Italy (Italian Republic)

https://www.humantruth.info/italy.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2025

Italy Italian Republic
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	20th best
Capital	Rome
Land Area	294 140km²₁
Location	Europe, The Mediterranean
Population	60.6m₂
Life Expectancy	82.85yrs (2017)₃
GNI	$42 840 (2017)₄
ISO3166-1 Codes	IT, ITA, 380₅
Internet Domain	.it₆
Currency	Euro (EUR)₇
Telephone	+39₈

1. Overview

#germany

“Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy is a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include sluggish economic growth, high youth and female unemployment, organized crime, corruption, and economic disparities between southern Italy and the more prosperous north.”
CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Italy is the ultimate dream date: impossibly good-looking, impeccably cultured and obscenely good in the kitchen. Endlessly inspiring and naturally flirtatious, it will leave you swooning. Italians really do know how to live well. Ever since the Etruscans came, liked what they saw and decided to stay and party, the locals have embraced the finer things in life. Here, family, faith, friendship, food and wine reign supreme, contributing to the famous Italian dolce vita (sweet life).
Travellers have been falling under Italy´s spell ever since the days of the 18th-century Grand Tour, enticed by its sun-kissed landscape, delectable cuisine and extraordinary art. This is the home of gently rolling Tuscan hills and postcard-perfect coastlines; the place where simple dishes such as pizza and pasta attain culinary perfection. It´s where Michelangelo shocked the establishment with his humanist sculptures and Caravaggio shocked everyone else with his criminal highjinks and darkly atmospheric paintings.
So make like Julius Caesar. Come and see - you´re sure to be conquered. If you get it right, travelling in the bel paese (beautiful country) is one of those rare experiences than cannot be overrated.”
"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Italy 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
	...
27	Spain	0.905
28	France	0.903
29	Cyprus	0.896
30	Italy	0.895
31	Estonia	0.890
32	Czechia	0.889
33	Greece	0.887
34	Poland	0.876
	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
	...
27	UK	$45 225
28	S. Korea	$44 501
29	New Zealand	$44 057
30	Italy	$42 840
31	Japan	$42 274
32	Israel	$41 524
33	Slovenia	$39 746
34	Bahrain	$39 497
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index₁₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₂
1	Denmark	27.2
2	Norway	29.2
3	Sweden	30.2
	...
17	Australia	42.8
18	Canada	43.1
19	Spain	43.5
20	Italy	44.1
21	Slovenia	45.5
22	Ireland	45.9
23	Portugal	46.1
24	Taiwan	48.2
	Europe Avg	57.3
	World Avg	89.2
q=200.

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. Italy's Demographics and Migration

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

Population Datasets:

Italy's population is predicted to rise to 60.85 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 1.24. 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, once you take mortality into account₁₃. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₄

Population₂
Pos.		2018 Population₂
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
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	53.7m
27	Kenya	51.4m
	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
	...
9	Norway	83.2
10	Spain	83.0
11	Sweden	83.0
12	Italy	82.9
13	Singapore	82.8
14	Iceland	82.7
15	Canada	82.7
16	Luxembourg	82.6
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₅
Pos.		2022₁₅
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
130	Japan	1.26
131	Botswana	2.75
132	Djibouti	2.76
133	Italy	1.24
134	Haiti	2.77
135	Mongolia	2.77
136	Swaziland	2.79
137	Jordan	2.79
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better₁₆
Pos.		2016 Per 100₁₆
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
178	Netherlands	41.9
179	Slovenia	42.7
180	Finland	43.3
181	Hong Kong	43.7
182	Portugal	44.7
183	Germany	47.7
184	Italy	48.6
185	Japan	53.1
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

Migration Datasets:

Immigrants₁₇
Pos.		2017 %₁₇
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
56	Belgium	11.1%
57	Greece	10.9%
58	Malta	10.6%
59	Italy	10.0%
60	Gambia	9.8%
61	Dominica	9.2%
62	Serbia	9.1%
63	Ivory Coast	9.0%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants₁₈
Pos.		2010 %₁₈
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
96	Guatemala	6.1%
97	Brunei	6.0%
98	Netherlands	6.0%
99	Italy	5.8%
100	Benin	5.8%
101	Laos	5.7%
102	Turkey	5.6%
103	Comoros	5.6%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #Italy #italy_freedom #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₁₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₉
1	Sweden	7.5
2	Netherlands	8.6
3	Denmark	9.0
	...
16	UK	26.2
17	Spain	28.7
18	Ireland	29.7
19	Italy	30.0
20	Slovenia	30.5
21	Uruguay	30.8
	Europe Avg	52.39
	World Avg	90.04
q=198.

Italy performs very well in ensuring human rights and freedom compared to most other countries. Italy performs the best in its average Freedom in the World rating. It comes in the best 20 for commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₀, opposing gender inequality₂₁, its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₂ and in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₃. It does better than average for its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₄, combatting modern slavery₂₅, LGBT equality in the 2020s₂₆ and in supporting press freedom₂₇ (but bad for Europe). Italy doesn't do so well in other areas. Italy does worse than average in freethought₂₈. In 2017, "parliament adopted a law finally making torture a crime, but with a definition and statute of limitations that do not meet international standards"₂₉. The United Nations made specific recommendations in 2017 that Italy creates "stronger measures against gender-based violence [and stronger] anti-trafficking mechanisms"₂₉.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

Human Rights and Freedom in Italy

5. Italy's Health

#health

Compared to Europe (2025)₃₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₀
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	San Marino	42.3
	...
11	Switzerland	51.5
12	Finland	52.3
13	Belgium	54.1
14	Italy	57.8
15	Slovenia	61.9
16	Portugal	62.1
17	Spain	62.5
18	Andorra	63.1
19	UK	64.1
	Europe Avg	68.59
q=48.

Health (2025)₃₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₀
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Japan	40.8
	...
16	Belgium	54.1
17	Brunei	54.8
18	Sri Lanka	56.4
19	Italy	57.8
20	Malaysia	59.6
21	Hong Kong	61.0
22	Slovenia	61.9
23	Portugal	62.1
	World Avg	97.39
q=207.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and Japan₃₁. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan₃₁.

42 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, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 and childhood mortality. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₃₁, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Melanesia₃₁.

For more, see:

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

5.1. Health Datasets

#2010s #alcohol #birth_control #demographics #germany #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #smoking #suicide

Italy does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Italy comes in the best 20 when it comes to its average life expectancy₁₁, childhood mortality in the 2020s₃₂ and in its adolescent birth rate₃₃. It does better than average for its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₄, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015₃₅, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s₃₆ and in its suicide rate₃₇. Italy doesn't do so well in other areas. Italy does worse than average in its smoking rate₃₈, its alcohol consumption rate₃₉ (still low for Europe), its fertility rate₁₅ (one of the worst in Europe) and in the prevalence of overweight adults₄₀. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Italy in the 2000s and 2010 was amongst the top 10 in the world, after improving by +6.6yrs in the 30 years from 1990. It had the 2nd-lowest average fertility rate in the world throughout the 1980s (after Germany) and the 3rd-lowest in the 1990s. Its peak fertility rate was 2.66 in 1964.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
9	Norway	83.2
10	Spain	83.0
11	Sweden	83.0
12	Italy	82.9
13	Singapore	82.8
14	Iceland	82.7
15	Canada	82.7
16	Luxembourg	82.6
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better₃₉
Pos.		2016 Per Capita₃₉
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
109	Mongolia	7.4
110=	Albania	7.5
110=	Burundi	7.5
110=	Italy	7.5
110=	Norway	7.5
114	Kazakhstan	7.7
115=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	7.8
115=	Brazil	7.8
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₅
Pos.		2022₁₅
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
130	Japan	1.26
131	Botswana	2.75
132	Djibouti	2.76
133	Italy	1.24
134	Haiti	2.77
135	Mongolia	2.77
136	Swaziland	2.79
137	Jordan	2.79
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better₃₈
Pos.		Smoking in the 2020s %₃₈
1	Nigeria	3.3%
2	Ghana	3.4%
3	Panama	5.2%
	...
99	Albania	22.0%
100	Kazakhstan	22.2%
101	Finland	22.3%
102	Italy	22.5%
103	Samoa	22.6%
104	Vietnam	22.6%
105	Sweden	22.7%
106	Afghanistan	22.7%
	Europe Avg	27.0%
	World Avg	20.0%
q=165. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Suicide Rate in the 2010s Lower is better₃₇
Pos.		Suicide Rate in the 2010s Per 100k₃₇
1=	Jordan	1.00
1=	Sao Tome & Principe	1.00
1=	Antigua & Barbuda	1.00
	...
88	Senegal	6.98
89	Burundi	7.04
90	Guinea-Bissau	7.16
91	Italy	7.17
92	Congo, (Brazzaville)	7.23
93	Turkmenistan	7.27
94	Benin	7.32
95=	Vietnam	7.38
	Europe Avg	12.94
	World Avg	9.24
q=185. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
21	Japan	21
22	Spain	22
23	France	23
24	Italy	24
25	Qatar	25
26	Oman	26
27	Estonia	27
28	Austria	28
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better₄₀
Pos.		1976 %₄₀
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
147	Saudi Arabia	39.4
148=	Iraq	40.0
148=	Venezuela	40.0
148=	Italy	40.0
151=	France	40.4
151=	Argentina	40.4
151=	Chile	40.4
154	Uruguay	40.5
	Europe Avg	38.2
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better₄₁
Pos.		2022 %₄₁
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
82	Tajikistan	20.8%
83	Mauritania	20.8%
84	Montenegro	21.1%
85	Italy	21.6%
86	Solomon Islands	21.6%
87	Pakistan	21.8%
88	Belgium	22.0%
89	Morocco	22.1%
	Europe Avg	25.9%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

5.2. Children's Health Datasets

#children's_health #health #parenting #population #vaccines

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		2022 Per 1000₃₃
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
11	Liechtenstein	3.0
12	Sweden	3.3
13	San Marino	3.7
14	Italy	3.9
15	Finland	4.1
16	Luxembourg	4.2
17	Slovenia	4.4
18	Iceland	5.1
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better₃₆
Pos.		Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Avg %₃₆
1=	Luxembourg	99.0
1=	Oman	99.0
1=	Niue	99.0
	...
87=	Armenia	94.6
88	Kiribati	94.5
89=	Iceland	94.4
89=	Italy	94.4
91	Australia	94.2
92	Palestine	94.0
93	Turks & Caicos Islands	94.0
94	Finland	93.8
	Europe Avg	93.2
	World Avg	88.5
q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) Higher is better₃₅
Pos.		2015 Avg %₃₅
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
83	Lithuania	93.9
84	Estonia	93.9
85	N. Korea	93.8
86	Italy	93.8
87	Austria	93.8
88	Argentina	93.7
89	Bulgaria	93.7
90	Serbia	93.5
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better₃₂
Pos.		Infant Mortality (2020s) Per 1000₃₂
1	San Marino	2.11
2	Finland	2.59
3	Luxembourg	2.60
	...
12	Estonia	3.39
13	Spain	3.42
14=	Monaco	3.55
14=	Italy	3.55
16	S. Korea	3.57
17	Portugal	3.62
18	Andorra	3.69
19	Ireland	3.76
	Europe Avg	6.30
	World Avg	32.19
q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

In the 1990s, Italy was amongst the 10 countries with the lowest adolescent birth rate.

6. Responsibility Towards The Environment

#climate_change #energy #Italy #italy_and_the_environment #Italy_environment #sustainability #the_environment

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)₄₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₂
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
34	Ethiopia	61.7
35	Indonesia	61.9
36	Cameroon	62.6
37	Italy	63.1
38	Jordan	63.1
39	Ireland	63.1
	Europe Avg	82.54
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

Italy is 37th in the world with regard to its responsibility towards the environment. This is computed from 21 data sets. Italy comes in the best 20 when it comes to its score on the Green Future Index₄₃ and in its environmental performance₄₄. It does better than average when it comes to its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₅, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₆, energy to GDP efficiency₄₇ and in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. But, there's bad news too. Italy does worse than average when it comes to reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₈.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

Italy's Responsibility Towards The Environment

7. Italy's Modernity and Learning

#education #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2025)₄₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₉
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
17	Slovenia	24.8
18	Portugal	25.5
19	Poland	26.2
20	Italy	27.5
21	Monaco	30.0
22	Slovakia	30.0
23	Latvia	30.1
24	Liechtenstein	31.7
25	Kosovo	31.9
	Europe Avg	34.74
q=48.

Modernity & Learning (2025)₄₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₉
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
22	Poland	26.2
23	Australia	26.8
24	Japan	27.4
25	Italy	27.5
26	Hong Kong	27.8
27	Canada	28.7
28	Monaco	30.0
29	Slovakia	30.0
	World Avg	84.96
q=197.

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, Iceland and Denmark₅₀. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia₅₀. 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

27 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Intellectual Endeavours, metric system adoption rate, Religiosity, IQ, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Maths, Science & Reading, 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).

7.1. Modernity Datasets

#intelligence #metric #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.29₅₃
2	Israel	4.11₅₃
3	Japan	3.58₅₃
	...
23	Ireland	1.52₅₃
24	Estonia	1.43₅₃
25	Hungary	1.37₅₃
26	Italy	1.29₅₃
27	Portugal	1.28₅₃
28	Luxembourg	1.26₅₃
29	Spain	1.22₅₃
30	Russia	1.19₅₃
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
38	USA	38
39	Portugal	39
40	Spain	40
41	Italy	41
42	Slovakia	42
43	Marshall Islands	43
44	S. Korea	44
45	Morocco	45
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better₅₄
Pos.		2025 %₅₄
1=	Slovakia	100
1=	Poland	100
1=	Portugal	100
	...
10=	Spain	100
10=	Sweden	100
10=	Switzerland	100
10=	Italy	100
10=	Vatican City	100
10=	Hungary	100
10=	Germany	100
10=	New Zealand	100
	Europe Avg	97
	World Avg	92
q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Italy officially adopted metric in 1863₅₅. Progression:

1960 (100%): Fully metric; complete official use.
1970 (100%).
1980 (100%).
2000 (100%).
2025 (100%).

Religiosity Lower is better₅₆
Pos.		2018 %₅₆
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
22=	Bulgaria	19
22=	Norway	19
24	Netherlands	20
25=	Italy	21
25=	Belarus	21
27=	Ireland	22
27=	Kazakhstan	22
27=	Spain	22
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better₅₇
Pos.		2006₅₇
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
4=	Japan	105
4=	Taiwan	105
4=	China	105
7	Italy	102
8=	Iceland	101
8=	Switzerland	101
8=	Mongolia	101
11=	Netherlands	100
11=	Norway	100
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

7.2. Education Datasets

#education #english #maths #science

Secondary Education Higher is better₅₈
Pos.		2018₅₈
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
58	Malaysia	80.8%
59	Cyprus	80.3%
60	Singapore	79.6%
61	Italy	79.6%
62	Hong Kong	79.4%
63	Chile	79.3%
64	China	78.6%
65	Belize	78.6%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better₅₉
Pos.		2021 Years₅₉
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
29	Bahrain	16.3
30	Lithuania	16.3
31	USA	16.3
32	Italy	16.2
33	Czechia	16.2
34	Latvia	16.2
35	Saudi Arabia	16.1
36	Israel	16.1
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better₆₀
Pos.		2015 Score₆₀
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
30	Czechia	1472
31	USA	1463
32	Latvia	1460
33	Italy	1456
34	Luxembourg	1450
35	Iceland	1443
36	Croatia	1426
37	Lithuania	1425
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

7.3. Technology and Information Datasets

#it_security #modernity #politics #technology #the_internet

Internet Users (2020s) Higher is better
Pos.		Internet Users (2020s)
1=	Iceland	99%
1=	Kuwait	99%
1=	UAE	99%
	...
77	Croatia	82%
78	Nauru	82%
79	Dominica	81%
80	Italy	81%
81	China	80%
82	Uzbekistan	80%
83	Kyrgyzstan	80%
84	Ukraine	80%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	67.8%
q=188. Also scored for 1990s-2020s.

Freedom On The Internet Lower is better₆₁
Pos.		2012₆₁
1	Estonia	10
2	USA	12
3	Germany	15
4	Australia	18
5	Hungary	19
6=	Philippines	23
6=	Italy	23
8	UK	25
9=	S. Africa	26
9=	Argentina	26
11=	Ukraine	27
11=	Brazil	27
	Europe Avg	31.4
	World Avg	46.7
q=47.

IT Security Lower is better₆₂
Pos.		2013₆₂
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
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
54	Azerbaijan	1.21
	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
	...
41	Sri Lanka	2.9
42	Latvia	2.2
43	Israel	1.8
44	Italy	1.7
45	Argentina	1.4
46	Faroe Islands	1.4
47	Russia	1.3
48	Bulgaria	1.3
	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%
	...
23	Israel	65.4%
24	Norway	64.5%
25	Canada	63.4%
26	Italy	63.3%
27	Czechia	63.2%
28	Latvia	63.2%
29	Portugal	62.8%
30	Slovenia	62.3%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. Italy's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#charitability #culture #equality #human_development #inequality #peace

Compared to Europe (2025)₆₅
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₆₅
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
18	Spain	36.9
19	Portugal	38.1
20	Hungary	38.3
21	Italy	39.3
22	Cyprus	40.0
23	Poland	41.2
24	Estonia	41.4
25	Slovakia	43.0
26	Croatia	51.6
	Europe Avg	46.24
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2025)₆₅
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₆₅
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
24	Spain	36.9
25	Portugal	38.1
26	Hungary	38.3
27	Italy	39.3
28	Cyprus	40.0
29	USA	40.1
30	Poland	41.2
31	Estonia	41.4
	World Avg	80.47
q=183.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 39 datasets, including multiple decades of data on resisting corruption, Creativity and Culture, overall happiness, Open Trading, Aid and Development, passport utility (so far), personal financial stability, World Giving Index, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, poverty (so far), life expectancy inequality, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

"Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2026).

8.1. National Culture Datasets

#charity #corruption #freedom #happiness #internationalism #italy #morals #politics

Corruption Higher is better₆₆
Pos.		2022 Points₆₆
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
40	Qatar	58.0
41=	Czechia	56.0
41=	Georgia	56.0
41=	Italy	56.0
41=	Slovenia	56.0
45=	Dominica	55.0
45=	Poland	55.0
45=	St Lucia	55.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Thoughout the 2010s, Italy made serious improvements to its Corruption Perception Index score (+11), sitting amongst the top 10 best-improvers that decade.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
23	Lithuania	23
24	St Lucia	24
25	Canada	25
26	Italy	26
27	Mauritius	27
28	Malta	28
29	Singapore	29
30	Spain	30
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Happiness Higher is better₆₇
Pos.		2024 Score₆₇
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
37	El Salvador	6.5
38	Spain	6.5
39	Estonia	6.4
40	Italy	6.4
41	Panama	6.4
42	Argentina	6.4
43	Kazakhstan	6.4
44	Guatemala	6.4
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147. Also scored for 2010s.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
33	Mongolia	33
34	Spain	34
35	UK	35
36	Italy	36
37	Estonia	37
38	Cyprus	38
39	Bulgaria	39
40	Turkey	40
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better₆₈
Pos.		Passport Reach (2020s) Q₆₈
1	Singapore	192.2
2	Japan	192.0
3	S. Korea	190.7
4	Germany	190.3
5	Spain	189.8
6	Italy	189.7
7	Finland	189.5
8	Luxembourg	189.3
9=	Denmark	188.7
9=	Austria	188.7
11	France	188.5
12=	Netherlands	188.3
	Europe Avg	160.7
	World Avg	108.8
q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Higher is better₆₉
Pos.		Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Score₆₉
1	Denmark	9.06
2	Switzerland	9.00
3	Finland	8.96
	...
28	Costa Rica	8.00
29	Cyprus	7.97
30	Estonia	7.94
31	Italy	7.86
32	Israel	7.85
33	Slovenia	7.83
34	UAE	7.79
35	Latvia	7.76
	Europe Avg	7.65
	World Avg	6.46
q=165.

World Giving Index Higher is better₇₀
Pos.		2022 %₇₀
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
111=	Algeria	30.0
112=	Pakistan	29.0
112=	Latvia	29.0
112=	Italy	29.0
112=	Armenia	29.0
116	Tunisia	28.0
117	Laos	27.0
118	Portugal	26.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125. Also scored for 2010s.

8.2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets

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

Global Peace Index Lower is better₇₁
Pos.		2023 Score₇₁
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
31=	Spain	1.65
31=	Romania	1.65
31=	Taiwan	1.65
34	Italy	1.66
35	Kuwait	1.67
36	Lithuania	1.67
37	UK	1.69
38	Macedonia	1.71
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163. Also scored for 2010s.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
52	Finland	52
53	France	53
54	Australia	54
55	Italy	55
56	Mauritius	56
57	Zambia	57
58	Romania	58
59	Vietnam	59
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
11	Canada	11
12	UK	12
13	Belgium	13
14	Italy	14
15	Spain	15
16	France	16
17	Cyprus	17
18	Slovenia	18
	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
	...
85	Rwanda	2.95
86	Nicaragua	2.95
87	Jordan	3.09
88	Italy	3.11
89	Paraguay	3.12
90	Bahrain	3.20
91	Tanzania	3.27
92	Spain	3.35
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

8.3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets

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

Poverty (2020s) Lower is better₇₃
Pos.		Poverty (2020s) %₇₃
1	Malaysia	0.01%
2	Bhutan	0.01%
3	Cyprus	0.02%
	...
39	Greece	0.75%
40	Sweden	0.80%
41	Spain	0.84%
42	Italy	0.84%
43	Turkey	0.87%
44	USA	0.87%
45	Australia	0.99%
46	Bulgaria	1.00%
	Europe Avg	1.20%
	World Avg	11.40%
q=106. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better₇₄
Pos.		2019₇₄
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
10=	S. Korea	3.00
10=	Spain	3.00
12=	Netherlands	3.10
12=	Italy	3.10
14	Israel	3.30
15=	Luxembourg	3.40
15=	Ireland	3.40
17=	Portugal	3.50
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better₇₅
Pos.		2023 %₇₅
1	Slovakia	24.1%₇₆
2	Slovenia	24.3%₇₆
3	Belarus	24.4%₇₇
	...
78	Benin	34.4%₇₆
79	Portugal	34.6%₇₆
80=	Iran	34.8%₇₈
80=	Italy	34.8%₇₆
82	Thailand	34.9%₇₆
83	Ethiopia	35.0%₇₉
84=	Russia	35.1%₇₆
84=	Nigeria	35.1%₈₀
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s.

9. Religion and Beliefs

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

Religiosity (2018)₅₆
Pos.		Lower is better %₅₆
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
22=	Bulgaria	19
22=	Norway	19
24	Netherlands	20
25=	Italy	21
25=	Belarus	21
27=	Ireland	22
27=	Kazakhstan	22
27=	Spain	22
30=	Slovakia	23
30=	Ukraine	23
32	Canada	27
33=	Uzbekistan	29
33=	Uruguay	29
35	Poland	30
36	Serbia	34
37=	Israel	36
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)₈₁
Pos.		Higher is better %₈₁
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
46=	Kyrgyzstan	7
46=	Cambodia	7
48=	Moldova	6
48=	Italy	6
50=	Laos	5
50=	Ireland	5
50=	Mozambique	5
53=	Zimbabwe	4
53=	Namibia	4
53=	Iran	4
53=	Mexico	4
53=	Portugal	4
53=	Romania	4
53=	Argentina	4
53=	Georgia	4
53=	Uzbekistan	4
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Pew Forum polling over the decades has found the following adherency rates:₈₂:

	2010	2020
Christian	88.5%	80.5%
Unaffiliated	6.74%	13.3%
Muslim	3.42%	4.42%
Other	0.557%	0.726%
Buddhist	0.418%	0.614%
Hindu	0.3%	0.426%
Jewish	<0.1%	<0.1%

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 86.7% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 21% 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: Christian 80% (overwhelming Roman Catholic with very small groups of Jehova Witnesses and Protestants), Muslims NEGL (about 700,000 but growing), Atheists and Agnostics 20%₈₃.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Italy₈₄. Despite the large numbers of Christians, not many have traditional beliefs in the afterlife - just 21%. More people don't know what to believe (25%). Some believe that upon death, you simply cease to exist (24%). Also, 2% specifically believe in heaven but not in hell (which is nice - making them possible "universalists"). 4% believe in reincarnation.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: Italian law has a definite bias towards Catholic Christianity₈₅. Although the constitution protects freedom of religion and belief, blasphemy laws are specifically used to the favour of Christians, and the education system is somewhat biased - all classrooms in state schools must display crucifixes, for example₈₅, which can only ever entrench prejudice and discrimination at the social level.

Links: