
18
Pos.2023
Score18
2010s
Avg19
163Afghanistan3.453.28
162Yemen3.352.80
161Syria3.293.03
160S. Sudan3.222.96
159Congo, DR3.212.98
158Russia3.143.01
157Ukraine3.042.54
156Somalia3.043.16
155Sudan3.023.08
154Iraq3.013.24
153Mali2.962.49
152Central African Rep.2.933.02
151Ethiopia2.872.42
150Burkina Faso2.871.88
149N. Korea2.852.94
148=Iran2.802.48
146=Turkey2.802.56
146Pakistan2.753.07
145Myanmar (Burma)2.742.25
144Nigeria2.712.66
q=163.

The Global Peace Index is produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace, and is "the world's leading study on global levels of peacefulness"; it ranks nations using over 20 "qualitative and quantitative indicators from highly respected sources, which gauge three broad themes: the level of safety and security in society; the extent of domestic or international conflict; and the degree of militarisation. [The IEP] hopes to make a valuable contribution to better understanding how civil society, researchers, policymakers, and government can create a more peaceful society"18. The most peaceable countries in the world are Iceland, Denmark and Ireland18 and the worst are Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria18.

The Dalai Lama said that he hoped the index would encourage countries to strive for peace. "Compiling and maintaining an index of which countries are the most peaceful and publishing the results will undoubtedly make the factors and qualities that contribute to that status better known and will encourage people to foster them in their own countries," he said.

The Guardian (2007)20

Despite the positive appeal of the Global Peace Index, it is imperfect and as with all international statistics, some countries appear to have a natural advantage. In this case, it is small countries which exist inside regional blocs: Denmark or Switzerland without stepping on the toes of many other countries which have sturdy militaries, so there is less incentive for those countries to invest in defence. Although note that of course defence spending is only one of the many factors considered by the GPI, it is easy to imagine that a country such as Israel (151st), surrounded by aggressive neighbours, could never score well on this index.

5.8. Peacekeeping and Security (GCI)

Peacekeeping & Security (2017)17
Pos.Lower is better
Rank17
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
4Egypt4
5Nigeria5
6Uruguay6
7Indonesia7
8Brunei8
9Moldova9
10Morocco10
11Oman11
12Tanzania12
13Cameroon13
14Singapore14
15Colombia15
16Costa Rica16
17Hungary17
18Japan18
19Chile19
20Kazakhstan20
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security (2017)17
Pos.Higher is worse
Rank17
163Guinea-Bissau163
162Marshall Islands162
161Tonga161
160Slovenia160
159Bahrain159
158Iraq158
157Yemen157
156Swaziland156
155Mali155
154Liberia154
153Lebanon153
152Afghanistan152
151Sierra Leone151
150Seychelles150
149Bosnia & Herzegovina149
148Central African Rep.148
147UAE147
146Croatia146
145Libya145
144Haiti144
q=163.

The Good Country Index gauges how well countries are doing in helping international development. Their criteria on Contributions to International Peace and Security include:

  1. Peacekeeping troops: Number of peacekeeping troops sent overseas for UN missions, relative to the size of the economy.

  2. Dues in arrears to UN peace keeping budgets as % of contribution: Dues in arrears to financial contribution to UN peacekeeping missions as percentage of contribution (negative indicator).

  3. International violent conflict: Attributed number of casualties of international organised violence (number of casualties per conflict divided by the number of countries involved according to UCDP/PRIO) relative to the size of the economy (negative indicator).

  4. Arms exports: Exports of weapons and ammunition (according to ITC) relative to the size of the economy (negative indicator).

  5. Internet security: Global Cybersecurity Index score (according to ITU).

5.9. Refugees and UN Treaties (GCI)

Refugees & UN Treaties (2017)17
Pos.Lower is better
Rank17
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
4Sweden4
5Malta5
6Australia6
7Norway7
8Finland8
9Denmark9
10Switzerland10
11Canada11
12UK12
13Belgium13
14Italy14
15Spain15
16France16
17Cyprus17
18Slovenia18
19New Zealand19
20Luxembourg20
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties (2017)17
Pos.Higher is worse
Rank17
163Brunei163
162Tonga162
161Fiji161
160Equatorial Guinea160
159Laos159
158Vietnam158
157St Lucia157
156Ivory Coast156
155Congo, DR155
154Guyana154
153Angola153
152Grenada152
151Zimbabwe151
150Burundi150
149Marshall Islands149
148Bahamas148
147El Salvador147
146Central African Rep.146
145Chad145
144Rwanda144
q=163.

The Good Country Index gauges how well countries are doing in helping international development. Their criteria on Contributions to World Order include:

  1. Charity giving: Percentage of population that gives to charity (according to Charities Aid Foundation) as proxy for cosmopolitan attitude.

  2. Refugees hosted: Number of refugees hosted (according to UNHCR) relative to the size of the economy.

  3. Refugees generated: Number of refugees overseas (according to UNHCR) relative to the size of the population (negative indicator).

  4. Birth rate: Population birth rate (according to World Bank as negative indicator).

  5. UN Treaties signed: Number of UN treaties signed (up to 2014) as proxy for diplomatic action and peaceful conflict resolution.

5.10. The Impact of Terrorism

#extremism #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Impact of Terrorism (2019)21
Pos.Lower is better
Score21
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
4Equatorial Guinea0.00
5Cambodia0.00
6Portugal0.00
7Croatia0.00
8Benin0.00
9Mauritania0.00
10Slovenia0.00
11Costa Rica0.00
12Romania0.00
13El Salvador0.00
14Bhutan0.01
15=Trinidad & Tobago0.02
15=Uzbekistan0.02
17Qatar0.03
18=Iceland0.03
19Panama0.04
20=Guyana0.04
q=150.
Impact of Terrorism (2019)21
Pos.Higher is worse
Score21
150Afghanistan9.60
149Iraq9.24
148Nigeria8.60
147Syria8.01
146Pakistan7.89
145Somalia7.80
144India7.52
143Yemen7.26
142Philippines7.14
141Congo, DR7.04
140Egypt6.79
139Libya6.77
138Mali6.65
137Central African Rep.6.62
136Cameroon6.62
135Turkey6.53
134S. Sudan6.32
133Thailand6.03
132Colombia5.91
131Sudan5.81
q=150.

The scores are the combination of a five year weighted average, taking into account not only the total number of deaths due to terrorism, but also its impact. The scores are produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace, based on the global terrorism database22.

5.11. Forest Area Change 1990-2015

#biodiversity #deforestation #environmentalism #forests #over-exploitation #the_environment

Forest Area Change 2000-202023
Pos.Higher is better23
1Guernsey82.6%
2Bahrain75.2%
3Iceland64.7%
4Burundi44.2%
5Uruguay43.8%
6Montenegro32.1%
7Malta31.4%
8Cuba31.0%
9Kuwait28.9%
10Uzbekistan23.3%
11Algeria23.1%
12China23.0%
13Vietnam23.0%
14Ireland22.8%
15Syria20.0%
16Guam16.7%
17Puerto Rico15.5%
18Iran15.2%
19Bulgaria14.9%
20Chile14.6%
q=234.
Forest Area Change 2000-202023
Pos.Lower is worse23
234Ivory Coast-50.6%
233Nicaragua-41.1%
232Gambia-35.2%
231Chad-35.0%
230Paraguay-32.6%
229Malawi-29.4%
228St Pierre & Miquelon-29.1%
227Uganda-28.0%
226Mauritania-27.7%
225Benin-25.8%
224Cambodia-25.6%
223Northern Mariana Islands-24.8%
222Comoros-22.3%
221Somalia-21.6%
220Egypt-20.6%
219Niger-19.7%
218Myanmar (Burma)-19.0%
217Namibia-18.5%
216Pakistan-18.2%
215Guatemala-16.8%
q=234.

Forests are carbon sinks, mitigating against climate change24,25. Unfortunately, we are destroying over 70,000 km2 of forest each year26. In the last few thousand years, we've removed 30-40% of the Earth's forest cover27,25, mostly to clear space for agriculture, and for logging28,29. The produce from both is shipped from poorer countries to richer ones. Half-hearted government efforts and company obfuscation of supply chains makes it almost impossible for consumers to tell which foods and products are from sustainable sources, and which ones are encouraging irresponsible deforestation, meaning that there is little incentive for companies to relent.

The effects are catastrophic. 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions are the result of deforestation30,28. It brings soil erosion from wind and rain which, over time, can almost-permanently stop any hope of growing food31, and spreads desertification. Entire ecosystems are collapsing as a result, including ones that we depend upon32. The water cycle is driven by forests, and their loss reduces ordinary rainfall, increases flooding, removes an abundant source of water filtration, and contributes to a rise in water levels.33.

Some regions of the world are increasing their forest cover25; the best from 2000-2020 are Scandinavia (13.8% ), The Balkans (11.0% ) and Baltic States (7.6% )23. There is an overall trend that developed countries gathered their riches by using up their natural resources, and now, they pay poorer countries to use up theirs instead, whilst they can afford to slowly rebuild their natural environments. But it's not wholly that simple - some rich regions are still burning through what they've got. The regions clearing their forests fastest are Central America (-12.8% ), Africa (-9.1% ) and North America (-2.9% )23.

For more, see:

5.12. Environmental Performance

#bhutan #climate_change #equatorial_guinea #haiti #iceland #switzerland #the_environment #turkmenistan #united_arab_emirates

Environmental Performance (2018)34
Pos.Higher is better34
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
4Malta80.9
5Sweden80.5
6UK79.9
7Luxembourg79.1
8Austria79.0
9Ireland78.8
10Finland78.6
11Iceland78.6
12Spain78.4
13Germany78.4
14Norway77.5
15Belgium77.4
16Italy77.0
17New Zealand76.0
18Netherlands75.5
19Israel75.0
20Japan74.7
q=180.
Environmental Performance (2018)34
Pos.Lower is worse34
180Burundi27.4
179Bangladesh29.6
178Congo, DR30.4
177India30.6
176Nepal31.4
175Madagascar33.7
174Haiti33.7
173Lesotho33.8
172Niger35.7
171Central African Rep.36.4
170Angola37.4
169Pakistan37.5
168Afghanistan37.7
167Benin38.2
166Mauritania39.2
165Eritrea39.3
164Papua New Guinea39.4
163Djibouti40.0
162Swaziland40.3
161Cameroon40.8
q=180.

The Environmental Performance Index includes 24 indicators including air pollution, water and sanitation, biodiversity, ecosystems and environmental health.

The worst countries on this scale generally use massive quantities of natural resources in an unsustainable manner and have populations that are rising quickly. Turkmenistan and United Arab Emirates have only a tiny percentage of their primary energy supply sourced from renewables (both under 0.03%). Equatorial Guinea saw its CO2 emissions per person rise by 11% between 1970-2008, the second highest in the world after Bhutan. Incredibly for an island, under 13% of those in Haiti believe that human activity is causing global warming, whilst only 29% believe it in United Arab Emirates and Turkmenistan.

The best countries are not better in all criteria but normally excel in a few categories. Iceland produces 82% of its primary energy supply through renewable sources. Its CO2 emissions per person rose only by 0.1 percent. It more than doubled its forested area between 1990 and 2008. Switzerland reduced its CO2 emissions per person by 0.5% and also increased its forested areas.

5.13. Energy Use to GDP Efficiency

#the_environment

Energy to GDP Efficiency (2014)35
Pos.Higher is better35
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
4=Colombia17.54
4=Ireland17.54
4=Switzerland17.54
7Dominican Rep.16.95
8Mauritius15.63
9=Malta15.15
9=Singapore15.15
11Denmark14.93
12Peru14.49
13Uruguay14.08
14UK13.89
15=Costa Rica13.51
15=Philippines13.51
17Luxembourg13.33
18=Bangladesh13.16
18=Italy13.16
20Cyprus12.99
q=119.
Energy to GDP Efficiency (2014)35
Pos.Lower is worse35
119Serbia00.72
118Trinidad & Tobago02.07
117Zimbabwe02.31
116Iceland02.41
115Mozambique02.47
114Ethiopia02.81
113Togo02.88
112Ukraine03.28
111Bahrain04.10
110S. Africa04.48
109=Russia04.52
107=Bosnia & Herzegovina04.52
107Benin04.69
106Kyrgyzstan04.78
105Tanzania04.81
104Ivory Coast04.85
103Moldova05.03
102Kazakhstan05.10
101Kenya05.24
100Iran05.32
q=119.

This data is only included for informational purposes, and is not used to calculate points. It could show how efficiently each country uses its energy. High values could mean that a country wastes little energy, and low values could mean that they use a lot of energy for little gain. However, some countries could be engaged heavily in endeavours that are worthwhile, but, which do not generate GDP. Some industries and services might outsource production, or be innately high-yield no matter what the nation's energy usage is. Likewise, GDP on its own does not matter - it is what people do with their wealth and resources that matters. GDP-generation isn't inherently worthwhile unless it goes into quality of living, education, scientific research, etc - all things that are already being measured on the Social & Moral Development Index. Hence, the energy-to-GDP is not being used in the formula.

5.14. Convention on Biological Diversity

#biodiversity #the_environment #USA

Convention on Biological Diversity
Pos.Earlier is better
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
1=Vanuatu1993 Dec 29
1=Papua New Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Mexico1993 Dec 29
1=Armenia1993 Dec 29
1=Ecuador1993 Dec 29
1=Fiji1993 Dec 29
1=Canada1993 Dec 29
1=Monaco1993 Dec 29
1=Maldives1993 Dec 29
1=Marshall Islands1993 Dec 29
1=Seychelles1993 Dec 29
1=Mauritius1993 Dec 29
1=Antigua & Barbuda1993 Dec 29
1=Mongolia1993 Dec 29
1=St Kitts & Nevis1993 Dec 29
1=New Zealand1993 Dec 29
1=Japan1993 Dec 29
q=197.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Pos.Later is worse
Signed
197USA
196Vatican City
195Andorra2015 May 05
194Palestine2015 Apr 02
193Somalia2009 Dec 10
192Iraq2009 Oct 26
191Brunei2008 Jul 27
190Timor-Leste (E. Timor)2007 Jan 08
189Montenegro2006 Jun 03
188Thailand2004 Jan 29
187Tuvalu2003 Mar 20
186Afghanistan2002 Dec 18
185Bosnia & Herzegovina2002 Nov 24
184Kuwait2002 Oct 31
183Serbia2002 May 30
182Saudi Arabia2002 Jan 01
181Libya2001 Oct 10
180Malta2001 Mar 29
179Liberia2001 Feb 06
178Azerbaijan2000 Nov 01
q=197.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was originally sparked from United Nations activity in the 1980s as a result of rising scientific alarm over the impact of human activity on natural habitats, including a rising awareness of extinctions and shifts in ecosystems that occasionally cause widespread disruption that is difficult (or impossible) to reverse.

After a long period of international consultation involving hundreds of scientists and environmental ministers, the Convention was finalized and launched at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, and received 168 signatures over the subsequent year.

Part of the first wave of signees were a large number of small island nations, who are uniquely susceptible to over-exploitation by rich companies and countries, but simultaneously, are (as a group) the least responsible for driving global extinctions.

Data on when each country ratified the CBD forms part of the formula of the Social and Moral Development Index, with countries losing points for reticence (taking into account the foundation dates of newly independent countries). The USA stands alone in not ratifying it, but is the world's greatest driver for activities that cause biodiversity loss.

5.15. Meat Consumption

#animal_rights #animal_welfare #diet #food #health #meat #veganism #vegetarianism

Meat Consumption (2021)36
Pos.Lower is better
kg36
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
4Madagascar05.4
5India05.7
6Nigeria07.0
7Ethiopia07.1
8Rwanda07.6
9Mali07.8
10Niger08.1
11Afghanistan08.7
12Uganda09.4
13Togo09.4
14Kenya10.3
15Mozambique10.4
16Sierra Leone11.7
17Sri Lanka12.0
18Tanzania12.1
19Ivory Coast12.6
20Cambodia12.6
q=185.
Meat Consumption (2021)36
Pos.Higher is worse
kg36
185Hong Kong146.9
184USA126.8
183Nauru125.9
182Mongolia115.6
181Argentina115.5
180Bahamas111.9
179Australia110.2
178St Vincent & Grenadines109.5
177Israel107.7
176Samoa106.2
175Spain100.3
174Brazil98.8
173Chile97.8
172St Kitts & Nevis96.6
171Portugal94.6
170French Polynesia92.5
169Croatia90.8
168Taiwan89.8
167St Lucia89.6
166Poland89.3
q=185.

Vegetarian diets have health advantages over carnivorous diets. Plant-based diets use much less water than carnivorous ones, to the extent that agricultural and water management scientists are urging governments to encourage people to switch37. Some vegetarians are morally opposed to the maltreatment of animals: some avoid meat products as an offensive against the meat industry. But there are problems with vegetarians, too. Some merely want to look good socially; some have accepted pro-vegetarian ideas that are plain wrong and misguided, and, some faddish vegetarian diets are harmful and dangerous. The countries that ate the least meat throughout the 2010s were Burundi, Congo, DR and Bangladesh36.

6. Table of Country Scores

#human_development

--- The Best ---38
Pos.
Avg Rank38
1Norway29.8
2Denmark30.0
3Finland33.7
4Sweden33.9
5Netherlands34.3
6Iceland34.5
7New Zealand36.1
8Switzerland37.3
9Germany38.1
10UK38.9
11Austria39.0
12Australia39.0
13Canada39.2
14Ireland39.8
15Belgium42.1
16Japan42.2
17France42.8
18Luxembourg44.3
19Taiwan44.5
20Spain45.4
21Italy46.9
22S. Korea49.7
23Slovenia49.7
24Estonia50.0
25Czechia50.1
26Singapore51.9
27Uruguay52.4
28Portugal53.0
29Monaco53.0
30Hungary54.1
31Costa Rica54.8
32Malta55.4
33Poland55.9
34Chile56.4
35USA57.5
36Slovakia58.7
37Liechtenstein59.6
38Greece59.8
39Cyprus61.0
40Latvia63.9
41Bulgaria64.7
42Romania65.1
43Lithuania65.3
44Croatia65.4
45Kosovo65.6
46Mauritius67.5
47Argentina69.7
48Israel69.9
49Barbados70.5
50Serbia70.6
51Albania72.0
52Tunisia73.8
53Brazil73.9
54Malaysia75.4
55Sri Lanka75.8
56Turkey75.9
57Peru76.0
58UAE76.3
59Cuba76.5
60Bosnia & Herzegovina76.6
61Thailand77.1
62Mexico77.5
63Qatar77.6
64Montenegro78.2
65Ukraine78.3
66Ecuador78.3
q=196.
--- The Average ---38
Pos.
Avg Rank38
67Georgia78.5
68Macedonia78.6
69Moldova78.7
70China78.8
71Jamaica78.9
72Seychelles79.7
73Maldives79.9
74Jordan80.3
75Vietnam80.4
76Kuwait80.7
77Trinidad & Tobago80.7
78Belarus80.8
79Andorra81.3
80Panama81.4
81Mongolia81.7
82Armenia82.1
83Bahrain82.8
84Colombia83.0
85Grenada83.1
86S. Africa83.1
87San Marino83.5
88Kyrgyzstan84.1
89Philippines84.2
90Fiji84.2
91Morocco84.3
92Bhutan84.5
93Dominican Rep.86.6
94Russia86.7
95Bolivia86.9
96Kazakhstan87.2
97Uzbekistan87.7
98Cape Verde87.8
99India88.2
100Oman89.6
101Lebanon90.0
102St Vincent & Grenadines90.2
103Bahamas90.5
104El Salvador90.6
105St Kitts & Nevis90.7
106Dominica90.7
107Saudi Arabia91.0
108Azerbaijan91.6
109Indonesia92.0
110Brunei92.5
111Algeria92.5
112St Lucia93.3
113Nepal93.4
114Ghana93.7
115Paraguay93.7
116Guatemala94.2
117Antigua & Barbuda94.6
118Tajikistan95.7
119Belize95.7
120Nicaragua95.9
121Iran96.8
122Egypt96.9
123Kenya98.6
124Botswana99.2
125Senegal99.3
126Venezuela99.5
127Suriname100.3
128Vanuatu101.5
129Tonga101.7
130Honduras101.9
131Bangladesh102.4
132Namibia103.1
q=196.
--- The Challenged ---38
Pos.
Avg Rank38
133Libya103.1
134Guyana103.2
135Zambia103.3
136Timor-Leste (E. Timor)104.7
137Turkmenistan105.1
138Palau105.4
139Uganda105.9
140Rwanda105.9
141Burkina Faso106.1
142Lesotho107.7
143Kiribati109.3
144Sao Tome & Principe109.9
145Togo110.4
146Tanzania110.7
147Samoa111.3
148Cambodia112.0
149Malawi112.1
150Mali112.3
151Gabon112.4
152Madagascar113.4
153Ethiopia113.9
154Micronesia114.0
155Laos114.3
156Benin114.3
157Sierra Leone114.4
158Cameroon114.7
159Syria115.3
160Djibouti115.5
161Swaziland115.6
162Nigeria115.8
163N. Korea116.1
164Mozambique117.6
165Marshall Islands117.7
166Solomon Islands117.7
167Pakistan118.0
168Haiti118.0
169Ivory Coast118.5
170Myanmar (Burma)118.6
171Guinea118.8
172Liberia118.9
173Burundi120.8
174Gambia121.1
175Zimbabwe121.4
176Iraq121.9
177Niger122.3
178Congo, (Brazzaville)122.4
179Yemen124.1
180Nauru124.3
181Guinea-Bissau125.6
182Mauritania126.0
183Papua New Guinea126.5
184Comoros128.6
185Sudan129.6
186Afghanistan130.3
187Angola131.0
188Congo, DR131.2
189Tuvalu133.1
190Central African Rep.133.3
191Vatican City136.2
192S. Sudan136.6
193Equatorial Guinea137.1
194Eritrea137.4
195Chad137.8
196Somalia157.1
q=196.

7. Compare with the UN's Human Development Index

#canada #human_development #iceland #norway

UN HDI (2021)39
Pos.Higher is better
Value39
21USA0.921
22Israel0.919
23=Malta0.918
23=Slovenia0.918
25Austria0.916
26UAE0.911
27Spain0.905
28France0.903
29Cyprus0.896
30Italy0.895
31Estonia0.890
32Czechia0.889
33Greece0.887
34Poland0.876
35=Bahrain0.875
35=Lithuania0.875
35=Saudi Arabia0.875
38Portugal0.866
39Latvia0.863
40=Croatia0.858
q=191.
UN HDI (2021)39
Pos.Higher is better
Value39
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
4Hong Kong0.952
5Australia0.951
6Denmark0.948
7Sweden0.947
8Ireland0.945
9Germany0.942
10Netherlands0.941
11Finland0.940
12Singapore0.939
13=Belgium0.937
13=New Zealand0.937
15Canada0.936
16Liechtenstein0.935
17Luxembourg0.930
18UK0.929
19=Japan0.925
19=S. Korea0.925
q=191.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others.

Norway has been the top of this list since ousting Canada in 2001 (except in 2007 and 2008 when Iceland made it to the top).

This data series is only here for informational reasons, meaning, it does not form part of the Social and Moral Development Index formula. This is because the UN HDI takes into account many factors (such as wealth) that are not social or moral in nature.

Links:

8. Previous Edition (2005-2007) Winners: Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland and Germany

#belgium #canada #denmark #finland #germany #netherlands #norway #sweden #switzerland #UK

The Best Countries
2005-2007
#1 Sweden1683 points
#2 Denmark1598 points
#3 Netherlands1572 points
#4 Finland1514 points
#5 Germany1422 points
#6 UK1407 points
#7 Canada1373 points
#8 Switzerland1326 points
#9 Norway1320 points
#10 Belgium1208 points

For old stats, view the archived page: "Which Countries Set the Best Examples? (Archived page from 2005-2007)" by Vexen Crabtree (2007).