The Human Truth Foundation

Germany (Federal Republic of Germany)

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

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#catholicism #denmark #environmentalism #germany #ghana #iceland #internationalism #ivory_coast #japan #singapore #south_korea #taiwan #USA

Germany
Federal Republic of Germany
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index10th best
CapitalBerlin
Land Area 348 570km21
LocationEurope
Population83.1m2
Life Expectancy80.63yrs (2017)3
GNI$54 534 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesDE, DEU, 2765
Internet Domain.de6
CurrencyEuro (EUR)7
Telephone+498

1. Overview

#france #russia #UK

As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the Communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring Eastern productivity and wages up to Western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverPrepare for a roller coaster of feasts, treats and temptations as you take in Germany´s soul-stirring scenery, spirit-lifting culture, big-city beauties, romantic palaces and half-timbered towns. Beer or wine? That sums up the German conundrum. One is at the heart of a pilsner-swilling culture, is the very reason for one of the world´s great parties (Oktoberfest) and is consumed with pleasure across the land. The other is responsible for gorgeous vine-covered valleys, comes in myriad forms and is enjoyed everywhere, often from cute little green-stemmed glasses. [...]

Berlin, edgy and vibrant, is a grand capital in a constant state of reinvention. Munich rules Bavaria, the centre of national traditions. Half-timbered villages bring smiles as you wander the cobblestoned and castle-shadowed lanes. Exploring this country and all its facets keeps visitors happy for weeks.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Germany 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
6Denmark0.948
7Sweden0.947
8Ireland0.945
9Germany0.942
10Netherlands0.941
11Finland0.940
12Singapore0.939
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
...
12Denmark$60 365
13Netherlands$55 979
14Iceland$55 782
15Germany$54 534
16Sweden$54 489
17Austria$53 619
18Kuwait$52 920
19San Marino$52 654
Europe Avg$40 512
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Norway28.6
2Denmark30.0
3Sweden30.7
...
7Iceland35.0
8Canada36.8
9Switzerland37.2
10Germany37.4
11Australia38.2
12Austria38.6
13UK39.0
14Belgium40.1
Europe Avg57.4
World Avg86.8
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. Germany's Demographics and Migration

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

Population:

Germany's population is predicted to fall to 79 469 000 by 2030. Developed countries with falling populations face a pension's crises, whereby an increasingly ageing population must be cared for by fewer and fewer workers. Economic stability can be maintained by increasing foreign workers from younger countries. This country has a fertility rate of 1.44. 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.

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
14Egypt98.4m
15Vietnam95.5m
16Congo, DR84.1m
17Germany83.1m
18Turkey82.3m
19Iran81.8m
20Thailand69.4m
21UK67.1m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
28San Marino80.9
29UK80.7
30Slovenia80.7
31Germany80.6
32Andorra80.4
33Greece80.1
34Maldives79.9
35Qatar79.3
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
91Moldova1.46
92Cuba1.45
93India2.55
94Germany1.44
95Laos2.58
96Malaysia2.58
97Hungary1.42
98Romania1.42
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
14
Pos.2016
Per 10014
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
178Netherlands41.9
179Slovenia42.7
180Finland43.3
181Hong Kong43.7
182Portugal44.7
183Germany47.7
184Italy48.6
185Japan53.1
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants15
Pos.2017
%15
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
33Maldives15.4%
34USA15.3%
35Norway15.1%
36Germany14.8%
37Estonia14.7%
38Gabon13.8%
39St Kitts & Nevis13.7%
40Seychelles13.6%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants16
Pos.2010
%16
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
118Sierra Leone4.6%
119Philippines4.6%
120Egypt4.4%
121Germany4.3%
122S. Korea4.3%
123Belgium4.2%
124Syria4.2%
125Burundi4.2%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

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

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)17
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank17
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
11Australia23.9
12Hong Kong24.3
13France24.7
14Germany24.8
15Belgium25.9
16Uruguay26.5
Europe Avg51.4
World Avg87.9
q=199.
Germany performs very well in ensuring human rights and freedom compared to most other countries. Germany does the best when it comes to commentary in Human Rights Watch reports18. It does the second-best in its nominal commitment to Human Rights19. It comes in the best 20 in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)20 (amongst the lowest in Europe), opposing gender inequality21, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms22 and in supporting press freedom23. It does better than average in speed of uptake of HR treaties24, LGBT equality25 and in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice26. But, there's bad news too. Germany does worse than average for freethought27.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Germany's Health

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

Compared to Europe (2020)28
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank28
1Monaco13.0
2Norway61.0
3=Finland65.3
...
7Portugal72.3
8Luxembourg72.9
9Denmark74.3
10Germany74.4
11Austria74.5
12Sweden75.6
13Iceland76.9
14=Netherlands77.0
15Greece77.4
Europe Avg82.5
q=46.
Health (2020)28
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank28
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
...
27Luxembourg72.9
28Morocco73.1
29Denmark74.3
30Germany74.4
31Austria74.5
32Iran75.5
33Antigua & Barbuda75.6
34Sweden75.6
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 Maldives29. 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 Palau29.

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 Mediterranean29, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa29.

For more, see:

Health:

Germany does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Germany comes in the best 20 for its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance30 and in its adolescent birth rate21. It does better than average in its average life expectancy11 and in its immunizations take-up31. Germany still has work to do. Germany does worse than average for its suicide rate32, its fertility rate13 and in its smoking rate33. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 when it comes to its alcohol consumption rate34 (one of the worst in Europe). The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Germany improved by +6.2yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
28San Marino80.9
29UK80.7
30Slovenia80.7
31Germany80.6
32Andorra80.4
33Greece80.1
34Maldives79.9
35Qatar79.3
Europe Avg78.36
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
34
Pos.2016
Per Capita34
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
182Latvia12.9
183=Luxembourg13.0
183=Ireland13.0
185Nigeria13.4
186=Germany13.4
187Czechia14.4
188Lithuania15.0
189Moldova15.2
Europe Avg10.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
91Moldova1.46
92Cuba1.45
93India2.55
94Germany1.44
95Laos2.58
96Malaysia2.58
97Hungary1.42
98Romania1.42
Europe Avg1.61
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
33
Pos.201433
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
147Netherlands1 396
148Poland1 396
149Italy1 443
150Germany1 480
151Bulgaria1 505
152Kuwait1 517
153Armenia1 545
154Turkey1 581
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate32
Pos.2013
Per 100k32
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
58Ireland23.7
59Norway23.8
60=Denmark23.9
60=Germany23.9
62Cuba24.5
63=Romania24.5
64Bulgaria25
65Sweden25.5
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
4UK4
5Norway5
6Switzerland6
7Germany7
8Canada8
9Netherlands9
10USA10
11Luxembourg11
12Finland12
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better35
Pos.2016
%35
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
107Slovakia56.2
108Sweden56.4
109Brazil56.5
110Germany56.8
111=Vanuatu57.1
111=Serbia57.1
111=Russia57.1
114Portugal57.5
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
21
Pos.2015
Per 100021
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
...
15Iceland6.1
16Libya6.2
17Finland6.5
18Germany6.7
19Maldives6.7
20Tunisia6.8
21Austria7.1
22China7.3
Europe Avg14.6
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
31
Pos.2015
Avg %31
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
79=UAE94.0
79=Bangladesh94.0
79=Tanzania94.0
79=Germany94.0
83Lithuania93.9
84Estonia93.9
85N. Korea93.8
86Italy93.8
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Germany's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2023)36
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank36
1Greece50.4
2Italy51.8
3Germany55.8
4=Norway56.0
4=Sweden56.0
6Portugal57.0
7=Spain57.6
8Switzerland60.8
9=France61.8
9=Denmark61.8
11Luxembourg64.2
12Netherlands65.8
13=Austria66.6
Europe Avg79.9
q=43.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)36
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank36
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Uruguay48.0
...
11Canada53.4
12Maldives55.0
13Seychelles55.3
14Germany55.8
15=Sweden56.0
15=Norway56.0
17Jordan56.5
18Portugal57.0
World Avg85.7
q=188.
(amongst the lowest in Europe)Germany comes 14th-best in the world when it comes to its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 7 data sets. Germany comes in the best 20 in its score on the Green Future Index37 and in its environmental performance38. It does better than average for energy to GDP efficiency39, how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity and in its forested percent change 1990-201540 (but bad for Europe). But, things still need to improve in Germany. Germany does worse than average when it comes to the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population41 (still good for Europe) and in annual meat consumption per person42.

Forest Area Change 1990-2015
Higher is better
40
Pos.2015
%40
1Iceland+205.6
2Bahrain+144.4
3Uruguay+131.3
...
68Finland+01.8
69Ivory Coast+01.8
70Czechia+01.5
71Germany+01.2
72Estonia+01.2
73Seychelles+01.1
74Palestine+01.0
75Tajikistan+01.0
Europe Avg+15.0
World Avg+02.8
q=184.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
38
Pos.201838
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
10Finland78.6
11Iceland78.6
12Spain78.4
13Germany78.4
14Norway77.5
15Belgium77.4
16Italy77.0
17New Zealand76.0
Europe Avg69.6
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Higher is better39
Pos.201439
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
...
30=El Salvador11.76
31Romania11.49
32=Austria11.24
32=Germany11.24
32=Greece11.24
32=Tunisia11.24
36Indonesia11.11
37=Israel11.11
Europe Avg09.80
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.0
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
38Sweden1994 Mar 16
39=Spain1994 Mar 21
39=Portugal1994 Mar 21
39=Germany1994 Mar 21
39=Denmark1994 Mar 21
43Belize1994 Mar 30
44Albania1994 Apr 05
45Malawi1994 May 03
Europe Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better41
Pos.2011
%41
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
76Croatia37.8%
77Cambodia37.1%
78Namibia36.6%
79Germany36.1%
80Montenegro35.9%
81Rwanda35.8%
82Romania33.4%
83Luxembourg33.3%
Europe Avg33.6%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
42
Pos.2021
kg42
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
135Mexico75.4
136Cyprus75.8
137Austria76.4
138Germany76.6
139Greece76.8
140Serbia77.6
141Russia78.4
142Bolivia78.4
Europe Avg71.1
World Avg52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Germany was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment. It managed to reduce this by over 10kgs per year (only 17 countries managed the same).42

Green Future Index
Higher is better37
Pos.2023
Score37
1Iceland6.7
2Finland6.7
3Norway6.4
...
8S. Korea6.0
9France6.0
10=Spain5.9
10=Germany5.9
12Belgium5.8
13Italy5.7
14=Ireland5.7
14=Canada5.7
Europe Avg5.6
World Avg4.8
q=76.

The 2023 edition of the Green Futures Index lists Germany among five countries who are doing the best at recycling, alongside Iceland, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan).43

7. Germany's Modernity and Learning

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

Compared to Europe (2020)44
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank44
1Finland8.4
2Switzerland15.1
3Estonia15.8
4Denmark16.0
5Belgium16.1
6Czechia16.7
7Sweden18.6
8Germany18.6
9Iceland19.6
10Austria19.6
11Norway21.0
12Slovenia21.3
13UK21.5
Europe Avg41.2
q=49.
Modernity & Learning (2020)44
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank44
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
...
7Czechia16.7
8New Zealand17.6
9Sweden18.6
10Germany18.6
11Australia19.2
12Iceland19.6
13Austria19.6
14Norway21.0
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2945
2Israel4.1145
3Japan3.5845
...
7Taiwan3.0145
8Austria3.0046
9Switzerland2.9647
10Germany2.8445
11USA2.7448
12Belgium2.4645
13Slovenia2.3945
14France2.2645
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
49
Pos.201849
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
18New Zealand96.9%
19Switzerland96.5%
20Moldova96.4%
21Germany96.3%
22Russia95.9%
23Croatia95.7%
24Azerbaijan95.6%
25USA95.6%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
50
Pos.2021
Years50
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
...
16Slovenia17.7
17UK17.3
18Hong Kong17.3
19Germany17.0
20Portugal16.9
21Malta16.8
22Uruguay16.8
23Chile16.7
Europe Avg16.1
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
18Lithuania18
19Macedonia19
20Australia20
21Germany21
22Grenada22
23Poland23
24France24
25S. Africa25
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading
Higher is better
51
Pos.2015
Score51
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
...
10China154352
11=Ireland1528
11=Slovenia1528
13Germany1524
14=Netherlands1524
15Switzerland1519
16New Zealand1517
17=Norway1513
Europe Avg1417
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity
Lower is better
53
Pos.2018
%53
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
4=Switzerland9
4=Denmark9
6Germany10
7=UK10
7=Sweden10
7=Japan10
7=Finland10
11Latvia11
12=France11
Europe Avg25.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ
Higher is better54
Pos.200654
1=Hong Kong108
1=Singapore108
3S. Korea106
...
14=UK100
15New Zealand99
16=Poland99
16=Germany99
16=Finland99
16=Estonia99
16=Sweden99
16=Belgium99
Europe Avg96.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
55
Pos.201655
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
21=Canada89%
21=Belgium89%
23Czechia88%
24Germany88%
25Aruba88%
26Switzerland87%
27France86%
28S. Korea86%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
Freedom On The Internet
Lower is better
56
Pos.201256
1Estonia10
2USA12
3Germany15
4Australia18
5Hungary19
6=Philippines23
6=Italy23
8UK25
9=S. Africa26
9=Argentina26
11Ukraine27
12=Brazil27
Europe Avg31.4
World Avg46.7
q=47.
IT Security
Lower is better
57
Pos.201357
1=Ireland0.11
1=Luxembourg0.11
1=Belize0.11
...
64Ukraine1.44
65Nepal1.45
66Afghanistan1.45
67Germany1.46
68Netherlands1.47
69Rwanda1.50
70Tanzania1.50
71Maldives1.57
Europe Avg0.80
World Avg0.98
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
58
Pos.2017
Ratio58
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
4USA35.0
5Greece33.5
6Luxembourg32.4
7India26.8
8Portugal26.6
9Ireland26.1
10UK24.7
11Japan22.1
12France18.8
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

World Giving Index
Higher is better
59
Pos.2022
%59
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
54=Ecuador42.0
55Bulgaria41.0
56=Slovakia41.0
56=Germany41.0
58Nepal40.0
59=Malaysia40.0
59=Nicaragua40.0
59=Senegal40.0
Europe Avg39.0
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
60
Pos.2022
Points60
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
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
q=180.

Since the 1990s, Germany has had a consistently strong resistance to corruption, and in 2019 managed for the first time to enter the top-10-best on the Corruption Perception Index.

Happiness
Higher is better
61
Pos.2018
Score61
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
...
12Austria7.1
13Costa Rica7.1
14Ireland7.0
15Germany7.0
16Belgium6.9
17Luxembourg6.9
18USA6.9
19UK6.8
Europe Avg6.06
World Avg5.38
q=156.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
12Portugal12
13Finland13
14France14
15Germany15
16Slovenia16
17Latvia17
18Barbados18
19Hungary19
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
...
11Georgia11
12Philippines12
13Austria13
14Germany14
15Albania15
16Togo16
17France17
18Singapore18
Europe Avg42.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

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

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
62
Pos.2023
Score62
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
12Czechia1.38
13Finland1.40
14Croatia1.45
15Germany1.46
16Netherlands1.49
17Bhutan1.50
18Hungary1.51
19Malaysia1.51
Europe Avg1.70
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
34Malaysia34
35S. Korea35
36Qatar36
37Germany37
38Togo38
39Argentina39
40China40
41Canada41
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
4Sweden4
5Malta5
6Australia6
7Norway7
8Finland8
9Denmark9
10Switzerland10
11Canada11
12UK12
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
63
Pos.2019
Score63
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
104Venezuela4.10
105Chile4.12
106Greece4.17
107Germany4.25
108Lebanon4.40
109China4.47
110S. Africa4.51
111Israel4.53
Europe Avg1.62
World Avg2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

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

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better64
Pos.201964
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
...
25Australia3.70
26=Austria3.70
27France3.80
28=Germany3.80
29UK4.10
30Hungary4.20
31=Croatia4.30
31=Poland4.30
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better65
Pos.2017
%65
1Ukraine25.0
2=Belarus25.4
2=Slovenia25.4
...
25Poland30.8
26Croatia31.1
27S. Korea31.6
28Germany31.7
29=Egypt31.8
29=Ireland31.8
29=Lebanon31.8
32Montenegro31.9
Europe Avg31.5
World Avg38.1
q=152.

11. Religion and Beliefs

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

Religiosity (2018)53
Pos.Lower is better
%53
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
4=Switzerland9
4=Denmark9
6Germany10
7=UK10
7=Sweden10
7=Japan10
7=Finland10
11Latvia11
12=France11
12=Belgium11
14Austria12
15Hungary14
16Albania15
17=Lithuania16
17=S. Korea16
17=Russia16
20Australia18
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)66
Pos.Higher is better
%66
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
...
7France44
8Belgium43
9=Netherlands42
9=Germany42
9=UK42
12Cuba40
13Slovenia35
14Bulgaria34
15Hungary32
16Norway31
17S. Korea30
18Finland28
19Russia27
20Australia25
21Taiwan24
22=New Zealand22
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 below67:

Christian68.7%
Muslim5.8%
Hindu0.1%
Buddhist0.3%
Folk Religion0.1%
Jewish0.3%
Unaffiliated24.7%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 74.8% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (42%). 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 75.3% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 10% 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: Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3%68.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Germany69. Despite the large numbers of Christians, not many have traditional beliefs in the afterlife - just 5%. More people don't know what to believe (37%). Some believe that upon death, you simply cease to exist (25%). Also, 3% specifically believe in heaven but not in hell (which is nice - making them possible "universalists"). 6% believe in reincarnation.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)70, 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 Germany states:

The constitution and other laws protect freedom of religion or belief. However, the criminal code addresses the insulting of faiths, religious societies, and ideological groups. Article 166 of the German Criminal Code states, "Whoever publicly or through dissemination of writings insults the content of others' religious faith or faith related to a philosophy of life in a manner that is capable of disturbing the public peace, shall be punished with imprisonment for not more than three years or a fine."

In 1974, the German state of Bavaria concluded a treaty with the Holy See (technically an addition to the concordat between Bavaria and Pope Pius XI of 1924) which gave Catholic bishops the right to veto the nomination of a professor of theology, philosophy, pedagogy and sociology/political science at state universities if the candidate does not entertain the standpoint of the Catholic Church. This stipulation concerned professors in the faculties of seven Bavarian universities. The Catholic Church had urged this privilege as a compensation for its loss of influence over children from Catholic families after the people of Bavaria had voted in a referendum in 1968 to abolish the separation of primary schools into separate Catholic and Protestant schools.

Cases of Discrimination:

On Feb. 23, 2006, a 61-year-old German businessman who printed the word "Koran" repeatedly along toilet paper reportedly in order to raise funds for an artistic campaign against Islamic terrorism was given a one year suspended prison sentence and ordered to complete 300 hours of community service. The jail term was suspended for five years, meaning the man could be jailed for one year if he committed another offence in the next five. His sentence was made harsher than usual because it followed the worldwide controversy over the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad published in Danish newspapers.

On April 24, 2009, German professor of Islamic studies Sven Kalisch, expressed doubts about the historical existence of Muhammad and received death threats. He must live under police protection and teach in secret. Kalisch received a prohibition from the Minister of Science Andreas Pinkwart against participating in the education of teachers of Qur'an, but he is permitted to continue his research.

On April 9, 2010, the German magazine Titanic was prosecuted by a Frankfurt court for a front page cartoon in which the crucified Jesus appears to be receiving fellatio from a Catholic cleric, as a commentary to the actual pedophilia scandals in the Catholic Church.

"Freedom of Thought" by IHEU (2012)71

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