The Human Truth Foundation

Bulgaria (Republic of Bulgaria)

http://www.humantruth.info/bulgaria.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#bulgaria

Bulgaria
Republic of Bulgaria
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index44th best
CapitalSofia
Land Area 108 560km21
LocationEurope, The Balkans
Population7.1m2
Life Expectancy71.80yrs (2017)3
GNI$23 079 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesBG, BGR, 1005
Internet Domain.bg6
CurrencyLev (BGN)7
Telephone+3598

1. Overview

The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverFrom wild, wooded mountain ranges speckled with remote villages and enchanting monasteries to vibrant modern cities and long sandy beaches hugging the Black Sea coast, Bulgaria rewards exploration. Bulgaria may attract the majority of its visitors with its long, sandy Black Sea beaches, but there´s much more to see than that. Bulgaria boasts no fewer than seven mountain ranges and varied landscapes ideal for hiking, cycling, climbing and wildlife-watching. And you´ll find some of Europe´s most modern and reasonably priced ski resorts.

The depth of Bulgaria´s history and culture are immediately evident. There are countless churches and a full measure of Orthodox monasteries full of vibrant icons, picturesque villages of timber-framed houses 19th-century revival-era architecture and cobbled lanes, and dramatic reminders of the country´s heritage, from Thracian tombs and Roman ruins to medieval fortresses, Ottoman mosques and communist monuments slowly crumbling away into history.

Bulgaria´s cities reward visitors, with treasure-filled museums and galleries, and parks sprinkled with cafes and restaurants where the coffee is strong, the cuisine hearty and the conversation always animated.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Bulgaria National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
4Hong Kong0.952
5Australia0.951
...
66Thailand0.800
67Albania0.796
68Grenada0.795
69Bulgaria0.795
70Barbados0.790
71Antigua & Barbuda0.788
Europe Avg0.87
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
4Luxembourg$84 649
5Ireland$76 169
...
57Kazakhstan$23 943
58Trinidad & Tobago$23 392
59St Kitts & Nevis$23 358
60Bulgaria$23 079
61Guyana$22 465
62Mauritius$22 025
Europe Avg$40 512
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12,13
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12,13
1Taiwan28.6
2Norway29.4
3Denmark31.2
4Sweden32.2
5Finland32.6
...
41Monaco63.0
42Kosovo63.4
43Lithuania63.9
44Bulgaria64.6
45Mauritius66.9
46Argentina67.8
Europe Avg57.3
World Avg86.1
q=195.

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..

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.

3. Bulgaria's Demographics and Migration

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

Population:

Bulgaria's population is predicted to fall to 6 455 000 by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 1.54. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population (2018)2
Pos.
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
4Indonesia267.7m
5Pakistan212.2m
...
102Sierra Leone7.7m
103Hong Kong7.4m
104Laos7.1m
105Bulgaria7.1m
106Paraguay7.0m
107Lebanon6.9m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
4Australia84.5
5Switzerland84.0
...
94Armenia72.0
95Libya71.9
96Bhutan71.8
97Bulgaria71.8
98Georgia71.7
99St Kitts & Nevis71.7
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate (2013)14
Pos.2.0 is best14
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
4France1.99
5Turkey2.04
...
66Serbia1.56
67Libya2.44
68Cambodia2.45
69Bulgaria1.54
70Bahrain2.46
71Thailand1.54
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio (2016)15
Pos.Lower is better
Per 10015
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3Chad04.7
4Burkina Faso04.7
5Sierra Leone04.8
...
161Singapore36.5
162Latvia36.7
163Sweden37.0
164Bulgaria37.0
165Denmark37.1
166Bosnia & Herzegovina37.3
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants (2017)16
Pos.
%16
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
4Liechtenstein65.1%
5Monaco54.9%
...
121Benin2.3%
122S. Korea2.3%
123Cameroon2.2%
124Bulgaria2.2%
125Kenya2.2%
126Angola2.1%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants (2010)17
Pos.
%17
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
4Grenada65.5%
5St Kitts & Nevis61.1%
...
38Ireland16.1%
39Belize16.1%
40Azerbaijan16.0%
41Bulgaria16.0%
42Lebanon15.6%
43Equatorial Guinea14.9%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#Bulgaria #equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)18,19
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank18,19
1Sweden9.2
2Norway14.7
3Denmark14.7
4Netherlands15.8
5New Zealand17.5
...
32Romania44.3
33S. Korea45.7
34Malta46.3
35Bulgaria46.5
36Cyprus46.7
37USA47.4
Europe Avg50.3
World Avg87.7
q=199.

