The Human Truth Foundation

Albania (Republic of Albania)

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

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

Albania
Republic of Albania
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index51st best
CapitalTirana
Land Area 27 400km21
LocationEurope, The Balkans, The Mediterranean
Population2.9m2
Life Expectancy76.46yrs (2017)3
GNI$14 131 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesAL, ALB, 85
Internet Domain.al6
CurrencyLek (ALL)7
Telephone+3558

1. Overview

Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, dilapidated infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997; however, each of Albania's post-Communist elections have been marred by claims of electoral fraud. The 2009 general elections resulted in a coalition government, the first such in the country's history. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and is a potential candidate for EU accession. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverWith stunning mountain scenery, a thriving, multicoloured capital city and beaches to rival anywhere else in the Mediterranean, Albania has become the sleeper hit of the Balkans. [...] Albania has natural beauty in such abundance that you might wonder why it´s taken 20 years for the country to take off as a tourist destination since the demise of a particularly insular strain of communism in 1991. [Albanians have] just got on with embracing life in a languid and chaotically post-communist way. Albania offers a remarkable array of unique attractions, largely due to this very isolation: ancient mountain codes of behaviours, forgotten archaeological sites and villages where time seems to have stood still are all on the menu. Lively, colourful Tirana is the beating heart of Albania, where this tiny nation´s hopes and dreams coalesce into a vibrant whirl of traffic, brash consumerism and unfettered fun.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Albania National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
...
64=Georgia0.802
64=Serbia0.802
66Thailand0.800
67Albania0.796
68=Grenada0.795
68=Bulgaria0.795
70Barbados0.790
71Antigua & Barbuda0.788
Europe Avg0.87
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
...
82Colombia$14 384
83Brazil$14 370
84Azerbaijan$14 257
85Albania$14 131
86Palau$13 819
87Grenada$13 484
88Gabon$13 367
89Ukraine$13 256
Europe Avg$40 512
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Norway29.8
2Denmark30.0
3Finland33.7
...
48Israel69.9
49Barbados70.5
50Serbia70.6
51Albania72.0
52Tunisia73.8
53Brazil73.9
54Malaysia75.4
55Sri Lanka75.8
Europe Avg59.3
World Avg87.9
q=196.

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. Albania's Demographics and Migration

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

Population:

Albania's population is predicted to rise to 3.29 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 1.51. 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
...
135Mongolia3.2m
136Armenia3.0m
137Jamaica2.9m
138Albania2.9m
139Lithuania2.8m
140Qatar2.8m
141Namibia2.4m
142Gambia2.3m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
47Estonia77.1
48Costa Rica77.0
49Saudi Arabia76.9
50Albania76.5
51Poland76.5
52Sri Lanka76.4
53Algeria76.4
54Montenegro76.3
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
74Switzerland1.53
75Mongolia2.48
76Russia1.52
77Albania1.51
78Latvia1.50
79Czechia1.50
80Spain1.50
81Croatia1.49
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
14
Pos.2016
Per 10014
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
144Ukraine30.8
145Australia31.3
146Slovakia31.6
147Albania31.8
148Norway32.2
149Iceland32.5
150Serbia32.7
151Hungary32.9
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants15
Pos.2017
%15
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
132Romania1.9%
133Japan1.8%
134Sudan1.8%
135Albania1.8%
136Pakistan1.7%
137Nepal1.7%
138Poland1.7%
139Senegal1.7%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants16
Pos.2010
%16
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
7Monaco56.3%
8Antigua & Barbuda47.6%
9Tonga45.4%
10Albania45.4%
11Barbados41.0%
12Suriname39.0%
13Bosnia & Herzegovina38.9%
14Palau38.8%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Albania's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #freethought #gender #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #slavery #tolerance #women

Compared to Europe (2020)17
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank17
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
30Kosovo54.2
31Greece58.1
32Croatia58.1
33Albania59.3
34Ukraine59.5
35Serbia59.9
36Bosnia & Herzegovina63.2
37Georgia64.2
38Armenia71.4
Europe Avg51.4
q=49.
Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)17
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank17
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
48Ecuador57.9
49Greece58.1
50Croatia58.1
51Albania59.3
52Ukraine59.5
53Panama59.7
54Serbia59.9
55Mongolia60.3
World Avg87.9
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Norway and Denmark18. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are The Solomon Islands, Somalia and Tuvalu18.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are statistics on commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe18, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Micronesia and Australasia18.

For more, see:

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Nominal Commitment to HR
Higher is better
19
Pos.2009
Treaties19
1Argentina24
2=Chile23
2=Costa Rica23
...
29Hungary20
30=Czechia20
30=Georgia20
30=Albania20
30=Cyprus20
30=Namibia20
30=Ukraine20
30=Macedonia20
Europe Avg19.5
World Avg15.1
q=194.
HR Treaties Lag
Lower is better
20
Pos.2019
Avg Yrs/Treaty20
1Ecuador2.15
2Uruguay2.25
3Tunisia3.65
...
103Croatia10.65
104Zambia10.81
105Iran10.81
106Albania10.94
107Israel10.97
108Armenia11.00
109Lithuania11.03
110Mozambique11.04
Europe Avg9.09
World Avg10.02
q=195.
Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom
Lower is better
21
Pos.2014
Rank21
1Hong Kong1
2Switzerland2
3New Zealand3
...
47Mongolia47
48=Bahamas48
48=Greece48
50Albania50
51Seychelles51
52Israel52
53Peru53
54Bosnia & Herzegovina54
Europe Avg33.9
World Avg79.7
q=159.
Press Freedom
Lower is better
22
Pos.201322
1Finland638
2Netherlands648
3Norway652
...
98Mali3003
99Georgia3009
100Lebanon3015
101Albania3088
102Maldives3110
103Uganda3169
104Peru3187
105Kyrgyzstan3220
Europe Avg2044
World Avg3249
q=178.
Slavery
Lower is better
23
Pos.2018
% Victims23
1Japan0.03
2=Canada0.05
2=Taiwan0.05
...
123Togo0.68
124=Cameroon0.69
124=Kenya0.69
124=Albania0.69
124=Malaysia0.69
128Djibouti0.71
129Angola0.72
130Syria0.73
Europe Avg0.38
World Avg0.65
q=167.

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Albania stated:

Intimidation against journalists continued. A specialized forensic psychiatric facility was lacking to accommodate and treat patients. Roma and Egyptian people were subjected to discrimination and segregation in education. Violence persisted against women and LGBTI people. There were fears that the restructuring of the courts would make justice less accessible.

"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)24

Gender Equality:

Albania is on the way towards ending gender inequality but women are still in an unfavourable position much of the time.

See:

Gender Inequality
Lower is better
25
Pos.201525
1Switzerland0.04
2Denmark0.04
3Netherlands0.04
...
48Bahrain0.23
49Hungary0.25
50Saudi Arabia0.26
51Albania0.27
52Russia0.27
53Mongolia0.28
54Oman0.28
55Uruguay0.28
Europe Avg0.15
World Avg0.36
q=159.
Year Women Can Vote
Lower is better
Pos.Total
Year
1New Zealand1893
2Australia1902
3Finland1906
...
19=Poland1919
20Canada1920
21=USA1920
21=Albania1920
23Lithuania1921
24=Sweden1921
24=Azerbaijan1921
24=Armenia1921
Europe Avg1895
World Avg1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

LGBT Equality
Higher is better
26
Pos.2017
Score26
1Netherlands103
2Belgium90
3Sweden86
...
36USA44
37=Monaco40
37=Poland40
37=Albania40
37=Switzerland40
37=Serbia40
37=Cyprus40
37=Italy40
Europe Avg46.9
World Avg12.6
q=196.
Freedom of Thought
Lower is better
27
Pos.202127
1=Belgium1.0
1=Netherlands1.0
1=Taiwan1.0
...
14Guinea-Bissau1.7
15=S. Africa1.7
16S. Korea1.8
17=Albania1.8
17=Palau1.8
17=USA1.8
17=Kosovo1.8
17=St Kitts & Nevis1.8
Europe Avg2.6
World Avg3.0
q=196.

5. Albania's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #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
...
27Czechia83.6
28France83.8
29=Bosnia & Herzegovina84.0
29=Albania84.0
31Turkey84.5
32Estonia85.3
33=Ireland87.4
34Lithuania92.4
35Latvia93.1
Europe Avg82.5
q=46.
Health (2020)28
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank28
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
...
63Czechia83.6
64France83.8
65=Bosnia & Herzegovina84.0
65=Albania84.0
67Turkey84.5
68Australia84.6
69Jordan84.8
70Barbados85.1
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:

Albania does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Albania does better than average in its suicide rate30, its immunizations take-up31, its average life expectancy11 (but low for Europe), its adolescent birth rate25 (but bad for Europe) and in its fertility rate13. But, there's bad news too. Albania does worse than average for its alcohol consumption rate32 (still good for Europe), its smoking rate33 (still good for Europe) and in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance34 (the worst in Europe). The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. Life expectancy in Albania improved by +6.1yrs 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
...
47Estonia77.1
48Costa Rica77.0
49Saudi Arabia76.9
50Albania76.5
51Poland76.5
52Sri Lanka76.4
53Algeria76.4
54Montenegro76.3
Europe Avg78.36
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
32
Pos.2016
Per Capita32
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
107=China7.2
107=Paraguay7.2
109Mongolia7.4
110=Albania7.5
110=Burundi7.5
110=Italy7.5
110=Norway7.5
114Kazakhstan7.7
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
...
74Switzerland1.53
75Mongolia2.48
76Russia1.52
77Albania1.51
78Latvia1.50
79Czechia1.50
80Spain1.50
81Croatia1.49
Europe Avg1.61
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
33
Pos.201433
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
129Lithuania1 124
130Uruguay1 135
131Canada1 154
132Albania1 177
133Egypt1 188
134Vietnam1 215
135Iraq1 227
136Spain1 265
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate30
Pos.2013
Per 100k30
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
21=Barbados7.3
21=Belize7.3
23Bahrain7.5
24Albania8
25=Mexico8.5
25=Israel8.5
27Georgia8.8
28Seychelles8.9
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
...
135Iraq135
136Madagascar136
137Congo, (Brazzaville)137
138Albania138
139Ghana139
140Chad140
141Rwanda141
142Mali142
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better
35
Pos.2016
%35
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
113=Russia57.1
114Portugal57.5
115=Peru57.5
116Albania57.7
117=Romania57.7
118Netherlands57.8
119=Latvia57.8
120Finland57.9
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
25
Pos.2015
Per 100025
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
...
63Brunei21.0
64Bhutan21.4
65Djibouti21.5
66Albania21.7
67=Moldova22.6
67=USA22.6
69Armenia23.0
70Jordan23.2
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
...
29=St Vincent & Grenadines97.2
30Dominica97.1
31=Kazakhstan97.1
32Albania97.1
33Andorra97.1
34Russia97.0
35Guyana97.0
36Slovakia97.0
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Albania's Responsibility Towards The Environment

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

Compared to Europe (2023)36
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank36
1Greece50.4
2Italy51.8
3Germany55.8
...
22=Iceland78.6
23Bulgaria78.8
24Cyprus79.3
25Albania79.8
26Belarus81.5
27Belgium82.2
28Ireland82.4
29Ukraine83.2
30=Malta83.5
Europe Avg79.9
q=43.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)36
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank36
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Uruguay48.0
...
76Bulgaria78.8
77Cyprus79.3
78Chad79.5
79Albania79.8
80Argentina80.8
81=Mozambique81.0
81=Dominican Rep.81.0
83Belarus81.5
World Avg85.7
q=188.
Albania is 79th in the world when it comes to its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 6 data sets. Albania does better than average for energy to GDP efficiency37, its environmental performance38 (but bad for Europe), how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity, its forested percent change 2000-202039 and in annual meat consumption per person40. Albania does not succeed in everything, however. Albania is second-from-the-bottom when it comes to the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population41.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020
Higher is better
39
Pos.Total39
1Guernsey82.6%
2Bahrain75.2%
3Iceland64.7%
...
62Croatia2.9%
63Netherlands2.8%
64UAE2.5%
65Albania2.5%
66Luxembourg2.3%
67Georgia2.2%
68USA2.1%
69Ukraine1.9%
Europe Avg8.2%
World Avg-0.1%
q=234.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
38
Pos.201838
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
37Latvia66.1
38Turkmenistan66.1
39Seychelles66.0
40Albania65.5
41Croatia65.5
42Colombia65.2
43Hungary65.0
44Belarus65.0
Europe Avg69.6
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Higher is better37
Pos.201437
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
...
19=Italy13.16
20Cyprus12.99
21Morocco12.66
22=Albania12.50
22=Spain12.50
22=Yemen12.50
25Namibia12.35
26=Portugal12.35
Europe Avg09.80
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.Total
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
41Germany1994 Mar 21
42=Denmark1994 Mar 21
43Belize1994 Mar 30
44Albania1994 Apr 05
45Malawi1994 May 03
46Samoa1994 May 10
47India1994 May 19
48=Paraguay1994 May 25
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%
...
138Denmark14.9%
139Libya14.6%
140Iceland13.1%
141Uzbekistan11.3%
142Tajikistan11.1%
143Haiti10.0%
144Albania9.4%
145Turkmenistan8.6%
Europe Avg33.6%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
40
Pos.2021
kg40
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
88Cuba49.6
89Libya50.0
90Ecuador50.9
91Albania52.0
92Kiribati52.4
93Vietnam52.6
94Dominican Rep.53.5
95Peru54.0
Europe Avg71.1
World Avg52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Albania was reducing.40

7. Albania's Modernity and Learning

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

Compared to Europe (2020)42
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank42
1Finland8.4
2Switzerland15.1
3Estonia15.8
...
41Monaco64.5
42Georgia65.1
43Montenegro66.0
44Armenia70.0
45=Azerbaijan70.1
46Macedonia71.0
47Albania72.4
48Andorra74.5
49San Marino125.0
Europe Avg41.2
q=49.
Modernity & Learning (2020)42
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank42
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
...
82Aruba71.5
83Iran71.7
84Kyrgyzstan71.8
85Albania72.4
86Thailand72.9
87Tunisia73.4
88India73.8
89Andorra74.5
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

In the 1990s, the expected duration of education in Albania fell by almost a year, whereas most of the rest of the world's increased. 43

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2944
2Israel4.1144
3Japan3.5844
...
98=Bolivia0.1645
98=Kyrgyzstan0.1646
98=Sri Lanka0.1647
101Albania0.1548
102Namibia0.1447
103=Georgia0.1349
103=Gambia0.1346
105Tajikistan0.1250
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
51
Pos.201851
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
32Japan93.6%
33Tajikistan93.1%
34Barbados92.9%
35Albania92.9%
36Belarus92.2%
37Marshall Islands92.1%
38Montenegro91.6%
39Australia90.4%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
52
Pos.2021
Years52
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
...
72Trinidad & Tobago14.5
73Slovakia14.5
74Dominican Rep.14.5
75Albania14.4
76Cuba14.4
77Colombia14.4
78Moldova14.4
79Serbia14.4
Europe Avg16.1
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
102Peru102
103Cape Verde103
104Swaziland104
105Albania105
106Madagascar106
107Thailand107
108Yemen108
109Brazil109
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading
Higher is better
53
Pos.2015
Score53
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
...
53Montenegro1256
54=Costa Rica1247
54=Mexico1247
56Albania1245
57=Thailand1245
58Colombia1231
59Qatar1222
60Georgia1216
Europe Avg1417
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity
Lower is better
54
Pos.2018
%54
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
13=Belgium11
14Austria12
15Hungary14
16Albania15
17=Lithuania16
17=S. Korea16
17=Russia16
20Australia18
Europe Avg25.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ
Higher is better55
Pos.200655
1=Hong Kong108
1=Singapore108
3S. Korea106
...
52=Thailand91
52=Lithuania91
52=Cambodia91
55Albania90
56=Croatia90
56=Kyrgyzstan90
56=Chile90
59Costa Rica89
Europe Avg96.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
56
Pos.201656
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
70Greece65%
71Saudi Arabia65%
72French Polynesia64%
73Albania63%
74Palestine63%
75Montenegro62%
76Bosnia & Herzegovina62%
77Azerbaijan61%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
57
Pos.2017
Ratio57
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
...
122=Swaziland0.0
122=Mongolia0.0
122=Samoa0.0
122=Albania0.0
122=Micronesia0.0
122=Algeria0.0
122=Djibouti0.0
122=Guyana0.0
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

World Giving Index
Higher is better
58
Pos.2022
%58
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
92=Namibia35.0
93Togo34.0
94=Mozambique34.0
94=Albania34.0
94=Montenegro34.0
94=Kazakhstan34.0
94=Gabon34.0
94=Taiwan34.0
Europe Avg39.0
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
59
Pos.2022
Points59
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
...
103Turkey36.0
104=Sri Lanka36.0
104=Panama36.0
104=Albania36.0
104=Ecuador36.0
104=Kazakhstan36.0
104=Thailand36.0
110Gambia34.0
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
q=180.
Happiness
Higher is better
60
Pos.2018
Score60
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
...
109Senegal4.6
110Laos4.6
111Tunisia4.6
112Albania4.6
113Sierra Leone4.6
114Congo, (Brazzaville)4.6
115Bangladesh4.5
116Sri Lanka4.5
Europe Avg6.06
World Avg5.38
q=156.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
75Turkey75
76Kyrgyzstan76
77Togo77
78Albania78
79Brunei79
80Suriname80
81Fiji81
82Kenya82
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
...
12Philippines12
13Austria13
14Germany14
15Albania15
16Togo16
17France17
18Singapore18
19Malaysia19
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
61
Pos.2023
Score61
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
38Macedonia1.71
39Costa Rica1.73
40=Vietnam1.75
40=Albania1.75
42Botswana1.76
43S. Korea1.76
44Mongolia1.77
45Montenegro1.77
Europe Avg1.70
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
77Iceland77
78Turkey78
79Georgia79
80Albania80
81Gabon81
82Russia82
83Iran83
84Serbia84
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
...
71Guatemala71
72Estonia72
73Guinea-Bissau73
74Albania74
75Botswana75
76Lebanon76
77Bahrain77
78Sri Lanka78
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
62
Pos.2019
Score62
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
37Zambia0.31
38Djibouti0.32
39Bulgaria0.37
40=Albania0.42
40=Cyprus0.42
42Lithuania0.46
43=Sierra Leone0.46
44Jamaica0.47
Europe Avg1.62
World Avg2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

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

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better63
Pos.201963
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
...
56Sri Lanka7.00
57=Costa Rica7.10
57=Russia7.10
59Albania7.20
60=Lebanon7.40
60=Ukraine7.40
62Brunei7.60
63Kazakhstan7.70
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better
64
Pos.2017
%64
1Ukraine25.0
2=Belarus25.4
2=Slovenia25.4
...
15Netherlands28.2
16Serbia28.5
17Timor-Leste (E. Timor)28.7
18Albania29.0
19Sweden29.2
20Malta29.4
21Iraq29.5
22Hungary30.4
Europe Avg31.5
World Avg38.1
q=152.
Multidimensional Poverty
Lower is better
65
Pos.2018
Severity65
1Armenia.001
2Ukraine.001
3Serbia.001
...
7Montenegro.002
8Trinidad & Tobago.002
9Maldives.003
10Albania.003
11Thailand.003
12Moldova.004
13Palestine.004
14Tunisia.005
Europe Avg.004
World Avg.154
q=101.

11. Religion and Beliefs

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

Religiosity (2018)54
Pos.Lower is better
%54
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
13=Belgium11
14Austria12
15Hungary14
16Albania15
17=Lithuania16
17=S. Korea16
17=Russia16
20Australia18
21=Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
23=Norway19
24Netherlands20
25=Italy21
25=Belarus21
27Ireland22
28=Kazakhstan22
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)66
Pos.Higher is better
%66
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
...
40=Uruguay12
41USA10
42Trinidad & Tobago9
43Albania8
44=Dominican Rep.7
44=Croatia7
44=Kyrgyzstan7
44=Cambodia7
48Moldova6
49=Italy6
50Laos5
51=Ireland5
51=Mozambique5
53Zimbabwe4
54=Namibia4
54=Iran4
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:

Christian18%
Muslim80.3%
Hindu0.1%
Buddhist0.1%
Folk Religion0.1%
Jewish0.1%
Unaffiliated1.4%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 98.4% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (8%). 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 98.7% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 15% 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: Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%. Note: percentages are estimates; there are no available current statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice68.

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