Which are the Best Countries in Asia?

Asia as a whole covers a huge range of countries, from full democracies to hardened dictatorships, and from highly developed technological countries, to nations of ill-educated and semi-literate clanspeople. Of this mix, which countries are a shining example to the others?

There are 61 locations that fall within this category. By adding up all the known populations that fall within these locations, and summing their physical land areas, we can calculate population densities. Some islands and territories can end up being counted twice depending on how they are classified and divided up politically, but, mostly such errors involve only small populations. So, some data on this collection of countries in total:

• Population: 4.7b
• Land Area: 47 307 312km² (23% of Earth's land)
• Independent States: 48
• Other Territories: 13
• Compare to other regions of the world

1. Basic Stats and Demographics
2. Emigration and Immigration
3. Social and Moral Development
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Health
6. Modernity and Learning
7. National Culture
8. Peace Versus Instability
9. The Natural Environment
10. Economic Inequality and Poverty
11. Demographics
12. Religion and Beliefs
13. Links

1. Basic Stats and Demographics

#economics #human_development #population #wealth

Not showing due to lack of data: Abkhazia.

This page only shows places where the database has enough data to be able to come to reasonable conclusions about each place. The main focus is on nation states, but, some distinct external territories may be listed if the database has enough information about them. Averages are calculated from as many valid data points as possible, meaning, that some territories and locations that are not listed above may still be used to calculate some of the average values. Some calculations only use Independent State data - hover the cursor over values to see hints.

Links:

• Compare to other regions of the world
• What is the Best Country in the World? An Index of Morality, Conscience and Good Life
• The Population of the Earth
• Homosexuality in Animals and Humans

2. Emigration and Immigration

#asia #china #emigration #immigration #india #migration

Some of the smaller countries of Asia have very high immigration rates. The countries in Asia with the highest percent of immigrants in their populations are UAE (88.4%), Kuwait (75.5%) and Qatar (65.2%), although the average for Asia is 14%. Several other countries approach an immigration rate of 50%. The highest rates of emigration are seen in Palestine (68.4%), Armenia (28.2%) and Georgia (25.1%), with a continental average of 8% who have crossed a national border to live elsewhere. The two massive countries of China and India (both with over a billion inhabitants) see less than half a percent of their people come or go.

For full stats and comparisons, see: Which Country in Asia Has the Most Immigrants Or Emigrants?.

3. Social and Moral Development

#education #equality #health #human_development #human_rights #modernity #morals #politics #prejudice #technology #the_internet #tolerance

Here are each country's overall scores across the categories that make up the Social and Moral Development Index. This is followed by lists of how each country scores in each individual data set.

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

For more, see:

• "What is the Best Country in the World? An Index of Morality, Conscience and Good Life" by Vexen Crabtree (2020)

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#Asia #china #equality #hong_kong #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Asia is a huge and diverse continent, so much so, that's it's not necessarily sensible to attempt to compare countries across the continent as a whole. Nonetheless, it is still a major geographical bloc, and we should let those who do well shine and serve as examples. The best countries in Asia at protecting human rights, engendering tolerance and supporting equality, are Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan but the continent as a whole does poorly compared to the global average. The worst countries are Palestine, Brunei and Pakistan. Hong Kong shows us something about the statistics: They are often several years behind reality; HK now has been subject to increasing restrictions and is also less transparent to the outside world due to Chinese control.

For full commentary and data, see:

• Human Rights, Freedom, Tolerance and Equality in Asia: Statistical Comparisons

5. Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives₁₀. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau₁₀.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean₁₀, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa₁₀.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020)

Health:

Children's Health:

6. Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #politics #religion #research #science #the_internet

Modernity and Education:

Technology and Information:

7. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

The region of south-east Asia hosts some of the kindest people in the world. Myanmar and Thailand often top the World Giving Index₄₆, which the Charities Aid Foundation attributes to the teachings and values of Theravada Buddhism₄₆. Likewise, in Indonesia, giving is strongly encouraged by the Islamic doctrine of zakat, causing that country to give to charity at three times the global average rate.

8. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

9. The Natural Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #over-exploitation #the_environment

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

11. Demographics

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

Migration:

12. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #folk_religion #god #hinduism #human_development #islam #judaism #no_religion #religion

Links:

• Compare to other regions of the world
• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?
• Human Religions