France (French Republic)

France French Republic
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	19th best
Capital	Paris
Land Area	547 660km21
Location	Europe, The Mediterranean
Population	65.0m2
Life Expectancy	82.50yrs (2017)3
GNI	$45 937 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	FR, FRA, 2505
Internet Domain	.fr6
Currency	Euro (EUR)7
Telephone	+338

1. Overview
2. France National and Social Development
3. France's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. France's Health
6. Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. France's Modernity and Learning
8. France's Culture, Peace and Inequality
9. Religion and Beliefs
10. Links

---

1. Overview

#france #germany

“France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. It plays an influential global role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, NATO, the G-8, the G-20, the EU and other multilateral organizations. France rejoined NATO's integrated military command structure in 2009, reversing de Gaulle's 1966 decision to take French forces out of NATO. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier, more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent decades, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common currency, the euro, in January 1999. In the early 21st century, five French overseas entities - French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion - became French regions and were made part of France proper.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“France seduces travellers with its unfalteringly familiar culture woven around cafe terraces, village-square markets and lace-curtained bistros with their plat du jour chalked on the board. Few countries provoke such passion as La Belle France. Love it or loathe it, everyone has their own opinion about this Gallic Goliath. Snooty, sexy, superior, chic, infuriating, arrogant, officious and inspired in equal measures, the French have long lived according to their own idiosyncratic rules, and if the rest of the world doesn´t always see eye-to-eye with them, well, tant pis (too bad) - it´s the price you pay for being a culinary trendsetter, artistic pioneer and cultural icon.

If ever there was a country of contradictions, this is it. France is a deeply traditional place: castles, chateaux and ancient churches litter the landscape, while centuries-old principles of rich food, fine wine and joie de vivre underpin everyday life. Yet it is also a country that has one of Western Europe´s most multicultural make-ups, not to mention a well-deserved reputation for artistic experimentation and architectural invention. Enjoy!”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. France National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better Value11
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
25	Austria	0.916
26	UAE	0.911
27	Spain	0.905
28	France	0.903
29	Cyprus	0.896
30	Italy	0.895
31	Estonia	0.890
32	Czechia	0.889
	Europe Avg	0.87
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
23	Australia	$49 238
24	Canada	$46 808
25	Saudi Arabia	$46 112
26	France	$45 937
27	UK	$45 225
28	S. Korea	$44 501
29	New Zealand	$44 057
30	Italy	$42 840
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	29.7
2	Norway	33.6
3	Switzerland	35.2
	...
16	Canada	45.3
17	UK	45.6
18	Liechtenstein	46.2
19	France	46.3
20	Slovenia	47.9
21	Spain	49.1
22	Italy	49.7
23	Taiwan	50.3
	Europe Avg	55.7
	World Avg	88.9
q=199.

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. France's Demographics and Migration

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

Population Datasets:

France's population is predicted to rise to 68.47 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.79. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - 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 (two new children for each set of parents who die), 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. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
19	Iran	81.8m
20	Thailand	69.4m
21	UK	67.1m
22	France	65.0m
23	Italy	60.6m
24	S. Africa	57.8m
25	Tanzania	56.3m
26	Myanmar (Burma)	53.7m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
14	Iceland	82.7
15	Canada	82.7
16	Luxembourg	82.6
17	France	82.5
18	New Zealand	82.5
19	Israel	82.3
20	Finland	82.0
21	Ireland	82.0
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
27=	Montenegro	1.80
27=	Moldova	1.80
29	Bahrain	1.80
30	France	1.79
31	N. Korea	1.79
32	Malaysia	1.79
33	El Salvador	1.79
34	Qatar	1.78
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15
Pos.		2016 Per 10015
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
171	Canada	38.5
172	Croatia	39.7
173	Malta	39.9
174=	France	40.5
174=	Austria	40.5
176	Greece	41.3
177	Spain	41.4
178	Netherlands	41.9
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration Datasets:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
44	Spain	12.8%
45	Iceland	12.5%
46	Libya	12.4%
47	France	12.2%
48	Barbados	12.1%
49	Djibouti	12.1%
50	Netherlands	12.1%
51	Slovenia	11.8%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
141	Spain	3.0%
142	Central African Rep.	2.9%
143	Angola	2.8%
144	France	2.8%
145	Costa Rica	2.7%
146	Rwanda	2.6%
147	Pakistan	2.5%
148	Vietnam	2.5%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #France #france_human_rights #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
13	Germany	21.0
14	UK	22.2
15	Spain	24.5
16	France	25.8
17	Ireland	25.9
18	Slovenia	27.8
	Europe Avg	47.37
	World Avg	86.55
q=199.

France performs very well in ensuring human rights and freedom compared to most other countries. France performs the best in commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₁₉. It comes in the best 20 when it comes to freethought₂₀ (amongst the lowest in Europe), LGBT equality₂₁, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₂ and in its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₃. It does better than average in opposing gender inequality₂₄, supporting press freedom₂₅, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₆, eliminating modern slavery₂₇ and in its average Freedom in the World rating. France does not succeed in everything, however. France does worse than average when it comes to its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₈. In some cases, anti-terrorism laws are being used to bypass judicial process, and, France's dealing with the Calais area migration camps have resulted in "dire living conditions" and the French ombudsman states that police behaviour has been abusive.₂₉.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in France

5. France's Health

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

Compared to Europe (2025)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
8	Iceland	53.8
9	Switzerland	54.7
10	Netherlands	56.7
11	France	56.9
12	Sweden	57.0
13	Channel Islands	58.4
14	Belgium	62.8
15	Luxembourg	63.4
16	Finland	63.5
	Europe Avg	86.87
q=51.

Health (2025)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
17	Iceland	53.8
18	Switzerland	54.7
19	Netherlands	56.7
20	France	56.9
21	Sweden	57.0
22	New Caledonia	57.9
23	China	57.9
24	Channel Islands	58.4
	World Avg	96.49
q=213.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man₃₁. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, The Cook Islands and S. Sudan₃₁.

27 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on 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, obesity rate, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₃₁, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Melanesia and Australasia₃₁.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Health Datasets:

France has some poor policies and cultural issues which cause some public health problems. France comes in the best 20 in its average life expectancy₁₁. It does better than average when it comes to its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₂, its fertility rate₁₄ and in its adolescent birth rate₃₃. France still has work to do. France does worse than average in its immunizations take-up₃₄ and in the prevalence of overweight adults₃₅. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 when it comes to its suicide rate₃₆, its smoking rate₃₇ and in its alcohol consumption rate₃₈. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years. Life expectancy in France improved by +5.9yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs. France's peak fertility rate was 2.89 in 1962.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
14	Iceland	82.7
15	Canada	82.7
16	Luxembourg	82.6
17	France	82.5
18	New Zealand	82.5
19	Israel	82.3
20	Finland	82.0
21	Ireland	82.0
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better38
Pos.		2016 Per Capita38
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
176	Belgium	12.1
177	Portugal	12.3
178=	Slovenia	12.6
178=	France	12.6
180	Romania	12.7
181=	Bulgaria	12.7
182	Latvia	12.9
183=	Luxembourg	13.0
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
27=	Montenegro	1.80
27=	Moldova	1.80
29	Bahrain	1.80
30	France	1.79
31	N. Korea	1.79
32	Malaysia	1.79
33	El Salvador	1.79
34	Qatar	1.78
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better37
Pos.		Total %37
1	Nigeria	3.3%
2	Ghana	3.4%
3	Panama	5.2%
	...
148	Tuvalu	33.7%
149	Latvia	33.9%
150	Lebanon	34.3%
151	France	34.6%
152=	Jordan	35.6%
152=	Cyprus	35.6%
154	Bosnia & Herzegovina	36.2%
155	Andorra	36.2%
	Europe Avg	27.0%
	World Avg	20.0%
q=165.

Suicide Rate36
Pos.		2013 Per 100k36
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
70	Poland	30.5
71	Austria	30.9
72	Uruguay	32.3
73	France	33.2
74	Moldova	35.7
75	Switzerland	36.2
76	Croatia	36.4
77	Estonia	37.9
	Europe Avg	26.99
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
20	Kuwait	20
21	Japan	21
22	Spain	22
23	France	23
24	Italy	24
25	Qatar	25
26	Oman	26
27	Estonia	27
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better35
Pos.		1976 %35
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
148=	Iraq	40.0
148=	Venezuela	40.0
148=	Italy	40.0
151	France	40.4
152=	Argentina	40.4
152=	Chile	40.4
154	Uruguay	40.5
155=	UK	40.6
	Europe Avg	38.2
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better39
Pos.		2022 %39
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
40	Nigeria	10.8%
41	Djibouti	10.9%
42	N. Korea	10.9%
43	France	10.9%
44	Kenya	11.0%
45	Tanzania	11.4%
46	Indonesia	11.5%
47	Yemen	11.6%
	Europe Avg	25.9%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199.

Children's Health Datasets:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better33
Pos.		2022 Per 100033
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
41	Poland	9.2
42	Czechia	9.4
43	Bosnia & Herzegovina	9.4
44	France	9.4
45	Brunei	9.5
46	Oman	9.7
47	Lithuania	9.7
48	Montenegro	9.7
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better34
Pos.		2015 Avg %34
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
98	USA	92.8
99	Latvia	92.8
100	Romania	92.7
101	France	92.6
102=	El Salvador	92.4
102=	Swaziland	92.4
104	Palau	92.4
105	Vietnam	92.3
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Responsibility Towards The Environment

#climate_change #france #france_and_the_environment #france_environment #french_polynesia #new_zealand #nuclear_weapons #the_environment

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)40
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank40
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
63	Finland	71.9
64	Yemen	71.9
65	Pakistan	72.0
66	France	72.8
67	Congo, DR	73.0
68	Romania	73.8
	Europe Avg	86.45
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

France comes 66th in the world in terms of its responsibility towards the environment. This is computed from 21 data sets. France does the second-best in terms of its environmental performance₄₁. It comes in the best 20 when it comes to its score on the Green Future Index₄₂. It does better than average in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₃, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, energy to GDP efficiency₄₄ and in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₅. Scrutiny by the European Parliament finds that France has effectively reduced its emissions by 31.2% between 2005 and 2023₄₆. France still has work to do. France does worse than average in reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₇. France conducted nuclear weapons testing in French Polynesia (southern Pacific) for thirty years, at the Mururoa Atoll. It was so committed to this that its service blew up Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior ship whilst it was harboured in New Zealand in 1985, killing one crew member₄₈, because it was preparing to protest Mururoa. Despite no tests being conducted for thirty years, the area is still so radioactive that the French military guard it.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• France and the Environment

7. France's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #france #intelligence #it_security #maths #modernity #qatar #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #singapore #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)49
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank49
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
13	Austria	19.9
14=	Czechia	21.8
15	Slovenia	22.5
16	France	26.8
17	Hungary	29.0
18	Spain	30.0
19	Latvia	30.3
20	Lithuania	31.4
21	Poland	33.2
	Europe Avg	39.81
q=45.

Modernity & Learning (2020)49
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank49
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
19	Slovenia	22.5
20	Japan	24.7
21	USA	26.4
22	France	26.8
23	Hungary	29.0
24	Israel	29.5
25	Spain	30.0
26	Latvia	30.3
	World Avg	86.31
q=190.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Belgium and Denmark₅₀. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone₅₀. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₁.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”

Bill Emmott (2017)₅₂

15 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Intellectual Endeavours, Maths, Science & Reading, Religiosity, IQ, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₅₀, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₅₀.

For more, see:

• "Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Modernity and Education Datasets:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2953
2	Israel	4.1153
3	Japan	3.5853
	...
11	USA	2.7454
12	Belgium	2.4653
13	Slovenia	2.3953
14	France	2.2653
15	Australia	2.2555
16=	Singapore	2.0054
16=	Czechia	2.0053
18	Netherlands	1.9753
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better56
Pos.		201856
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
52	Belgium	84.8%
53	UK	84.5%
54	Jordan	84.0%
55	France	83.5%
56	Sri Lanka	82.8%
57	Bosnia & Herzegovina	81.2%
58	Malaysia	80.8%
59	Cyprus	80.3%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better57
Pos.		2021 Years57
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
39	Austria	16.0
40	Estonia	15.9
41	Thailand	15.9
42	France	15.8
43	Palau	15.8
44	Russia	15.8
45	Kazakhstan	15.8
46	UAE	15.7
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
21	Germany	21
22	Grenada	22
23	Poland	23
24	France	24
25	S. Africa	25
26	Singapore	26
27	Greece	27
28	Serbia	28
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better58
Pos.		2015 Score58
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
22=	Australia	1507
23	UK	1499
24	Portugal	1491
25=	France	1487
25=	Sweden	1487
27	Austria	1477
28	Russia	1476
29	Spain	1475
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

Religiosity Lower is better59
Pos.		2018 %59
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
9=	Japan	10
9=	Finland	10
11	Latvia	11
12=	France	11
12=	Belgium	11
14	Austria	12
15	Hungary	14
16	Albania	15
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better60
Pos.		200660
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
23=	Andorra	98
23=	Czechia	98
23=	Spain	98
23=	France	98
23=	Australia	98
23=	Denmark	98
23=	USA	98
23=	Latvia	98
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information Datasets:

Internet Users Higher is better61
Pos.		201661
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
24	Germany	88%
25	Aruba	88%
26	Switzerland	87%
27	France	86%
28	S. Korea	86%
29	Australia	85%
30	Bahamas	85%
31	Puerto Rico	83%
	Europe Avg	76.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IT Security Lower is better62
Pos.		201362
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
46	Indonesia	1.05
47	British Virgin Islands	1.08
48	Mali	1.12
49	France	1.13
50	Italy	1.15
51	Vietnam	1.15
52	Nigeria	1.18
53	Mauritania	1.19
	Europe Avg	0.80
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better63
Pos.		2017 Ratio63
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
9	Ireland	26.1
10	UK	24.7
11	Japan	22.1
12	France	18.8
13	Canada	18.3
14	Peru	18.3
15	Ecuador	18.2
16	Estonia	17.6
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better64
Pos.		202464
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
4	Netherlands	72.6%
5	Denmark	72.3%
6	Austria	70.8%
7	Spain	70.5%
8	Luxembourg	70.0%
9	UK	69.3%
10	Estonia	69.3%
11	Switzerland	69.0%
12	Sweden	68.7%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

France manages the 3rd-highest quality internet access in the world, after Qatar and Singapore₆₅.

8. France's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#afghanistan #capitalism #charitability #charity #corruption #culture #economics #equality #extremism #france #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #iraq #life_expectancy #morals #peace #politics #religious_violence #social_development #terrorism #UK #USA

Compared to Europe (2020)66
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank66
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
15	Malta	36.8
16	Czechia	38.9
17	Hungary	41.1
18	France	41.3
19	Poland	41.5
20	Estonia	44.2
21	Spain	45.0
22	Cyprus	47.4
23	Portugal	48.2
	Europe Avg	48.48
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2020)66
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank66
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
22	Hong Kong	40.5
23	Hungary	41.1
24	UAE	41.1
25	France	41.3
26	Poland	41.5
27	Estonia	44.2
28	Qatar	44.8
29	Spain	45.0
	World Avg	78.12
q=180.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 22 datasets, including multiple decades of data on World Giving Index, resisting corruption, overall happiness, Creativity and Culture, Open Trading, Aid and Development, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, Inequality in Life Expectancy, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

• "Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

National Culture Datasets:

France has an excellent long-term record on keeping corruption low.

World Giving Index Higher is better67
Pos.		2022 %67
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
102=	Spain	32.0
102=	Benin	32.0
102=	Jordan	32.0
102=	France	32.0
102=	Greece	32.0
107	Georgia	31.0
108=	Morocco	31.0
108=	Zimbabwe	31.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better68
Pos.		2022 Points68
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
18	UK	73.0
19=	Japan	73.0
19=	Belgium	73.0
21	France	72.0
22	Austria	71.0
23	Seychelles	70.0
24	USA	69.0
25=	Taiwan	68.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better69
Pos.		2024 Score69
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
30	Kuwait	6.6
31	Serbia	6.6
32	Saudi Arabia	6.6
33	France	6.6
34	Singapore	6.6
35	Romania	6.6
36	Brazil	6.5
37	El Salvador	6.5
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
11	UK	11
12	Portugal	12
13	Finland	13
14	France	14
15	Germany	15
16	Slovenia	16
17	Latvia	17
18	Barbados	18
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
14	Germany	14
15	Albania	15
16	Togo	16
17	France	17
18	Singapore	18
19	Malaysia	19
20	Nicaragua	20
21	Portugal	21
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Peace Versus Instability Datasets:

France was involved in the invasion of Afghanistan (2001) but opposed that of Iraq (2003); nonetheless between 1946 and 2003, it was still involved in more inter-state conflicts and interventions (19 in total) than the USA (at 16) and only the UK had more in that period (21)₇₀.

Global Peace Index Lower is better71
Pos.		2023 Score71
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
64	Cyprus	1.90
65	Serbia	1.92
66	Armenia	1.93
67	France	1.94
68	Panama	1.94
69	Paraguay	1.94
70=	Liberia	1.95
70=	Trinidad & Tobago	1.95
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
50	Ireland	50
51	Norway	51
52	Finland	52
53	France	53
54	Australia	54
55	Italy	55
56	Mauritius	56
57	Zambia	57
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
13	Belgium	13
14	Italy	14
15	Spain	15
16	France	16
17	Cyprus	17
18	Slovenia	18
19	New Zealand	19
20	Luxembourg	20
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better72
Pos.		2019 Score72
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
112	Iran	4.72
113	Chad	4.76
114	Russia	4.90
115	France	5.01
116	Indonesia	5.07
117	Nepal	5.09
118	Burundi	5.10
119	Palestine	5.18
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets:

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better73
Pos.		201973
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
24	Denmark	3.60
25	Australia	3.70
26=	Austria	3.70
27	France	3.80
28=	Germany	3.80
29	UK	4.10
30	Hungary	4.20
31=	Croatia	4.30
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better74
Pos.		2023 %74
1	Slovakia	24.1%75
2	Slovenia	24.3%75
3	Belarus	24.4%76
	...
40	Cyprus	31.3%75
41=	Mongolia	31.4%77
41=	Malta	31.4%76
43	France	31.5%75
44	Taiwan	31.6%75
45	Canada	31.7%78
46=	Lebanon	31.8%79
46=	Estonia	31.8%75
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#afterlife #belief #buddhism #christianity #france #god #heaven #hell #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation #universalism

Religiosity (2018)59
Pos.		Lower is better %59
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
9=	Japan	10
9=	Finland	10
11	Latvia	11
12=	France	11
12=	Belgium	11
14	Austria	12
15	Hungary	14
16	Albania	15
17=	Lithuania	16
17=	S. Korea	16
17=	Russia	16
20	Australia	18
21=	Vietnam	18
22	Bulgaria	19
23=	Norway	19
24	Netherlands	20
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)80
Pos.		Higher is better %80
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
4	Czechia	61
5	Estonia	49
6	Denmark	48
7	France	44
8	Belgium	43
9=	Netherlands	42
9=	Germany	42
9=	UK	42
12	Cuba	40
13	Slovenia	35
14	Bulgaria	34
15	Hungary	32
16	Norway	31
17	S. Korea	30
18	Finland	28
19	Russia	27
20	Australia	25
	World Avg	9.9
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 below₈₁:

Christian	63%
Muslim	7.5%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.5%
Folk Religion	0.3%
Jewish	0.5%
Unaffiliated	28%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 71% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (44%). 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 71.9% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 11% 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:

• "Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree (2009)

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4%. overseas departments: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, pagan₈₂.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on France₈₃. Despite the large numbers of Christians, not many have traditional beliefs in the afterlife - just 4%. More people don't know what to believe (32%). Even more people believe that upon death, you simply cease to exist (39%). Also, 1% specifically believe in heaven but not in hell (which is nice - making them possible "universalists"). 5% believe in reincarnation.

France is a highly secular country, and even amongst those who declare themselves to be religious there is a high degree of non-belief. 51% of the French people are Catholic, but only half of those Catholics actually say they believe in God. Of the god-believers, only 18% of them have Catholic beliefs about God. These statistics led scholar Nikolai G. Wenzel (2011)₈₄ to ask "what does it really mean to be Catholic any more?".₈₅. Those statistics from 2007 have been verified by later data:

The movement to remove the privileges of institutionalized religion in France started earliest out of all Europe. Dobbelaere (2011)₈₆ records that...:

“In France, the secularist movement started at the end of the eighteenth century with laws introducing gradually the separation of church and state... state schools were compelled by law to be 'laïque' and 'neutral' towards the different creeds.”

"The Meaning and Scope of Secularization" by Karel Dobbelaere (2011)₈₇

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)₈₈, in which they document bias and prejudice at the national level that is based on religion, belief and/or lack of belief. Their entry for France is one of the shortest of all countries (a good sign). It states:

“The constitution and other laws, including the 1905 law on the "Separation of the Churches and the State", ensure state secularism (laïcité) and protect freedom of religion or belief. There are some exceptions to the policy of strict secularism. For example the French government owns and maintains free of charge all the Roman Catholic churches built before 1905, but no other religious building. And the law of 1905 does not completely apply to regions that (re)joined France after 1905. For example, there are still blasphemy laws on the book in the regions of Alsace and Moselle, as Articles 166 and 167 of the local penal code, although no convictions have been registered.”

"Freedom of Thought" by IHEU (2012)₈₉

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?