Bulgaria performs very well in ensuring human rights and freedom compared to most other countries. Bulgaria comes in the best 20 for speed of uptake of HR treaties20 (the lowest in Europe) and in commentary in Human Rights Watch reports21. It does better than average in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)22, its nominal commitment to Human Rights23, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms24 (but bad for Europe), freethought25, opposing gender inequality26 (but bad for Europe), LGBT equality27 (but low for Europe) and in supporting press freedom28 (but bad for Europe). But, things could still be better. Bulgaria does worse than average when it comes to its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice29.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Bulgaria's Health

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

Compared to Europe (2020)30,31
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank30,31
1Monaco13.0
2Norway61.0
3Finland65.3
4Switzerland65.6
5Italy67.5
...
40Azerbaijan100.0
41Moldova101.5
42Montenegro102.8
43Romania104.1
44Bulgaria105.5
45Belarus107.1
46Ukraine107.3
Europe Avg82.5
q=46.
Health (2020)30,31
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank30,31
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
4Singapore42.6
5Japan51.0
...
137Tonga104.1
138Guinea104.5
139Malawi104.5
140Bulgaria105.5
141Timor-Leste (E. Timor)105.6
142Lesotho106.3
143Botswana106.5
World Avg93.5
q=196.

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 Maldives30. 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 Palau30.

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 Mediterranean30, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa30.

For more, see:

Health:

Bulgaria has some poor policies and cultural issues which cause some public health problems. Bulgaria does better than average when it comes to its fertility rate14 (but bad for Europe), its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance32 (but bad for Europe), its immunizations take-up33 (but low for Europe), its adolescent birth rate26 (but one of the highest in Europe) and in its average life expectancy11 (but low for Europe). But, things could still be better. Bulgaria does worse than average for its suicide rate34 and in its smoking rate35. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 when it comes to its alcohol consumption rate36. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016.

Life Expectancy (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
4Australia84.5
5Switzerland84.0
...
94Armenia72.0
95Libya71.9
96Bhutan71.8
97Bulgaria71.8
98Georgia71.7
99St Kitts & Nevis71.7
Europe Avg78.36
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption (2016)36
Pos.Lower is better
Per Capita36
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
4Mauritania0.0
5Somalia0.0
...
178Slovenia12.6
179France12.6
180Romania12.7
181Bulgaria12.7
182Latvia12.9
183Luxembourg13.0
Europe Avg10.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate (2013)14
Pos.2.0 is best14
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
4France1.99
5Turkey2.04
...
66Serbia1.56
67Libya2.44
68Cambodia2.45
69Bulgaria1.54
70Bahrain2.46
71Thailand1.54
Europe Avg1.61
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates (2014)35
Pos.Higher is worse35
182Montenegro4 125
181Belarus3 831
180Lebanon3 023
179Macedonia2 732
178Russia2 690
...
154Turkey1 581
153Armenia1 545
152Kuwait1 517
151Bulgaria1 505
150Germany1 480
149Italy1 443
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate (2013)34
Pos.
Per 100k34
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
4Jordan0.2
5Maldives0.7
...
61Germany23.9
62Cuba24.5
63Romania24.5
64Bulgaria25
65Sweden25.5
66Slovakia25.7
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance (2017)32
Pos.Lower is better
Rank32
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
4UK4
5Norway5
...
50Ecuador50
51Israel51
52Slovakia52
53Bulgaria53
54Panama54
55Ukraine55
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults (2016)37
Pos.Lower is better
%37
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
4Ethiopia20.9
5Nepal21.0
...
148Costa Rica61.6
149Tunisia61.6
150Iran61.6
151Bulgaria61.7
152Algeria62.0
153Greece62.3
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate (2015)26
Pos.Lower is better
Per 100026
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
4Hong Kong3.2
5Slovenia3.8
...
86Morocco31.7
87Botswana32.3
88Romania34.6
89Bulgaria37.7
90Tajikistan38.1
91Vietnam38.6
Europe Avg14.6
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 (2015)33
Pos.Higher is better
Avg %33
1Hungary99.0
2China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
4Niue98.8
5Mongolia98.7
...
86Italy93.8
87Austria93.8
88Argentina93.7
89Bulgaria93.7
90Serbia93.5
91Egypt93.4
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Bulgaria's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)19
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank19
1Finland8.4
2Switzerland15.1
3Estonia15.8
4Denmark16.0
5Belgium16.1
...
27Greece40.9
28Croatia44.3
29Ukraine47.1
30Bulgaria47.3
31Liechtenstein47.7
32Romania49.1
33Turkey50.1
Europe Avg41.2
q=49.
Modernity and Learning (2020)19
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank19
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
4Estonia15.8
5Denmark16.0
...
39Argentina43.8
40Croatia44.3
41Ukraine47.1
42Bulgaria47.3
43Liechtenstein47.7
44Romania49.1
45Turkey50.1
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research and Development (2016)
Pos.Higher is better
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2938
2Israel4.1138
3Japan3.5838
4Finland3.1738
5Sweden3.1638
...
49Egypt0.6839
50Belarus0.6739
51Mali0.6640
52Bulgaria0.6539
53Ethiopia0.6139
54Latvia0.6039
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education (2018)41
Pos.Higher is better41
1Luxembourg100.0%
2Estonia100.0%
3Austria100.0%
4Canada100.0%
5Finland100.0%
...
25USA95.6%
26Norway95.4%
27S. Korea95.2%
28Bulgaria95.1%
29Lithuania94.9%
30Ukraine94.6%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling (2021)42
Pos.Higher is better
Years42
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
4Belgium19.6
5Sweden19.4
...
85Sri Lanka14.1
86Brunei14.0
87Seychelles13.9
88Bulgaria13.9
89Bosnia & Herzegovina13.8
90Egypt13.8
Europe Avg16.1
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours (2017)32
Pos.Lower is better
Rank32
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
4Denmark4
5UK5
...
11Switzerland11
12New Zealand12
13Latvia13
14Bulgaria14
15Iceland15
16Bosnia & Herzegovina16
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading (2015)43
Pos.Higher is better
Score43
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
4Macau1582
5Estonia1573
...
42Slovakia1389
43Greece1376
44Chile1329
45Bulgaria1319
46Romania1313
47Cyprus1313
Europe Avg1417
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity (2018)44
Pos.Lower is better
%44
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
4Switzerland9
5Denmark9
...
19Russia16
20Australia18
21Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
23Norway19
24Netherlands20
Europe Avg25.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ (2006)45
Pos.Higher is better45
1Hong Kong108
2Singapore108
3S. Korea106
4Japan105
5Taiwan105
...
44Romania94
45Georgia94
46Argentina93
47Bulgaria93
48Ireland92
49Malaysia92
Europe Avg96.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users (2016)46
Pos.Higher is better46
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
4Bermuda97%
5Andorra97%
...
78Belarus61%
79St Vincent & Grenadines60%
80St Lucia59%
81Bulgaria59%
82Turkey58%
83Romania58%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IPv6 Uptake (2017)47
Pos.Higher is better
Ratio47
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
4USA35.0
5Greece33.5
...
45Argentina1.4
46Faroe Islands1.4
47Russia1.3
48Bulgaria1.3
49S. Korea1.2
50Dominican Rep.1.1
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.

7. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

World Giving Index (2013-2021)48
Pos.Lower is better48
1Myanmar (Burma)2.7
2New Zealand4.0
3USA4.7
4Australia4.9
5Indonesia9.0
...
137Montenegro110.3
138Latvia111.1
139Mauritania111.3
140Bulgaria112.3
141Azerbaijan112.3
142Croatia113.0
Europe Avg75.2
World Avg67.9
q=160.
Corruption (2022)49
Pos.Higher is better
Points49
1Denmark90.0
2Finland87.0
3New Zealand87.0
4Norway84.0
5Singapore83.0
...
71Bahrain44.0
72Senegal43.0
73S. Africa43.0
74Bulgaria43.0
75Benin43.0
76Ghana43.0
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
q=180.
Happiness (2018)50
Pos.Higher is better50
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
4Iceland7.5
5Switzerland7.5
...
97Bhutan5.1
98Somalia5.0
99Cameroon5.0
100Bulgaria4.9
101Nepal4.9
102Venezuela4.8
Europe Avg6.06
World Avg5.38
q=156.
Creativity and Culture (2017)32
Pos.Lower is better
Rank32
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
4Switzerland4
5Sweden5
...
36Belize36
37Iceland37
38Croatia38
39Bulgaria39
40Marshall Islands40
41Malaysia41
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid and Development (2017)32
Pos.Lower is better
Rank32
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
4Netherlands4
5Switzerland5
...
36Italy36
37Estonia37
38Cyprus38
39Bulgaria39
40Turkey40
41Marshall Islands41
Europe Avg42.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

8. Peace Versus Instability

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

Global Peace Index (2021)51
Pos.Lower is better51
1Iceland1.10
2New Zealand1.25
3Denmark1.26
4Portugal1.27
5Slovenia1.32
...
24Poland1.52
25Romania1.53
26Slovakia1.56
27Bulgaria1.58
28Mauritius1.59
29Qatar1.61
Europe Avg1.69
World Avg2.08
q=163.
Peacekeeping and Security (2017)32
Pos.Lower is better
Rank32
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
4Egypt4
5Nigeria5
...
66Ghana66
67Sweden67
68Congo, (Brazzaville)68
69Bulgaria69
70Zimbabwe70
71Spain71
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees and UN Treaties (2017)32
Pos.Lower is better
Rank32
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
4Sweden4
5Malta5
...
29USA29
30Singapore30
31Greece31
32Bulgaria32
33S. Korea33
34Mauritius34
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism (2019)52
Pos.Lower is better
Score52
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
4Equatorial Guinea0.00
5Cambodia0.00
...
36Macedonia0.30
37Zambia0.31
38Djibouti0.32
39Bulgaria0.37
40Albania0.42
41Cyprus0.42
Europe Avg1.62
World Avg2.78
q=150.

9. The Natural Environment

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

Forest Area Change 1990-2015 (2015)53
Pos.Higher is better
%53
1Iceland+205.6
2Bahrain+144.4
3Uruguay+131.3
4Kuwait+81.2
5Dominican Rep.+79.5
...
29Iran+17.8
30France+17.7
31Algeria+17.3
32Bulgaria+17.1
33Thailand+17.1
34Chile+16.2
Europe Avg+15.0
World Avg+02.8
q=184.
Environmental Performance (2018)54
Pos.Higher is better54
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
4Malta80.9
5Sweden80.5
...
27USA71.2
28Slovakia70.6
29Lithuania69.3
30Bulgaria67.9
31Costa Rica67.9
32Qatar67.8
Europe Avg69.6
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency (2014)55
Pos.Higher is better55
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
4Colombia17.54
5Ireland17.54
...
84Vietnam07.14
85Saudi Arabia07.04
86Honduras06.80
87Bulgaria06.54
88Qatar06.49
89Finland06.33
Europe Avg09.80
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Pos.Earlier is better
Signed
1China1993 Dec 29
2Guinea1993 Dec 29
3Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
4Vanuatu1993 Dec 29
5Papua New Guinea1993 Dec 29
...
145Tanzania1996 Jun 06
146Eritrea1996 Jun 19
147Ireland1996 Jun 20
148Bulgaria1996 Jul 16
149Rwanda1996 Aug 27
150St Vincent & Grenadines1996 Sep 01
Europe Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment (2011)56
Pos.Higher is better
%56
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
4Trinidad & Tobago74.5%
5Costa Rica74.2%
...
83Luxembourg33.3%
84Togo33.3%
85Benin32.6%
86Bulgaria32.5%
87Kyrgyzstan32.0%
88Georgia31.9%
Europe Avg33.6%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

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

Inequality in Life Expectancy (2019)57
Pos.Higher is worse57
184Chad40.90
183Central African Rep.40.10
182Sierra Leone39.00
181Somalia38.90
180Nigeria37.10
...
52Romania6.30
51USA6.30
50Chile6.30
49Bulgaria6.10
48Malaysia6.10
47Maldives6.00
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) (2017)58
Pos.Lower is better
%58
1Ukraine25.0
2Belarus25.4
3Slovenia25.4
4Czechia25.9
5Moldova25.9
...
74Yemen36.7
75Solomon Islands37.1
76Lithuania37.4
77Bulgaria37.4
78Bhutan37.4
79Vanuatu37.6
Europe Avg31.5
World Avg38.1
q=152.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)44
Pos.Lower is better
%44
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
4Switzerland9
5Denmark9
...
19Russia16
20Australia18
21Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
23Norway19
24Netherlands20
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)59
Pos.Higher is better
%59
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
4Czechia61
5Estonia49
...
11UK42
12Cuba40
13Slovenia35
14Bulgaria34
15Hungary32
16Norway31
World Avg9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below60:

Christian82.1%
Muslim13.7%
Hindu0.1%
Buddhist0.1%
Folk Religion0.1%
Jew0.1%
Unaffiliated4.2%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 95.9% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (34%). This is due to the so-called 'Census Effect', whereby many put down a religion for cultural reasons rather than because it reflects their beliefs. In highly Christian countries, as many as half of those who say they're a Christian lack any connection to a Church, and do not hold Christian beliefs (such as believing in God!).

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 96.2% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 19% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Eastern Orthodox 59.4%, Muslim (Sunni) 7.4%, Muslim (Shia) 0.4%, other (including Catholic, Protestant, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox, and Judaism) 1.7%, other (unknown) 27.4%, none 3.7% (2011 census)61.

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