https://www.humantruth.info/china.html
By Vexen Crabtree 2025
China People's Republic of China | ![]() |
---|---|
Status | Independent State |
Social and Moral Index | 66th best |
Capital | Beijing |
Land Area | 9 327 490km21 |
Location | Asia |
Population | 1.4b2 |
Life Expectancy | 78.21yrs (2017)3 |
GNI | $17 504 (2017)4 |
ISO3166-1 Codes | CN, CHN, 1565 |
Internet Domain | .cn6 |
Currency | Yuan Renminbi (CNY)7 |
Telephone | +868 |
“For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, MAO's successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight. Since the early 1990s, China has increased its global outreach and participation in international organizations.”
CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9
“Antique yet up-to-the-minute, outwardly urban but quintessentially rural, conservative yet path-breaking, space-age but old-fashioned, China is a land of mesmerising contradictions.
China is modernising at a head-spinning pace, but slick skyscrapers and Lamborghini showrooms are little more than dazzling baubles. ... After three decades of full-throttle development and socialist iconoclasm, you won´t find history at every turn, but travel selectively in China and rich seams of antiquity pop into view amid tumble-down chunks of the Great Wall, temple-topped mountains, quaint villages and water towns.
Culinary exploration is also an enticing aspect of Middle Kingdom travel: wolf down Peking duck, size up a sizzling lamb kebab in Kaifeng or gobble down Lánzhōu noodles on the Silk Road. And don´t forget about what´s cooking along China´s frontier lands - always an excellent reason to get off the beaten path.
And China is vast. Off-the-scale massive. You simply have to get outside: island-hop in Hong Kong, gaze over the epic grasslands of Inner Mongolia or squint up at the mind-blowing peaks of the Himalayas.”
#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 |
... | ||
76 | Iran | 0.774 |
77 | Ukraine | 0.773 |
78 | Macedonia | 0.770 |
79 | China | 0.768 |
80= | Moldova | 0.767 |
80= | Palau | 0.767 |
80= | Dominican Rep. | 0.767 |
83 | Cuba | 0.764 |
Asia Avg | 0.75 | |
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 |
... | ||
69 | Dominican Rep. | $17 990 |
70 | Mexico | $17 896 |
71 | Nauru | $17 730 |
72 | China | $17 504 |
73 | Thailand | $17 030 |
74 | Antigua & Barbuda | $16 792 |
75 | Botswana | $16 198 |
76 | Macedonia | $15 918 |
Asia Avg | $22 215 | |
World Avg | $20 136 | |
q=193. |
Social & Moral Development Index12 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank12 | |
1 | Denmark | 29.1 |
2 | Norway | 32.3 |
3 | Sweden | 34.1 |
... | ||
63 | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 79.5 |
64 | Andorra | 79.6 |
65 | Vietnam | 79.7 |
66 | China | 80.3 |
67 | Dominica | 80.3 |
68 | Philippines | 80.4 |
69 | India | 80.5 |
70 | Moldova | 80.8 |
Asia Avg | 92.0 | |
World Avg | 88.9 | |
q=199. |
The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..
The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.
#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen
Population:
China's population is predicted to fall to 1 393 076 000 by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 1.18. 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 8.86.13Population2 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2018 Population2 | |
1 | China | 1.4b |
2 | India | 1.4b |
3 | USA | 327.1m |
4 | Indonesia | 267.7m |
5 | Pakistan | 212.2m |
6 | Brazil | 209.5m |
7 | Nigeria | 195.9m |
8 | Bangladesh | 161.4m |
9 | Russia | 145.7m |
10 | Japan | 127.2m |
11 | Mexico | 126.2m |
12 | Ethiopia | 109.2m |
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 |
... | ||
39 | UAE | 78.7 |
40 | Kuwait | 78.7 |
41 | Antigua & Barbuda | 78.5 |
42 | China | 78.2 |
43 | Czechia | 77.7 |
44 | Croatia | 77.6 |
45 | Barbados | 77.6 |
46 | USA | 77.2 |
World Avg | 71.28 | |
q=195. |
Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 202214 | |
1 | US Virgin Islands | 2.00 |
2 | Ecuador | 2.00 |
3 | Nepal | 2.01 |
... | ||
137 | Jordan | 2.79 |
138 | Kyrgyzstan | 2.80 |
139 | Aruba | 1.18 |
140 | China | 1.18 |
141 | Algeria | 2.83 |
142 | Spain | 1.16 |
143 | Malta | 1.15 |
144 | Egypt | 2.88 |
World Avg | 2.47 | |
q=208. |
Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 Per 10015 | |
1 | Uganda | 04.3 |
2 | Mali | 04.5 |
3= | Chad | 04.7 |
... | ||
127 | Israel | 22.9 |
128 | Sri Lanka | 23.7 |
129 | Moldova | 24.7 |
130 | China | 25.3 |
131 | Mauritius | 25.9 |
132 | Uruguay | 26.8 |
133 | Cyprus | 26.9 |
134 | Chile | 27.0 |
World Avg | 18.3 | |
q=185. |
Migration:
Immigrants16 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 %16 | |
1 | UAE | 88.4% |
2 | Kuwait | 75.5% |
3 | Qatar | 65.2% |
... | ||
188 | N. Korea | 0.2% |
189 | Sri Lanka | 0.2% |
190 | Myanmar (Burma) | 0.1% |
191 | Madagascar | 0.1% |
192 | Indonesia | 0.1% |
193 | Cuba | 0.1% |
194 | Vietnam | 0.1% |
195 | China | 0.1% |
World Avg | 9.4% | |
q=195. |
Emigrants17 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2010 %17 | |
1 | Dominica | 104.8% |
2 | Palestine | 68.4% |
3 | Samoa | 67.3% |
... | ||
185 | Qatar | 0.7% |
186 | Nigeria | 0.6% |
187 | Maldives | 0.6% |
188 | China | 0.6% |
189 | Japan | 0.6% |
190 | Oman | 0.5% |
191 | Madagascar | 0.4% |
192 | Montenegro | 0.0% |
World Avg | 11.5% | |
q=192. |
#antisemitism #australia #china #china_antisemitism #equality #freedom #gender_equality #germany #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #russia #syria #tolerance #USA
Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank18 | |
1 | Sweden | 6.1 |
2 | Denmark | 8.6 |
3 | Norway | 9.0 |
... | ||
128 | Tajikistan | 106.4 |
129 | Kenya | 106.8 |
130 | Morocco | 107.0 |
131 | China | 107.2 |
132 | Mozambique | 107.6 |
133 | Indonesia | 107.7 |
Asia Avg | 103.00 | |
World Avg | 86.55 | |
q=199. |
China does worse than average in commentary in Human Rights Watch reports21, LGBT equality22, its nominal commitment to Human Rights23, its average Freedom in the World rating and in freethought24. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 for supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms25 and in supporting press freedom26 (amongst the lowest in Asia).
"Foreign governments did little in 2017 to push back against China's worsening rights record at home and abroad"19. China and Russia both worked together to prevent and delay investigations of widespread human rights abuses in Syria by the International Criminal Court27. Australia and Germany both applied some pressure, and although the USA followed suit, their efforts were undermined by their own President Trump's applause of President Xi.
For tables, charts and commentary, see:
#alcohol #birth_control #china #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #vaccines
Compared to Asia (2025)28 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank28 | |
1 | Japan | 41.2 |
2 | Hong Kong | 48.2 |
3= | S. Korea | 49.9 |
3= | Sri Lanka | 49.9 |
5 | Singapore | 51.1 |
6 | N. Korea | 51.3 |
7 | China | 58.6 |
8 | Malaysia | 61.3 |
9 | Vietnam | 64.1 |
10 | Thailand | 70.8 |
11 | Brunei | 71.2 |
12 | Cyprus | 72.8 |
13 | Maldives | 73.0 |
Asia Avg | 80.90 | |
q=50. |
Health (2025)28 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank28 | |
1 | Monaco | 14.3 |
2 | Liechtenstein | 30.1 |
3 | Isle of Man | 32.1 |
... | ||
21 | Iceland | 55.9 |
22 | New Caledonia | 57.9 |
23 | Channel Islands | 58.4 |
24 | China | 58.6 |
25 | Finland | 59.8 |
26 | Malaysia | 61.3 |
27 | Belgium | 61.5 |
28 | Luxembourg | 63.9 |
World Avg | 97.60 | |
q=213. |
The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man29. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Cook Islands, The Marshall Islands and Niue29.
25 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, obesity rate, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans29, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia29.
For more, see:
Health:
China does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. China performs the best in its immunizations take-up30. It does better than average in terms of the prevalence of overweight adults31, its average life expectancy11, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance32 and in its adolescent birth rate33. China doesn't do so well in other areas. China does worse than average in its alcohol consumption rate34 and in its fertility rate14. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 when it comes to its smoking rate35 (one of the worst in Asia). The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years. Life expectancy in China improved by +10yrs in the 30 years from 1990, better than the global average of +7.9yrs. China is amongst only 41 countries who have seen their fertility rate drop by more than 4 since the 1960s. Its peak fertility rate was 7.51 in 1963; this long preceded the 1-child-rule period.Life Expectancy Higher is better11 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 Years11 | |
1 | Monaco | 85.9 |
2 | Hong Kong | 85.5 |
3 | Japan | 84.8 |
... | ||
39 | UAE | 78.7 |
40 | Kuwait | 78.7 |
41 | Antigua & Barbuda | 78.5 |
42 | China | 78.2 |
43 | Czechia | 77.7 |
44 | Croatia | 77.6 |
45 | Barbados | 77.6 |
46 | USA | 77.2 |
Asia Avg | 73.48 | |
World Avg | 71.28 | |
q=195. |
Alcohol Consumption Lower is better34 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 Per Capita34 | |
1 | Bangladesh | 0.0 |
2 | Kuwait | 0.0 |
3 | Libya | 0.0 |
... | ||
104 | Dominican Rep. | 6.9 |
105= | Antigua & Barbuda | 7.0 |
105= | Niue | 7.0 |
107 | China | 7.2 |
108= | Paraguay | 7.2 |
109 | Mongolia | 7.4 |
110= | Albania | 7.5 |
110= | Burundi | 7.5 |
Asia Avg | 3.9 | |
World Avg | 6.2 | |
q=189. |
Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 202214 | |
1 | US Virgin Islands | 2.00 |
2 | Ecuador | 2.00 |
3 | Nepal | 2.01 |
... | ||
137 | Jordan | 2.79 |
138 | Kyrgyzstan | 2.80 |
139 | Aruba | 1.18 |
140 | China | 1.18 |
141 | Algeria | 2.83 |
142 | Spain | 1.16 |
143 | Malta | 1.15 |
144 | Egypt | 2.88 |
Asia Avg | 2.17 | |
World Avg | 2.47 | |
q=208. |
Smoking Rates Lower is better35 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201435 | |
1 | Guinea | 15 |
2 | Solomon Islands | 26 |
3 | Kiribati | 28 |
... | ||
171 | Kazakhstan | 2 157 |
172 | Czechia | 2 194 |
173 | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 2 233 |
174 | China | 2 250 |
175 | Luxembourg | 2 284 |
176 | Belgium | 2 353 |
177 | Slovenia | 2 637 |
178 | Russia | 2 690 |
Asia Avg | 1 035 | |
World Avg | 819 | |
q=182. |
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better32 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank32 | |
1 | Sweden | 1 |
2 | Ireland | 2 |
3 | Denmark | 3 |
... | ||
45 | Mexico | 45 |
46 | Malaysia | 46 |
47 | Czechia | 47 |
48 | China | 48 |
49 | Singapore | 49 |
50 | Ecuador | 50 |
51 | Israel | 51 |
52 | Slovakia | 52 |
Asia Avg | 64.4 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Overweight Adults Lower is better31 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 1976 %31 | |
1 | Bangladesh | 4.7 |
2 | Vietnam | 5.1 |
3 | Nepal | 5.4 |
... | ||
38 | Benin | 9.8 |
39 | Togo | 10.0 |
40 | Cape Verde | 10.1 |
41 | China | 10.2 |
42 | Central African Rep. | 10.3 |
43 | Sierra Leone | 10.4 |
44 | Equatorial Guinea | 10.5 |
45 | Comoros | 10.8 |
Asia Avg | 23.1 | |
World Avg | 27.1 | |
q=191. |
Adult Obesity Lower is better36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 %36 | |
1 | Vietnam | 2.1% |
2 | Timor-Leste (E. Timor) | 2.2% |
3 | Ethiopia | 2.4% |
... | ||
23 | Laos | 7.8% |
24 | Congo, (Brazzaville) | 8.0% |
25 | S. Sudan | 8.0% |
26 | China | 8.2% |
27 | Guinea | 8.3% |
28 | Senegal | 8.7% |
29 | Philippines | 8.7% |
30 | Mozambique | 8.8% |
Asia Avg | 21.1% | |
World Avg | 24.7% | |
q=199. |
Children's Health:
Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better33 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 Per 100033 | |
1 | Hong Kong | 1.6 |
2 | Denmark | 1.8 |
3 | S. Korea | 2.1 |
... | ||
48 | Montenegro | 9.7 |
49 | UK | 10.0 |
50 | Latvia | 10.5 |
51 | China | 11.1 |
52 | Belarus | 11.2 |
53 | Malta | 11.5 |
54 | Algeria | 11.6 |
55 | Saudi Arabia | 11.6 |
Asia Avg | 25.9 | |
World Avg | 43.8 | |
q=195. |
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2015 Avg %30 | |
1= | Hungary | 99.0 |
1= | China | 99.0 |
3 | Uzbekistan | 98.9 |
4 | Niue | 98.8 |
5 | Mongolia | 98.7 |
6 | Czechia | 98.7 |
7 | Seychelles | 98.6 |
8 | S. Korea | 98.6 |
9 | Sri Lanka | 98.4 |
10 | St Lucia | 98.2 |
11 | Bahrain | 98.2 |
12 | Iran | 98.1 |
Asia Avg | 90.5 | |
World Avg | 88.3 | |
q=194. |
#biodiversity #china #climate_change #deforestation #energy #environmentalism #food #internationalism #japan #meat #over-exploitation #pakistan #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism
Compared to Asia (2025)37 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank37 | |
1 | Sri Lanka | 34.9 |
2 | Nepal | 47.9 |
3 | India | 49.5 |
... | ||
14 | Yemen | 71.9 |
15 | Pakistan | 72.0 |
16 | Turkey | 75.0 |
17 | China | 75.2 |
18 | Afghanistan | 75.7 |
19 | Syria | 77.4 |
20 | Iran | 79.0 |
21 | UAE | 81.8 |
22 | Singapore | 83.3 |
Asia Avg | 86.44 | |
q=51. |
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)37 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank37 | |
1 | Sri Lanka | 34.9 |
2 | Uruguay | 43.2 |
3 | Switzerland | 45.0 |
... | ||
70 | Chad | 74.4 |
71 | UK | 74.4 |
72 | Turkey | 75.0 |
73 | China | 75.2 |
74 | Belgium | 75.3 |
75 | Cape Verde | 75.6 |
76 | Afghanistan | 75.7 |
77 | New Zealand | 75.8 |
World Avg | 84.93 | |
q=199. |
We have known for a long term that we must protect the environment from habitation destruction, over-exploitation, pollution, and the emissions that cause climate change. In 1998, Greenpeace wrote that "Environment can no longer be meaningfully separated from health, quality of life, democracy, education, economy or trade"38. What countries have been doing the right thing, via legislation and national culture? 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:
In terms of its responsibility towards the environment, China ranks 73rd in the world. This is formulated from 21 data sets. China comes in the best 20 when it comes to its forested percent change 2000-202039. It does better than average for its score on the Green Future Index40 (amongst the best in Asia) and in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. China still has work to do. China does worse than average in reducing annual meat consumption per person41, reducing annual meat consumption per person41, its environmental performance42 and in energy to GDP efficiency43. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in terms of the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population44 (one of the lowest in Asia).Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better39 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Total39 | |
1 | Guernsey | 82.6% |
2 | Bahrain | 75.2% |
3 | Iceland | 64.7% |
... | ||
9 | Kuwait | 28.9% |
10 | Uzbekistan | 23.3% |
11 | Algeria | 23.1% |
12 | China | 23.0% |
13 | Vietnam | 23.0% |
14 | Ireland | 22.8% |
15 | Syria | 20.0% |
16 | Guam | 16.7% |
Asia Avg | 3.2% | |
World Avg | -0.1% | |
q=234. |
From 2000 to 2010, China restored its forest cover by 13%, from 177001 thousand hectares to 200610 thousand; this was five times more than any other country's restoration in absolute hectares. It added a further 10% by 2020, in total setting an impressive precedent in Asia and for the world.
Environmental Performance Higher is better42 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201842 | |
1 | Switzerland | 87.4 |
2 | France | 84.0 |
3 | Denmark | 81.6 |
... | ||
117 | Zambia | 51.0 |
118 | Grenada | 50.9 |
119 | Tanzania | 50.8 |
120 | China | 50.7 |
121 | Thailand | 49.9 |
122 | Micronesia | 49.8 |
123 | Libya | 49.8 |
124 | Ghana | 49.7 |
Asia Avg | 54.5 | |
World Avg | 56.4 | |
q=180. |
Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better43 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 Avg43 | |
1 | Rwanda | 0.25 |
2 | Chad | 0.26 |
3 | Tanzania | 0.31 |
... | ||
133 | S. Korea | 1.67 |
134 | Tajikistan | 1.67 |
135 | Mongolia | 1.68 |
136 | China | 1.68 |
137 | UAE | 1.73 |
138 | Zimbabwe | 1.74 |
139 | Saudi Arabia | 1.76 |
140 | Serbia | 1.79 |
Asia Avg | 1.50 | |
World Avg | 1.23 | |
q=165. |
International Accords on the Environment Higher is better | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Total Avg Rate | |
1 | Sweden | 83% |
2 | Canada | 82% |
3 | Norway | 81% |
... | ||
61 | Congo, DR | 65% |
62 | Sri Lanka | 65% |
63 | Madagascar | 65% |
64 | China | 64% |
65 | Malaysia | 64% |
66 | Botswana | 64% |
67 | El Salvador | 64% |
68 | Iran | 64% |
Asia Avg | 55.4% | |
World Avg | 57.5% | |
q=197. |
Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better44 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2011 %44 | |
1 | Argentina | 78.3% |
2 | Greece | 77.6% |
3 | Brazil | 77.1% |
... | ||
134 | Tunisia | 19.3% |
135 | Czechia | 16.0% |
136 | Estonia | 15.9% |
137 | China | 15.1% |
138 | Denmark | 14.9% |
139 | Libya | 14.6% |
140 | Iceland | 13.1% |
141 | Uzbekistan | 11.3% |
Asia Avg | 37.9% | |
World Avg | 39.9% | |
q=145. |
Meat Consumption Lower is better41 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 kg41 | |
1 | Congo, DR | 03.0 |
2 | Burundi | 03.5 |
3 | Bangladesh | 04.3 |
... | ||
108 | Bulgaria | 61.8 |
109 | Moldova | 61.9 |
110 | Costa Rica | 62.2 |
111 | China | 63.6 |
112 | Uruguay | 62.8 |
113 | Jamaica | 63.4 |
114 | Slovakia | 63.5 |
115 | China | 63.6 |
Asia Avg | 46.7 | |
World Avg | 52.5 | |
q=185. |
Green Future Index Higher is better40 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2023 Score40 | |
1 | Iceland | 6.7 |
2 | Finland | 6.7 |
3 | Norway | 6.4 |
... | ||
24 | Costa Rica | 5.3 |
25 | S. Africa | 5.2 |
26 | Uruguay | 5.1 |
27 | China | 5.1 |
28 | Japan | 5.1 |
29 | Hungary | 5.1 |
30 | Chile | 5.1 |
31 | Czechia | 5.0 |
Asia Avg | 4.3 | |
World Avg | 4.8 | |
q=76. |
The 2023 edition of the Green Futures Index found that China's nuclear energy production growth has recently been higher than any of the other countries it reviewed (except Japan and Pakistan), helping its transition towards sustainability.45
#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #modernity #politics #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet
Compared to Asia (2020)46 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank46 | |
1 | S. Korea | 22.2 |
2 | Japan | 24.7 |
3 | Israel | 29.5 |
... | ||
12 | UAE | 64.3 |
13 | Georgia | 65.6 |
14 | Bahrain | 66.2 |
15 | China | 71.4 |
16 | Kuwait | 74.7 |
17 | Qatar | 74.8 |
18 | Thailand | 75.0 |
19 | Uzbekistan | 76.5 |
20 | Vietnam | 76.9 |
Asia Avg | 78.26 | |
q=49. |
Modernity & Learning (2020)46 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank46 | |
1 | Finland | 7.1 |
2 | Belgium | 12.9 |
3 | Denmark | 13.6 |
... | ||
67 | Moldova | 68.9 |
68 | Costa Rica | 69.8 |
69 | Tunisia | 70.8 |
70 | China | 71.4 |
71 | Fiji | 71.5 |
72 | Cuba | 72.8 |
73 | Trinidad & Tobago | 74.5 |
74 | Kuwait | 74.7 |
World Avg | 86.31 | |
q=190. |
The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Belgium and 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 | |
1 | S. Korea | 4.2950 |
2 | Israel | 4.1150 |
3 | Japan | 3.5850 |
... | ||
119= | Honduras | 0.0451 |
119= | Guatemala | 0.0452 |
119= | Bahrain | 0.0453 |
119= | Colombia | 0.0453 |
123 | Iraq | 0.0354 |
124= | El Salvador | 0.0352 |
124= | China | 0.0353 |
126 | Lesotho | 0.0154 |
Asia Avg | 0.75 | |
World Avg | 0.84 | |
q=126. |
Secondary Education Higher is better55 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201855 | |
1= | Luxembourg | 100.0% |
1= | Estonia | 100.0% |
1= | Austria | 100.0% |
... | ||
61 | Italy | 79.6% |
62 | Hong Kong | 79.4% |
63 | Chile | 79.3% |
64 | China | 78.6% |
65 | Belize | 78.6% |
66 | Malta | 78.2% |
67 | Fiji | 76.9% |
68 | S. Africa | 76.5% |
Asia Avg | 66.0% | |
World Avg | 63.0% | |
q=169. |
Length of Schooling Higher is better56 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 Years56 | |
1 | Australia | 21.1 |
2 | New Zealand | 20.3 |
3 | Greece | 20.0 |
... | ||
78 | Moldova | 14.4 |
79 | Serbia | 14.4 |
80 | Luxembourg | 14.4 |
81 | China | 14.2 |
82 | Romania | 14.2 |
83 | Antigua & Barbuda | 14.2 |
84 | Morocco | 14.2 |
85 | Sri Lanka | 14.1 |
Asia Avg | 13.5 | |
World Avg | 13.5 | |
q=193. |
Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better32 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank32 | |
1 | Ukraine | 1 |
2 | Czechia | 2 |
3 | Hungary | 3 |
... | ||
67 | India | 67 |
68 | Lebanon | 68 |
69 | Senegal | 69 |
70 | China | 70 |
71 | Burundi | 71 |
72 | Tunisia | 72 |
73 | Timor-Leste (E. Timor) | 73 |
74 | Chile | 74 |
Asia Avg | 97.1 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better57 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2015 Score57 | |
1 | Singapore | 1655 |
2 | Hong Kong | 1598 |
3 | Japan | 1586 |
... | ||
7= | Canada | 1571 |
8 | Finland | 1568 |
9 | S. Korea | 1557 |
10 | China | 154358 |
11= | Ireland | 1528 |
11= | Slovenia | 1528 |
13 | Germany | 1524 |
14= | Netherlands | 1524 |
Asia Avg | 1398 | |
World Avg | 1389 | |
q=70. |
Religiosity Lower is better59 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2018 %59 | |
1 | China | 3 |
2 | Estonia | 6 |
3 | Czechia | 7 |
4= | Switzerland | 9 |
4= | Denmark | 9 |
6 | Germany | 10 |
7= | UK | 10 |
7= | Sweden | 10 |
7= | Japan | 10 |
7= | Finland | 10 |
11 | Latvia | 11 |
12= | France | 11 |
Asia Avg | 55.8 | |
World Avg | 54.3 | |
q=106. |
IQ Higher is better60 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 200660 | |
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 |
12= | Norway | 100 |
Asia Avg | 90.4 | |
World Avg | 85.6 | |
q=138. |
Technology and Information:
Internet Users Higher is better61 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201661 | |
1 | Iceland | 100% |
2 | Faroe Islands | 99% |
3 | Norway | 98% |
... | ||
91= | Serbia | 54% |
92 | Maldives | 54% |
93 | Georgia | 53% |
94 | China | 52% |
95= | Vietnam | 52% |
95= | S. Africa | 52% |
97 | Dominican Rep. | 52% |
98 | Uzbekistan | 51% |
Asia Avg | 48.7% | |
World Avg | 48.1% | |
q=201. |
Freedom On The Internet Lower is better62 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201262 | |
1 | Estonia | 10 |
2 | USA | 12 |
3 | Germany | 15 |
... | ||
40 | Vietnam | 73 |
41= | Ethiopia | 75 |
41= | Myanmar (Burma) | 75 |
43 | Uzbekistan | 77 |
44 | Syria | 83 |
45 | China | 85 |
46 | Cuba | 86 |
47 | Iran | 90 |
Asia Avg | 56.6 | |
World Avg | 46.7 | |
q=47. |
IT Security Lower is better63 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201363 | |
1= | Ireland | 0.11 |
1= | Luxembourg | 0.11 |
1= | Belize | 0.11 |
... | ||
69 | Rwanda | 1.50 |
70 | Tanzania | 1.50 |
71 | Maldives | 1.57 |
72 | China | 1.59 |
73 | Angola | 1.61 |
74 | Sri Lanka | 1.67 |
75 | Oman | 1.72 |
76 | Iraq | 1.84 |
Asia Avg | 1.08 | |
World Avg | 0.98 | |
IPv6 Uptake Higher is better64 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Ratio64 | |
1 | Belgium | 55.4 |
2 | Germany | 41.8 |
3 | Switzerland | 35.1 |
... | ||
56 | Egypt | 0.4 |
57 | Mexico | 0.4 |
58 | Bhutan | 0.4 |
59 | China | 0.3 |
60 | Iceland | 0.3 |
61 | Turkey | 0.3 |
62= | Uruguay | 0.3 |
62= | Moldova | 0.3 |
Asia Avg | 2.11 | |
World Avg | 3.82 | |
q=176. |
Digital Quality of Life Higher is better65 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 202465 | |
1 | Germany | 77.9% |
2 | Finland | 76.9% |
3 | France | 73.9% |
... | ||
42 | Argentina | 56.2% |
43 | UAE | 55.8% |
44 | Chile | 55.0% |
45 | China | 54.8% |
46 | Uruguay | 54.8% |
47 | Ukraine | 54.4% |
48 | Serbia | 53.5% |
49 | Turkey | 52.2% |
Asia Avg | 46.4% | |
World Avg | 48.4% | |
q=121. |
#capitalism #charitability #charity #china #corruption #culture #economics #equality #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #indonesia #inequality #life_expectancy #morals #peace #politics #poverty #religious_violence #social_development #terrorism
Compared to Asia (2020)66 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank66 | |
1 | Singapore | 20.2 |
2 | Taiwan | 37.2 |
3 | Hong Kong | 40.5 |
... | ||
21 | Vietnam | 76.6 |
22 | Philippines | 76.8 |
23 | Sri Lanka | 79.8 |
24 | China | 80.6 |
25 | Kyrgyzstan | 81.7 |
26 | Armenia | 82.2 |
27 | Bahrain | 82.3 |
28 | Uzbekistan | 82.9 |
29 | Nepal | 83.4 |
Asia Avg | 79.59 | |
q=49. |
Culture, Peace & Inequality (2020)66 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank66 | |
1 | Denmark | 11.2 |
2 | Norway | 13.9 |
3 | Netherlands | 14.4 |
... | ||
83 | Bahamas | 79.7 |
84 | Sri Lanka | 79.8 |
85 | Senegal | 79.9 |
86 | China | 80.6 |
87 | Kyrgyzstan | 81.7 |
88 | Armenia | 82.2 |
89 | Bahrain | 82.3 |
90 | Uzbekistan | 82.9 |
World Avg | 78.12 | |
q=180. |
This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 22 datasets, including multiple decades of data on World Giving Index, resisting corruption, overall happiness, Creativity and Culture, Open Trading, Aid and Development, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, Inequality in Life Expectancy, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.
For more, see:
National Culture:
World Giving Index Higher is better67 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 %67 | |
1 | Indonesia | 68.0 |
2 | Kenya | 61.0 |
3 | USA | 59.0 |
... | ||
50= | Ghana | 43.0 |
51 | Sweden | 42.0 |
52= | Colombia | 42.0 |
52= | China | 42.0 |
52= | Ecuador | 42.0 |
55 | Bulgaria | 41.0 |
56= | Slovakia | 41.0 |
56= | Germany | 41.0 |
Asia Avg | 37.9 | |
World Avg | 39.6 | |
q=125. |
Corruption Higher is better68 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 Points68 | |
1 | Denmark | 90.0 |
2= | Finland | 87.0 |
2= | New Zealand | 87.0 |
... | ||
62 | Malaysia | 47.0 |
63 | Armenia | 46.0 |
64= | Romania | 46.0 |
65 | China | 45.0 |
66= | Sao Tome & Principe | 45.0 |
66= | Montenegro | 45.0 |
66= | Cuba | 45.0 |
69 | Jamaica | 44.0 |
Asia Avg | 39.98 | |
World Avg | 42.98 | |
q=180. |
When the Corruption Perception Index was launched in 1995, China had the 2nd-worst score of the 50-or-so countries for which they gathered data, after Indonesia. And in 2015, a poll "found 84% thought corrupt officials were a big problem, and 44% think a 'very big problem' - no issue tested higher"69. Despite that, in the 2022 Corruption Perception Index, China came 65th-best in the world; which although not a newsworthy accomplishment, is hovering at the entrance to the top-third of countries in the world. Many observers such as Transparency International think that the true scale of the problem is higher69, but being hidden by the inability of civilians to observe the government.
Happiness Higher is better70 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2024 Score70 | |
1 | Finland | 7.7 |
2 | Denmark | 7.5 |
3 | Iceland | 7.5 |
... | ||
65 | Peru | 5.9 |
66 | Russia | 5.9 |
67 | Cyprus | 5.9 |
68 | China | 5.9 |
69 | Hungary | 5.9 |
70 | Trinidad & Tobago | 5.9 |
71 | Montenegro | 5.9 |
72= | Croatia | 5.9 |
Asia Avg | 5.41 | |
World Avg | 5.58 | |
q=147. |
Creativity & Culture Lower is better32 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank32 | |
1 | Belgium | 1 |
2 | Netherlands | 2 |
3 | Estonia | 3 |
... | ||
108 | Lesotho | 108 |
109 | Georgia | 109 |
110 | Kuwait | 110 |
111 | China | 111 |
112 | Swaziland | 112 |
113 | Argentina | 113 |
114 | Qatar | 114 |
115 | Afghanistan | 115 |
Asia Avg | 99.0 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better32 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank32 | |
1 | Ireland | 1 |
2 | Denmark | 2 |
3 | Sweden | 3 |
... | ||
110 | Ecuador | 110 |
111 | Malawi | 111 |
112 | Laos | 112 |
113 | China | 113 |
114 | S. Africa | 114 |
115 | Cape Verde | 115 |
116 | Russia | 116 |
117 | Angola | 117 |
Asia Avg | 86.3 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Peace Versus Instability:
Global Peace Index Lower is better71 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2023 Score71 | |
1 | Iceland | 1.12 |
2 | Denmark | 1.31 |
3 | Ireland | 1.31 |
... | ||
77 | Jamaica | 1.99 |
78 | Bolivia | 2.00 |
79 | Nepal | 2.01 |
80 | China | 2.01 |
81 | Tunisia | 2.01 |
82 | Equatorial Guinea | 2.01 |
83 | Dominican Rep. | 2.02 |
84= | Morocco | 2.02 |
Asia Avg | 2.17 | |
World Avg | 2.07 | |
q=163. |
Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better32 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank32 | |
1 | Samoa | 1 |
2 | S. Africa | 2 |
3 | Tunisia | 3 |
... | ||
37 | Germany | 37 |
38 | Togo | 38 |
39 | Argentina | 39 |
40 | China | 40 |
41 | Canada | 41 |
42 | Azerbaijan | 42 |
43 | Senegal | 43 |
44 | Switzerland | 44 |
Asia Avg | 76.0 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better32 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank32 | |
1 | Austria | 1 |
2 | Germany | 2 |
3 | Netherlands | 3 |
... | ||
106 | Namibia | 106 |
107 | Tunisia | 107 |
108 | Cape Verde | 108 |
109 | China | 109 |
110 | Kazakhstan | 110 |
111 | Jordan | 111 |
112 | Libya | 112 |
113 | Belize | 113 |
Asia Avg | 92.2 | |
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 |
... | ||
106 | Greece | 4.17 |
107 | Germany | 4.25 |
108 | Lebanon | 4.40 |
109 | China | 4.47 |
110 | S. Africa | 4.51 |
111 | Israel | 4.53 |
112 | Iran | 4.72 |
113 | Chad | 4.76 |
Asia Avg | 3.60 | |
World Avg | 2.78 | |
q=150. |
Economic Inequality and Poverty:
Some observers such as Transparency International are worried about inequality in China, citing the vastly different fortunes of those in government favour to the rest of society. Their concerns aren't matched by the large-scale statistics; TI's own Corruption Perception Index in 2022 placed China just inside the top third of the world. But the numbers never tell the full story, and China's huge population can easily mask problems. Here's what TI say:
“China [...] has suffered some of the highest levels of both income and wealth inequality in the world over the last decade. The country is polarised, with 200 of the wealthiest individuals now sharing over a quarter of the country's wealth - the majority of which have succeeded as a result of an economic system that favour[s] relationships and patronage with the ruling elite. A 2015 national survey by the Pew Research Centre found 84% thought corrupt officials were a big problem, and 44% think a 'very big problem' - no issue tested higher.”
"The Fifth Column: Understanding the relationship between corruption and conflict"
Transparency International (2017)69
Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better73 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201973 | |
1 | Iceland | 2.40 |
2= | Singapore | 2.50 |
2= | Hong Kong | 2.50 |
... | ||
65 | Uruguay | 7.90 |
66= | Thailand | 7.90 |
66= | Georgia | 7.90 |
66= | China | 7.90 |
69 | Argentina | 8.60 |
70= | Barbados | 8.70 |
70= | Armenia | 8.70 |
72 | Tunisia | 9.00 |
Asia Avg | 11.80 | |
World Avg | 14.59 | |
q=184. |
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better74 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2023 %74 | |
1 | Slovakia | 24.1%75 |
2 | Slovenia | 24.3%75 |
3 | Belarus | 24.4%76 |
... | ||
87= | Liberia | 35.3%77 |
87= | Ivory Coast | 35.3%75 |
89 | Marshall Islands | 35.5%78 |
90= | China | 35.7%75 |
90= | Sierra Leone | 35.7%79 |
90= | Mali | 35.7%75 |
93 | Vietnam | 36.1%80 |
94= | Indonesia | 36.1%81 |
Asia Avg | 33.0% | |
World Avg | 36.5% | |
q=167. |
Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better82 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2018 Severity82 | |
1 | Armenia | .001 |
2 | Ukraine | .001 |
3 | Serbia | .001 |
... | ||
21 | Macedonia | .010 |
22 | Guyana | .014 |
23 | Dominican Rep. | .015 |
24 | China | .016 |
25 | Brazil | .01683 |
26 | Belize | .017 |
27 | Ecuador | .018 |
28 | Jamaica | .018 |
Asia Avg | .084 | |
World Avg | .154 | |
q=101. |
#buddhism #china #confucianism #eastern_religion #religion_in_china #taoism
Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Chinese folk religion are the four main forms of religion in China; their beliefs and practices have intermingled and interchanged over thousands of years, and most local communities combine parts of all of them84,85,86,87,88. China's earliest dynasties continued folk practices that have existed since pre-history, with religious leaders being shamans and guides speaking on behalf of the spirit world89 and a multitude of local gods and practices, and some of those ancient practices persist today in rural areas. Despite liberalisation over the past several decades, large numbers of Chinese - two thirds - do not consider themselves religious at all90 and most new religious movements are suppressed91,92.For more, see: