The Human Truth Foundation

Ukraine

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

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#ukraine

UkraineFlag
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index66th best
CapitalKiev
Land Area 579 320km21
LocationEurope
Population44.2m2
Life Expectancy71.62yrs (2017)3
GNI$13 256 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesUA, UKR, 8045
Internet Domain.ua6
CurrencyHryvnia (UAH)7
Telephone+3808

1. Overview

#russia

Ukraine was the center of the first eastern Slavic state, Kyivan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol invasions, Kyivan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The cultural and religious legacy of Kyivan Rus laid the foundation for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. A new Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the mid-17th century after an uprising against the Poles. Despite continuous Muscovite pressure, the Hetmanate managed to remain autonomous for well over 100 years. During the latter part of the 18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire. Following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine was able to achieve a short-lived period of independence (1917-20), but was reconquered and forced to endure a brutal Soviet rule that engineered two forced famines (1921-22 and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died. In World War II, German and Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 to 8 million more deaths. Although final independence for Ukraine was achieved in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, democracy and prosperity remained elusive as the legacy of state control and endemic corruption stalled efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties. A peaceful mass protest "Orange Revolution" in the closing months of 2004 forced the authorities to overturn a rigged presidential election and to allow a new internationally monitored vote that swept into power a reformist slate under Viktor YUSHCHENKO. Subsequent internal squabbles in the YUSHCHENKO camp allowed his rival Viktor YANUKOVYCH to stage a comeback in parliamentary elections and become prime minister in August of 2006. An early legislative election, brought on by a political crisis in the spring of 2007, saw Yuliya TYMOSHENKO, as head of an "Orange" coalition, installed as a new prime minister in December 2007. Viktor YANUKOVUYCH was elected president in a February 2010 run-off election that observers assessed as meeting most international standards. The following month, Ukraine's parliament, the Rada, approved a vote of no-confidence prompting Yuliya TYMOSHENKO to resign from her post as prime minister. In October 2012, Ukraine held Rada elections, widely criticized by Western observers as flawed due to use of government resources to favor ruling party candidates, interference with media access, and harassment of opposition candidates.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverBig, diverse and largely undiscovered, Ukraine is one of Europe´s last genuine travel frontiers, a poor nation rich in colourful tradition, warm-hearted people and off-the-map experiences. Ukraine is big. In fact it´s Europe´s biggest country (not counting Russia, which isn´t entirely in Europe) and packs a lot of diversity into its borders. You can be clambering around the Carpathians in search of Hutsul festivities, sipping Eastern Europe´s best coffee in sophisticated Lviv and partying on Odessa´s beaches, all in a few days.

A diverse landscape obviously throws up a whole bunch of outdoorsy activities. How about mountain biking or hill walking in the Carpathians, bird spotting in the Danube Delta or water sports on the Kyiv Sea? Many Ukrainians love nothing more than wandering their country´s vast forests, foraging for berries and mushrooms or picnicking by a meandering river.

History is all around you wherever you go in this vast land, whether it be among the Gothic churches of Lviv, the Stalinist facades of Kyiv, the remnants of the once-animated Jewish culture of West Ukraine or the more recent Soviet high-rises just about anywhere. After the latest political turmoils, this divided nation faces an uncertain future but its people share one thing: a talent for survival.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Ukraine National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
...
74Bosnia & Herzegovina0.780
75St Kitts & Nevis0.777
76Iran0.774
77Ukraine0.773
78Macedonia0.770
79China0.768
80=Moldova0.767
80=Palau0.767
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
...
86Palau$13 819
87Grenada$13 484
88Gabon$13 367
89Ukraine$13 256
90Armenia$13 158
91Turkmenistan$13 021
92Iran$13 001
93S. Africa$12 948
Europe Avg$40 512
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Denmark27.0
2Norway29.9
3Sweden31.8
...
63Dominica77.7
64Andorra77.8
65Georgia78.0
66Ukraine78.3
67Mexico78.4
68Ecuador78.6
69Northern Cyprus79.1
70Turkey79.2
Europe Avg55.7
World Avg88.6
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. Ukraine's Demographics and Migration

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

Population:

Ukraine's population is predicted to fall to 40 515 000 by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 1.27. 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
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
29Colombia49.7m
30Spain46.7m
31Argentina44.4m
32Ukraine44.2m
33Uganda42.7m
34Algeria42.2m
35Sudan41.8m
36Iraq38.4m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
97Bulgaria71.8
98Georgia71.7
99St Kitts & Nevis71.7
100Ukraine71.6
101Bahamas71.6
102Tajikistan71.6
103Seychelles71.3
104St Lucia71.1
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.202214
1US Virgin Islands2.00
2Ecuador2.00
3Nepal2.01
...
125Syria2.70
126Philippines2.73
127Lithuania1.27
128Ukraine1.27
129Poland1.26
130Japan1.26
131Botswana2.75
132Djibouti2.76
World Avg2.47
q=208.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
15
Pos.2016
Per 10015
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
141Georgia29.7
142Montenegro30.0
143Belarus30.3
144Ukraine30.8
145Australia31.3
146Slovakia31.6
147Albania31.8
148Norway32.2
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.2017
%16
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
52Denmark11.5%
53Belarus11.4%
54Montenegro11.3%
55Ukraine11.2%
56Belgium11.1%
57Greece10.9%
58Malta10.6%
59Italy10.0%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants17
Pos.2010
%17
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
43Equatorial Guinea14.9%
44Seychelles14.6%
45New Zealand14.5%
46Ukraine14.4%
47Israel14.0%
48Swaziland13.4%
49Lithuania13.2%
50Romania13.1%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance #ukraine #ukraine_human_rights

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank18
1Sweden6.1
2Denmark8.6
3Norway9.0
...
48Brazil60.3
49Romania61.3
50Andorra61.5
51Ukraine63.6
52Serbia63.7
53Mauritius63.7
Europe Avg47.37
World Avg86.55
q=199.
Ukraine does relatively well in ensuring human rights and freedom, compared to many other countries. Ukraine does better than average when it comes to its nominal commitment to Human Rights19, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)20 (but bad for Europe), commentary in Human Rights Watch reports21 (but low for Europe), freethought22, opposing gender inequality23 (but high for Europe), supporting press freedom24 (but low for Europe) and in LGBT equality25 (but low for Europe). But, things could still be better. Ukraine does worse than average in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice26, its average Freedom in the World rating, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms27 (amongst the worst in Europe) and in eliminating modern slavery28.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Ukraine's Health

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

Compared to Europe (2025)29
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank29
1Monaco14.3
2Liechtenstein30.1
3Isle of Man32.1
...
44Latvia76.0
45Turkey78.6
46Bulgaria82.8
47Belarus83.7
48Romania84.0
49Moldova85.0
50Azerbaijan86.0
51Kosovo86.4
52Ukraine89.6
Europe Avg86.87
q=52.
Health (2025)29
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank29
1Monaco14.3
2Liechtenstein30.1
3Isle of Man32.1
...
101Iran88.6
102St Kitts & Nevis88.9
103St Vincent & Grenadines89.3
104Ukraine89.6
105Kazakhstan90.7
106Morocco91.9
107Uzbekistan92.2
108Indonesia93.4
World Avg96.74
q=212.

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 Man30. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria30.

21 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, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans30, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia30.

For more, see:

Health:

Ukraine is a pretty unhealthy country. Ukraine does better than average in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance31 (but bad for Europe) and in its adolescent birth rate32 (but bad for Europe). But unfortunately Ukraine gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average in its average life expectancy11 (one of the worst in Europe), its fertility rate14 and in its alcohol consumption rate33 (still low for Europe). And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 in its suicide rate34, its smoking rate35 and in its immunizations take-up36 (the lowest in Europe). The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Ukraine improved by +4.7yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Ukraine has had a long-term consistent fertility rate, and is one of only 22 countries to vary by less than 1.0 each decade since the 1960s. Its peak fertility rate was 2.24 in 1960.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
97Bulgaria71.8
98Georgia71.7
99St Kitts & Nevis71.7
100Ukraine71.6
101Bahamas71.6
102Tajikistan71.6
103Seychelles71.3
104St Lucia71.1
Europe Avg78.36
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
33
Pos.2016
Per Capita33
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
127=Botswana8.4
127=Trinidad & Tobago8.4
127=Vietnam8.4
130Ukraine8.6
131Netherlands8.7
132=Croatia8.9
132=Cameroon8.9
132=Canada8.9
Europe Avg10.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.202214
1US Virgin Islands2.00
2Ecuador2.00
3Nepal2.01
...
125Syria2.70
126Philippines2.73
127Lithuania1.27
128Ukraine1.27
129Poland1.26
130Japan1.26
131Botswana2.75
132Djibouti2.76
Europe Avg1.53
World Avg2.47
q=208.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
35
Pos.201435
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
162Japan1 713
163Hungary1 759
164Estonia1 775
165Ukraine1 854
166Jordan1 855
167Austria1 988
168S. Korea2 073
169Greece2 086
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate34
Pos.2013
Per 100k34
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
79Finland39
80Belgium39.1
81Slovenia44
82Ukraine44.8
83Latvia48.2
84Japan49.4
85Hungary50.6
86=Kazakhstan52.4
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
...
52Slovakia52
53Bulgaria53
54Panama54
55Ukraine55
56S. Africa56
57Slovenia57
58Morocco58
59Cyprus59
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better
37
Pos.2016
%37
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
122Nicaragua58.2
123=Norway58.3
123=Poland58.3
125Ukraine58.4
126=Cuba58.5
126=Italy58.5
128Luxembourg58.7
129Panama58.8
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
32
Pos.2022
Per 100032
1Hong Kong1.6
2Denmark1.8
3S. Korea2.1
...
58Albania14.5
59Russia14.5
60USA15.1
61Ukraine15.2
62Sri Lanka15.4
63Turkey15.7
64Uzbekistan15.7
65Macedonia16.1
Europe Avg11.4
World Avg43.8
q=195.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
36
Pos.2015
Avg %36
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
185Vanuatu65.5
186Guinea63.3
187Syria62.4
188Ukraine55.2
189Chad52.5
190Nigeria50.0
191Central African Rep.49.4
192Somalia46.0
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Ukraine's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #environmentalism #food #france #internationalism #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #ukraine #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2025)38
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank38
1Switzerland45.0
2Denmark50.4
3Liechtenstein56.8
...
34=Monaco92.1
34=Moldova92.1
36Malta92.2
37Ukraine94.8
38=Iceland96.9
39Estonia97.0
40Montenegro97.3
41Azerbaijan101.2
42Bosnia & Herzegovina103.5
Europe Avg86.45
q=48.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)38
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank38
1Sri Lanka34.9
2Uruguay43.2
3Switzerland45.0
...
135Qatar94.1
136Liberia94.2
137Trinidad & Tobago94.5
138Ukraine94.8
139Saudi Arabia94.9
140Israel95.8
141Tonga96.1
142=St Kitts & Nevis96.9
World Avg84.93
q=199.

All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

Ukraine ranks 138th in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 7 data sets. Ukraine comes in the best 20 for its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. It does better than average in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population39, its forested percent change 2000-202040 and in reducing annual meat consumption per person41. But, things still need to improve in Ukraine. Ukraine does worse than average when it comes to its score on the Green Future Index42 (one of the worst in Europe) and in its environmental performance43 (one of the lowest in Europe). And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in terms of energy to GDP efficiency44 (amongst the highest in Europe).

Forest Area Change 2000-2020
Higher is better
40
Pos.Total40
1Guernsey82.6%
2Bahrain75.2%
3Iceland64.7%
...
66Luxembourg2.3%
67Georgia2.2%
68USA2.1%
69Ukraine1.9%
70Australia1.7%
71Austria1.6%
72Czechia1.5%
73Slovakia1.3%
Europe Avg8.2%
World Avg-0.1%
q=234.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
43
Pos.201843
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
106El Salvador53.9
107Fiji53.1
108Turkey53.0
109Ukraine52.9
110Guatemala52.3
111Maldives52.1
112Moldova52.0
113Botswana51.7
Europe Avg69.6
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Lower is better44
Pos.2022
Avg44
1Rwanda0.25
2Chad0.26
3Tanzania0.31
...
147Libya2.05
148Singapore2.06
149Lebanon2.06
150Ukraine2.11
151Syria2.12
152Kyrgyzstan2.20
153Iran2.24
154Russia2.25
Europe Avg1.25
World Avg1.23
q=165.
From the 2000s to the 2010s, Ukraine was amongst the 10 countries who improved their energy-to-GDP efficiency the most.
International Accords on the Environment
Higher is better
Pos.Total
Avg Rate
1Sweden83%
2Canada82%
3Norway81%
4Latvia81%
5Estonia80%
6Ukraine80%
7Finland79%
8Georgia79%
9Switzerland78%
10Nigeria78%
11Germany76%
12Belarus76%
Europe Avg62.7%
World Avg57.5%
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better39
Pos.2011
%39
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
59Burundi42.0%
60Zambia41.9%
61Singapore41.6%
62Ukraine41.5%
63Jordan41.4%
64India41.2%
65Canada41.2%
66Serbia41.1%
Europe Avg33.6%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
41
Pos.2021
kg41
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
84Bosnia & Herzegovina46.8
85Chad47.1
86Oman48.0
87Ukraine48.5
88Cuba49.6
89Libya50.0
90Ecuador50.9
91Albania52.0
Europe Avg71.1
World Avg52.5
q=185.
Green Future Index
Higher is better
42
Pos.2023
Score42
1Iceland6.7
2Finland6.7
3Norway6.4
...
44=Australia4.6
45Taiwan4.5
46=Mexico4.5
47Ukraine4.4
48Argentina4.3
49Indonesia4.3
50India4.3
51Nigeria4.2
Europe Avg5.6
World Avg4.8
q=76.

The 2023 edition of the Green Futures Index noted that Ukraine's nuclear contribution to its energy sector was very high, helping it avoid harmful carbon emissions (only France done better)45.

7. Ukraine's Modernity and Learning

#azerbaijan #capitalism #charity #corruption #economics #education #extremism #france #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #intelligence #it_security #life_expectancy #modernity #morals #NATO #peace #politics #poverty #religion #religiosity #religious_violence #research #russia #science #secularisation #slovenia #social_development #technology #terrorism #the_internet #UK #ukraine #USA

Compared to Europe (2020)46
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank46
1Finland7.1
2Belgium12.9
3Denmark13.6
...
25Greece36.3
26Slovakia42.9
27Malta45.9
28Ukraine47.7
29Bulgaria47.8
30Croatia47.8
31Liechtenstein48.8
32Romania51.0
33Belarus51.5
Europe Avg39.81
q=45.
Modernity & Learning (2020)46
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank46
1Finland7.1
2Belgium12.9
3Denmark13.6
...
39Malta45.9
40Barbados47.4
41Palau47.4
42Ukraine47.7
43Bulgaria47.8
44Croatia47.8
45Liechtenstein48.8
46St Kitts & Nevis48.8
World Avg86.31
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 Denmark47. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone47. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots48.

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)49

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 Europe47, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia47.

For more, see:

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2950
2Israel4.1150
3Japan3.5850
...
40India0.8251
41Croatia0.8152
42Kenya0.7953
43Ukraine0.7652
44=Morocco0.7353
44=S. Africa0.7354
44=Serbia0.7352
44=Hong Kong0.7354
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
55
Pos.201855
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
27S. Korea95.2%
28Bulgaria95.1%
29Lithuania94.9%
30Ukraine94.6%
31Tonga93.7%
32Japan93.6%
33Tajikistan93.1%
34Barbados92.9%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
56
Pos.2021
Years56
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
...
60Montenegro15.1
61Hungary15.0
62Mongolia15.0
63Ukraine15.0
64Bolivia14.9
65Mexico14.9
66Fiji14.7
67St Vincent & Grenadines14.7
Europe Avg16.1
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
4Denmark4
5UK5
6Austria6
7Finland7
8Netherlands8
9Belgium9
10Slovenia10
11Switzerland11
12New Zealand12
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Religiosity
Lower is better
57
Pos.2018
%57
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
28=Kazakhstan22
28=Spain22
30Slovakia23
31=Ukraine23
32Canada27
33=Uzbekistan29
33=Uruguay29
35Poland30
Europe Avg25.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ
Higher is better58
Pos.200658
1=Hong Kong108
1=Singapore108
3S. Korea106
...
29=USA98
29=Latvia98
29=Hungary98
32Ukraine97
33=Russia97
33=Belarus97
35Moldova96
36=Uruguay96
Europe Avg96.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
59
Pos.201659
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
109Mexico45%
110=Kenya45%
110=Belize45%
112Ukraine44%
113Philippines44%
114Jamaica43%
115Ecuador43%
116Thailand43%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
Freedom On The Internet
Lower is better
60
Pos.201260
1Estonia10
2USA12
3Germany15
...
8UK25
9=S. Africa26
9=Argentina26
11Ukraine27
12=Brazil27
13Kenya29
14Georgia30
15Nigeria33
Europe Avg31.4
World Avg46.7
q=47.
IT Security
Lower is better
61
Pos.201361
1=Ireland0.11
1=Luxembourg0.11
1=Belize0.11
...
61UK1.34
62Mongolia1.42
63Uganda1.44
64Ukraine1.44
65Nepal1.45
66Afghanistan1.45
67Germany1.46
68Netherlands1.47
Europe Avg0.80
World Avg0.98
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
62
Pos.2017
Ratio62
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
...
68S. Africa0.1
69Jersey0.1
70=Sudan0.1
70=Ukraine0.1
72Lithuania0.1
73Vanuatu0.1
74=Iran0.1
74=Zambia0.1
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.
Digital Quality of Life
Higher is better
63
Pos.202463
1Germany77.9%
2Finland76.9%
3France73.9%
...
44Chile55.0%
45China54.8%
46Uruguay54.8%
47Ukraine54.4%
48Serbia53.5%
49Turkey52.2%
50Russia52.1%
51Thailand51.4%
Europe Avg61.0%
World Avg48.4%
q=121.

National Culture:

World Giving Index
Higher is better
64
Pos.2022
%64
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
7=Sierra Leone51.0
7=Canada51.0
9Zambia50.0
10=Ukraine49.0
10=Ireland49.0
12Czechia48.0
13=Nigeria48.0
13=Thailand48.0
Europe Avg39.0
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
65
Pos.2022
Points65
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
...
113Indonesia34.0
114=Bosnia & Herzegovina34.0
114=Nepal34.0
116Ukraine33.0
117=Mongolia33.0
117=El Salvador33.0
117=Zambia33.0
117=Algeria33.0
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
q=180.

In 2000, Ukraine was perceived as being the 3rd-most-corrupt country in the world (after Azerbaijan).

Happiness
Higher is better
66
Pos.2024
Score66
1Finland7.7
2Denmark7.5
3Iceland7.5
...
108Palestine4.8
109Pakistan4.8
110Niger4.7
111Ukraine4.7
112Morocco4.6
113Tunisia4.6
114Mauritania4.5
115Kenya4.5
Europe Avg6.37
World Avg5.58
q=147.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
59Uruguay59
60Samoa60
61Montenegro61
62Ukraine62
63Israel63
64Mexico64
65S. Africa65
66Lebanon66
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
...
69New Zealand69
70Tunisia70
71Montenegro71
72Ukraine72
73Chile73
74Macedonia74
75Oman75
76Dominican Rep.76
Europe Avg42.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

Peace Versus Instability:

Russia has been disrupting and funding sectarian violence in Ukraine for over a decade, with the policy of Russian President Putin being that Ukrainians and Russians are 'one people'. Trying to justify his invasions has meant a long-term series of heavy misinformation campaigns that have served to dehumanize Ukranians, and heavy censorship has hid the truth of Russian aggression from many Russian citizens.

The events of early 2025 have proven that Russian misinformation permeated the USA's right-wing communities and its Republican Party, leading to President Trump vocally and frequently repeating Russian propaganda until the USA in March 2025, withdrew its support of Ukraine's self-defence.

A few European countries had already openly declared that they won't rule out sending troops to help Ukraine; the UK and France67 being the most prominent, along with some Baltic states. They propose a 'coalition of the willing' to enforce any future peace deal, with their aim (along with that of NATO) being to raise a stronger deterrent against future Russia military aggression against European countries.

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
68
Pos.2023
Score68
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
154Iraq3.01
155Sudan3.02
156Somalia3.04
157Ukraine3.04
158Russia3.14
159Congo, DR3.21
160S. Sudan3.22
161Syria3.29
Europe Avg1.70
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
105Laos105
106Mozambique106
107Poland107
108Ukraine108
109Belgium109
110Panama110
111Equatorial Guinea111
112Botswana112
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
...
54Macedonia54
55Zambia55
56Lithuania56
57Ukraine57
58Croatia58
59Bangladesh59
60Seychelles60
61Philippines61
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
69
Pos.2019
Score69
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
124Burkina Faso5.42
125Myanmar (Burma)5.51
126Mozambique5.54
127Ukraine5.55
128Niger5.60
129USA5.69
130Kenya5.76
131Sudan5.81
Europe Avg1.62
World Avg2.78
q=150.

Economic Inequality and Poverty:

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better70
Pos.201970
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
...
58Russia7.10
59Albania7.20
60=Lebanon7.40
60=Ukraine7.40
62Brunei7.60
63Kazakhstan7.70
64=Macedonia7.90
64=Uruguay7.90
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better
71
Pos.2023
%71
1Slovakia24.1%72
2Slovenia24.3%72
3Belarus24.4%73
4Ukraine25.6%73
5=Moldova25.7%72
5=Netherlands25.7%72
7Iceland26.1%74
8Czechia26.2%72
9=Kyrgyzstan26.4%75
9=UAE26.4%76
11Syria26.6%75
12=Azerbaijan26.6%77
Europe Avg30.7%
World Avg36.5%
q=167.

Ukraine had the 2nd-lowest income inequality in the world in the 2010s, almost as good as Slovenia.

Multidimensional Poverty
Lower is better
78
Pos.2018
Severity78
1Armenia.001
2Ukraine.001
3Serbia.001
4Turkmenistan.001
5Jordan.002
6Kazakhstan.002
7Montenegro.002
8Trinidad & Tobago.002
9Maldives.003
10Albania.003
11Thailand.003
12Moldova.004
Europe Avg.004
World Avg.154
q=101.

8. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #germany #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #russia #secularisation #ukraine

Religiosity (2018)57
Pos.Lower is better
%57
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
28=Kazakhstan22
28=Spain22
30Slovakia23
31=Ukraine23
32Canada27
33=Uzbekistan29
33=Uruguay29
35Poland30
36Serbia34
37=Israel36
37=Portugal36
39Azerbaijan38
40Chile41
41=Croatia42
41=Moldova42
43Argentina43
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)79
Pos.Higher is better
%79
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
...
22=New Zealand22
22=Canada22
24Latvia20
25=Ukraine20
25=Mongolia20
27Austria18
28=Slovakia17
28=Switzerland17
28=Belarus17
31Greece16
32=Iceland16
33Spain15
34=Israel15
35Armenia14
36=Lithuania13
36=Singapore13
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 below80:

Christian83.8%
Muslim1.2%
Hindu0.1%
Buddhist0.1%
Folk Religion0.1%
Jewish0.1%
Unaffiliated14.7%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 85.1% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (20%). 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 85.4% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 23% 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: Ukrainian Orthodox - Kyiv Patriarchate 50.4%, Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate 26.1%, Ukrainian Greek Catholic 8%, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox 7.2%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Protestant 2.2%, Jewish 0.6%, other 3.2% (2006 est.)81.

The Ukrainian government does better than Russia when it comes to secularism; "There is no parallel to the united and dominant Russian Orthodox Church, or to the support given to the latter by the Russian government. The Ukrainian government is religiously neutral, allowing an efflorescence of religious pluralism"82. Although many folk do declare themselves to belong to a religious denomination, 62% also say that they're not religious when asked in opinion-polls82.

The sociologist of religion, Peter L. Berger, sheds some light on the differences between some of the Ukrainian denominations:

The majority is Orthodox, but split into three mutually hostile factions: the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Autocephalous Church. Please do not count on me to explain all these differences, except that the split is politically significant in terms of pro-Russian versus pro-Western groups. There are Uniats (who practice eastern rites but recognize the primacy of Rome) and also standard Roman Catholics, especially in the western part of Ukraine.

"Religion and Other Curiosities" by Peter L. Berger (2012)82

Although a shameful number of Ukrainians collaborated with the German Nazi regime during the Holocaust of the 1940s, in modern times there is now (thankfully) "a significant renascence of Jewish culture"83.

Links: