https://www.humantruth.info/iceland.html
By Vexen Crabtree 2013
Iceland Republic of Iceland | ![]() |
---|---|
Status | Independent State |
Social and Moral Index | 4th best |
Capital | Reykjavik |
Land Area | 100 250km21 |
Location | Europe, Scandinavia |
Population | 0.3m2 |
Life Expectancy | 82.68yrs (2017)3 |
GNI | $55 782 (2017)4 |
ISO3166-1 Codes | IS, ISL, 3525 |
Internet Domain | .is6 |
Currency | Krona (ISK)7 |
Telephone | +3548 |
#canada #denmark #iceland #norway #USA
“Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Denmark granted limited home rule in 1874 and complete independence in 1944. The second half of the 20th century saw substantial economic growth driven primarily by the fishing industry. The economy diversified greatly after the country joined the European Economic Area in 1994, but Iceland was especially hard hit by the global financial crisis in the years following 2008. Literacy, longevity, and social cohesion are first rate by world standards.”
CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9
“A mythical kingdom ruled by elves and Arctic energy, Iceland is where the past meets the future in an elemental symphony of wind, stone, fire and ice. Iceland is, literally, a country in the making - the natural elements work in harmony to power its veritable volcanic laboratory: geysers gush, mudpots gloop, Arctic gales swish along fjords, stone towers rise from the depths of an indigo sea, and glaciers grind their way through lava fields and the merciless tundra. The sublime power of Icelandic nature turns the prosaic into the extraordinary. A dip in the pool becomes a soothing soak in a geothermal lagoon, a casual stroll can transform into a trek across a glittering ice cap, and a quiet night of camping means front-row seats to either the aurora borealis´ curtains of fire, or the soft, pinkish hue of the midnight sun.
It´s hard not to be deeply touched by the island's beauty - few leave without a pang. Iceland has that effect on people. Perhaps it´s the landscape´s austere bleakness, or maybe it has something to do with the island's tiny population, but a visit here is as much about the people you meet as it is about the ethereal landscape.”
#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 |
4 | Hong Kong | 0.952 |
5 | Australia | 0.951 |
6 | Denmark | 0.948 |
7 | Sweden | 0.947 |
8 | Ireland | 0.945 |
9 | Germany | 0.942 |
10 | Netherlands | 0.941 |
11 | Finland | 0.940 |
12 | Singapore | 0.939 |
Europe Avg | 0.87 | |
World Avg | 0.72 | |
q=191. |
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better PPP $11 | |
1 | Liechtenstein | $146 830 |
2 | Singapore | $90 919 |
3 | Qatar | $87 134 |
... | ||
11 | UAE | $62 574 |
12 | Denmark | $60 365 |
13 | Netherlands | $55 979 |
14 | Iceland | $55 782 |
15 | Germany | $54 534 |
16 | Sweden | $54 489 |
17 | Austria | $53 619 |
18 | Kuwait | $52 920 |
Europe Avg | $40 512 | |
World Avg | $20 136 | |
q=193. |
Social & Moral Development Index12 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank12 | |
1 | Denmark | 27.4 |
2 | Norway | 27.6 |
3 | Sweden | 30.4 |
4 | Iceland | 31.3 |
5 | New Zealand | 31.7 |
6 | Finland | 31.8 |
7 | Netherlands | 31.9 |
8 | Australia | 35.5 |
9 | Switzerland | 35.9 |
10 | UK | 36.4 |
11 | Austria | 36.5 |
12 | Canada | 37.1 |
Europe Avg | 57.5 | |
World Avg | 89.7 | |
q=198. |
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:
Iceland's population is predicted to rise to 389 985 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 1.59. 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 |
... | ||
170 | Brunei | 0.4m |
171 | Bahamas | 0.4m |
172 | Belize | 0.4m |
173 | Iceland | 0.3m |
174 | Vanuatu | 0.3m |
175 | Barbados | 0.3m |
176 | Sao Tome & Principe | 0.2m |
177 | Samoa | 0.2m |
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 |
... | ||
11 | Sweden | 83.0 |
12 | Italy | 82.9 |
13 | Singapore | 82.8 |
14 | Iceland | 82.7 |
15 | Canada | 82.7 |
16 | Luxembourg | 82.6 |
17 | France | 82.5 |
18 | New Zealand | 82.5 |
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 |
... | ||
65 | Saudi Arabia | 2.39 |
66 | Macedonia | 1.60 |
67 | Libya | 2.40 |
68 | Iceland | 1.59 |
69 | Dominica | 1.59 |
70 | Antigua & Barbuda | 1.58 |
71 | Armenia | 1.58 |
72 | St Martin | 2.39 |
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 |
... | ||
146 | Slovakia | 31.6 |
147 | Albania | 31.8 |
148 | Norway | 32.2 |
149 | Iceland | 32.5 |
150 | Serbia | 32.7 |
151 | Hungary | 32.9 |
152 | Romania | 33.6 |
153 | USA | 33.8 |
World Avg | 18.3 | |
q=185. |
Migration:
Immigrants16 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 %16 | |
1 | UAE | 88.4% |
2 | Kuwait | 75.5% |
3 | Qatar | 65.2% |
... | ||
42 | UK | 13.4% |
43 | Latvia | 13.2% |
44 | Spain | 12.8% |
45 | Iceland | 12.5% |
46 | Libya | 12.4% |
47 | France | 12.2% |
48 | Barbados | 12.1% |
49 | Djibouti | 12.1% |
World Avg | 9.4% | |
q=195. |
Emigrants17 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2010 %17 | |
1 | Dominica | 104.8% |
2 | Palestine | 68.4% |
3 | Samoa | 67.3% |
... | ||
48 | Swaziland | 13.4% |
49 | Lithuania | 13.2% |
50 | Romania | 13.1% |
51 | Iceland | 13.0% |
52 | Bahamas | 12.8% |
53 | Estonia | 12.6% |
54 | Nicaragua | 12.5% |
55 | Latvia | 12.3% |
World Avg | 11.5% | |
q=192. |
#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #iceland_freedom #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance
Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank18 | |
1 | Sweden | 8.5 |
2 | Denmark | 13.5 |
3 | Norway | 13.5 |
4 | Netherlands | 14.5 |
5 | New Zealand | 16.0 |
6 | Iceland | 18.3 |
7 | Canada | 19.5 |
8 | Austria | 20.6 |
9 | Luxembourg | 21.6 |
10 | Finland | 22.1 |
Europe Avg | 51.0 | |
World Avg | 87.8 | |
q=200. |
For tables, charts and commentary, see:
#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #iceland #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines
Compared to Europe (2020)27 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank27 | |
1 | Monaco | 13.0 |
2 | Liechtenstein | 50.0 |
3 | Norway | 66.3 |
4 | Finland | 73.1 |
5 | Switzerland | 75.5 |
6= | Iceland | 76.3 |
7 | Denmark | 76.9 |
8 | Turkey | 78.0 |
9 | Sweden | 78.8 |
10 | France | 79.5 |
11 | Armenia | 81.5 |
12 | Belgium | 81.6 |
13 | Italy | 81.9 |
Europe Avg | 87.7 | |
q=47. |
Health (2020)27 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank27 | |
1 | Monaco | 13.0 |
2 | Maldives | 41.7 |
3 | Sri Lanka | 43.1 |
... | ||
29 | Antigua & Barbuda | 74.9 |
30 | Switzerland | 75.5 |
31= | Thailand | 76.3 |
31= | Iceland | 76.3 |
33 | Iran | 76.4 |
34 | Denmark | 76.9 |
35 | Grenada | 77.3 |
36 | Turkey | 78.0 |
World Avg | 95.1 | |
q=198. |
The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, The Maldives and Sri Lanka28. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, The Marshall Islands and Nigeria28.
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 Mediterranean28, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia28.
For more, see:
Health:
Iceland does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Iceland comes in the best 20 in its average life expectancy11 and in its adolescent birth rate19. It does better than average when it comes to its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance29, its fertility rate14 and in its smoking rate30 (the lowest in Europe). But, things still need to improve in Iceland. Iceland does worse than average in terms of its suicide rate31 (still low for Europe), its immunizations take-up32 and in its alcohol consumption rate33 (still good for Europe). The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Iceland in 1993 was the third highest in the world, at 78.7yrs. It improved this by another +4.2yrs in the 30 years from 1990, although less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Iceland's peak fertility rate was 4.29 in 1960.Life Expectancy Higher is better11 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 Years11 | |
1 | Monaco | 85.9 |
2 | Hong Kong | 85.5 |
3 | Japan | 84.8 |
... | ||
11 | Sweden | 83.0 |
12 | Italy | 82.9 |
13 | Singapore | 82.8 |
14 | Iceland | 82.7 |
15 | Canada | 82.7 |
16 | Luxembourg | 82.6 |
17 | France | 82.5 |
18 | New Zealand | 82.5 |
Europe Avg | 78.36 | |
World Avg | 71.28 | |
q=195. |
Alcohol Consumption Lower is better33 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 Per Capita33 | |
1 | Bangladesh | 0.0 |
2 | Kuwait | 0.0 |
3 | Libya | 0.0 |
... | ||
133= | Cameroon | 8.9 |
133= | Canada | 8.9 |
135 | Rwanda | 9.0 |
136 | Iceland | 9.1 |
137 | Sweden | 9.2 |
138= | Chile | 9.3 |
138= | Grenada | 9.3 |
138= | S. Africa | 9.3 |
Europe Avg | 10.3 | |
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 |
... | ||
65 | Saudi Arabia | 2.39 |
66 | Macedonia | 1.60 |
67 | Libya | 2.40 |
68 | Iceland | 1.59 |
69 | Dominica | 1.59 |
70 | Antigua & Barbuda | 1.58 |
71 | Armenia | 1.58 |
72 | St Martin | 2.39 |
Europe Avg | 1.53 | |
World Avg | 2.47 | |
q=208. |
Smoking Rates Lower is better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201430 | |
1 | Guinea | 15 |
2 | Solomon Islands | 26 |
3 | Kiribati | 28 |
... | ||
85 | Cape Verde | 515 |
86 | Tajikistan | 533 |
87 | S. Africa | 537 |
88 | Iceland | 551 |
89 | Norway | 556 |
90 | Gabon | 559 |
91 | Venezuela | 565 |
92 | Uzbekistan | 573 |
Europe Avg | 1 648 | |
World Avg | 819 | |
q=182. |
Suicide Rate31 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2013 Per 100k31 | |
1 | Haiti | 0 |
2 | Grenada | 0 |
3 | Egypt | 0.1 |
... | ||
53 | USA | 22.2 |
54 | Chile | 22.4 |
55 | Canada | 22.7 |
56 | Iceland | 23.5 |
57 | New Zealand | 23.6 |
58 | Ireland | 23.7 |
59 | Norway | 23.8 |
60= | Denmark | 23.9 |
Europe Avg | 26.99 | |
World Avg | 20.93 | |
q=91. |
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better29 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank29 | |
1 | Sweden | 1 |
2 | Ireland | 2 |
3 | Denmark | 3 |
... | ||
38 | Pakistan | 38 |
39 | Portugal | 39 |
40 | Brazil | 40 |
41 | Iceland | 41 |
42 | El Salvador | 42 |
43 | Russia | 43 |
44 | Turkey | 44 |
45 | Mexico | 45 |
Europe Avg | 47.4 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Overweight Adults Lower is better34 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 %34 | |
1 | Vietnam | 18.3 |
2 | India | 19.7 |
3 | Bangladesh | 20.0 |
... | ||
130 | Suriname | 58.9 |
131 | Colombia | 59.0 |
132= | Cyprus | 59.1 |
132= | Iceland | 59.1 |
134 | Montenegro | 59.4 |
135= | Belarus | 59.4 |
136 | France | 59.5 |
137= | Belgium | 59.5 |
Europe Avg | 58.5 | |
World Avg | 49.0 | |
q=191. |
Children's Health:
Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better19 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2015 Per 100019 | |
1 | N. Korea | 0.5 |
2 | S. Korea | 1.6 |
3 | Switzerland | 2.9 |
... | ||
12 | Norway | 5.9 |
13 | Luxembourg | 5.9 |
14 | Italy | 6.0 |
15 | Iceland | 6.1 |
16 | Libya | 6.2 |
17 | Finland | 6.5 |
18 | Germany | 6.7 |
19 | Maldives | 6.7 |
Europe Avg | 14.6 | |
World Avg | 47.9 | |
q=185. |
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better32 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2015 Avg %32 | |
1= | Hungary | 99.0 |
1= | China | 99.0 |
3 | Uzbekistan | 98.9 |
... | ||
112 | Malawi | 91.7 |
113 | Mexico | 91.6 |
114 | Moldova | 91.5 |
115 | Iceland | 91.5 |
116 | Trinidad & Tobago | 91.4 |
117 | Jamaica | 90.9 |
118 | Burkina Faso | 90.6 |
119 | Nepal | 90.1 |
Europe Avg | 92.7 | |
World Avg | 88.3 | |
q=194. |
#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #germany #iceland #meat #over-exploitation #singapore #south_korea #sustainability #taiwan #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism
Compared to Europe (2023)35 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank35 | |
1 | Greece | 50.4 |
2 | Italy | 51.8 |
3 | Germany | 55.8 |
... | ||
19 | Romania | 72.4 |
20 | Czechia | 77.2 |
21 | Georgia | 78.0 |
22= | Iceland | 78.6 |
23 | Bulgaria | 78.8 |
24 | Cyprus | 79.3 |
25 | Albania | 79.8 |
26 | Belarus | 81.5 |
27 | Belgium | 82.2 |
Europe Avg | 79.9 | |
q=43. |
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)35 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank35 | |
1 | Japan | 33.2 |
2 | Philippines | 45.0 |
3 | Uruguay | 48.0 |
... | ||
70 | Czechia | 77.2 |
71 | Georgia | 78.0 |
72= | Chile | 78.6 |
72= | Iceland | 78.6 |
74 | Antigua & Barbuda | 78.7 |
75= | Taiwan | 78.7 |
76 | Bulgaria | 78.8 |
77 | Cyprus | 79.3 |
World Avg | 85.7 | |
q=188. |
Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better37 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Total37 | |
1 | Guernsey | 82.6% |
2 | Bahrain | 75.2% |
3 | Iceland | 64.7% |
4 | Burundi | 44.2% |
5 | Uruguay | 43.8% |
6 | Montenegro | 32.1% |
7 | Malta | 31.4% |
8 | Cuba | 31.0% |
9 | Kuwait | 28.9% |
10 | Uzbekistan | 23.3% |
11 | Algeria | 23.1% |
12 | China | 23.0% |
Europe Avg | 8.2% | |
World Avg | -0.1% | |
q=234. |
From 2000 to 2010, Iceland increased its forest cover by an impressive 50%, from 30000 hectares to 45000. By 2020, it added a further 15%, setting an important example for the rest of the world.
Environmental Performance Higher is better38 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201838 | |
1 | Switzerland | 87.4 |
2 | France | 84.0 |
3 | Denmark | 81.6 |
... | ||
8 | Austria | 79.0 |
9 | Ireland | 78.8 |
10 | Finland | 78.6 |
11 | Iceland | 78.6 |
12 | Spain | 78.4 |
13 | Germany | 78.4 |
14 | Norway | 77.5 |
15 | Belgium | 77.4 |
Europe Avg | 69.6 | |
World Avg | 56.4 | |
q=180. |
Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better40 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201440 | |
1 | Hong Kong | 26.32 |
2 | Sri Lanka | 20.00 |
3 | Panama | 17.86 |
... | ||
112 | Ukraine | 03.28 |
113 | Togo | 02.88 |
114 | Ethiopia | 02.81 |
115 | Mozambique | 02.47 |
116 | Iceland | 02.41 |
117 | Zimbabwe | 02.31 |
118 | Trinidad & Tobago | 02.07 |
119 | Serbia | 00.72 |
Europe Avg | 09.80 | |
World Avg | 09.29 | |
q=119. |
Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Total Signed | |
1= | China | 1993 Dec 29 |
1= | Guinea | 1993 Dec 29 |
1= | Cook Islands | 1993 Dec 29 |
... | ||
85 | Kazakhstan | 1994 Dec 05 |
86 | El Salvador | 1994 Dec 07 |
87 | Chile | 1994 Dec 08 |
88 | Iceland | 1994 Dec 11 |
89 | Venezuela | 1994 Dec 12 |
90 | Comoros | 1994 Dec 28 |
91= | S. Korea | 1995 Jan 01 |
91= | Bolivia | 1995 Jan 01 |
Europe Avg | 1899 Dec 30 | |
World Avg | 1899 Dec 30 | |
q=197. |
Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better41 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2011 %41 | |
1 | Argentina | 78.3% |
2 | Greece | 77.6% |
3 | Brazil | 77.1% |
... | ||
137 | China | 15.1% |
138 | Denmark | 14.9% |
139 | Libya | 14.6% |
140 | Iceland | 13.1% |
141 | Uzbekistan | 11.3% |
142 | Tajikistan | 11.1% |
143 | Haiti | 10.0% |
144 | Albania | 9.4% |
Europe Avg | 33.6% | |
World Avg | 39.9% | |
q=145. |
Meat Consumption Lower is better39 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 kg39 | |
1 | Congo, DR | 03.0 |
2 | Burundi | 03.5 |
3 | Bangladesh | 04.3 |
... | ||
151 | Czechia | 82.4 |
152 | Bahrain | 82.8 |
153 | Qatar | 83.0 |
154= | Iceland | 83.6 |
154= | Lithuania | 83.6 |
156 | UAE | 84.3 |
157 | Panama | 85.0 |
158 | Luxembourg | 85.8 |
Europe Avg | 71.1 | |
World Avg | 52.5 | |
q=185. |
In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Iceland was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.39
Green Future Index Higher is better36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2023 Score36 | |
1 | Iceland | 6.7 |
2 | Finland | 6.7 |
3 | Norway | 6.4 |
4= | Sweden | 6.3 |
4= | Denmark | 6.3 |
6 | Netherlands | 6.2 |
7 | UK | 6.1 |
8 | S. Korea | 6.0 |
9 | France | 6.0 |
10= | Spain | 5.9 |
10= | Germany | 5.9 |
12 | Belgium | 5.8 |
Europe Avg | 5.6 | |
World Avg | 4.8 | |
q=76. |
The 2023 edition of the Green Futures Index found Iceland to have done more than any other country recently to reduce its carbon emissions and to transition to cleaner energy sources. It's also amongst five countries who are doing the best at recycling, alongside Germany, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan) and scored 2nd-best for green transport.42
#australia #belgium #education #english #iceland #intelligence #maths #modernity #research #science #technology #the_internet
Compared to Europe (2020)43 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank43 | |
1 | Finland | 7.7 |
2 | Switzerland | 14.7 |
3 | Denmark | 14.8 |
... | ||
7 | Czechia | 17.7 |
8 | Sweden | 17.9 |
9 | Austria | 18.1 |
10 | Iceland | 19.6 |
11 | UK | 20.4 |
12 | Norway | 21.3 |
13 | Ireland | 21.7 |
14 | Slovenia | 22.4 |
15 | Luxembourg | 22.6 |
Europe Avg | 40.6 | |
q=49. |
Modernity & Learning (2020)43 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank43 | |
1 | Finland | 7.7 |
2 | Taiwan | 10.0 |
3 | Switzerland | 14.7 |
... | ||
9 | Sweden | 17.9 |
10 | Austria | 18.1 |
11 | New Zealand | 19.4 |
12 | Iceland | 19.6 |
13 | UK | 20.4 |
14 | Australia | 20.8 |
15 | Japan | 21.0 |
16 | Norway | 21.3 |
World Avg | 82.7 | |
q=205. |
Modernity and Education:
From 2004 to 2008, Iceland had the third-longest period of education, for the average person, in the world, at 18.0 years, beaten only by Australia and Belgium.44
Research & Development Higher is better | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 % RDP PPP | |
1 | S. Korea | 4.2945 |
2 | Israel | 4.1145 |
3 | Japan | 3.5845 |
... | ||
16= | Singapore | 2.0046 |
16= | Czechia | 2.0045 |
18 | Netherlands | 1.9745 |
19 | Iceland | 1.8945 |
20= | Norway | 1.7045 |
20= | UK | 1.7045 |
22 | Canada | 1.6145 |
23 | Ireland | 1.5245 |
Europe Avg | 1.32 | |
World Avg | 0.84 | |
q=126. |
Secondary Education Higher is better47 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201847 | |
1= | Luxembourg | 100.0% |
1= | Estonia | 100.0% |
1= | Austria | 100.0% |
1= | Canada | 100.0% |
1= | Finland | 100.0% |
1= | Iceland | 100.0% |
7 | Uzbekistan | 99.9% |
8 | Czechia | 99.8% |
9 | Slovakia | 99.3% |
10 | Latvia | 99.2% |
11 | Kazakhstan | 98.6% |
12 | Kyrgyzstan | 98.4% |
Europe Avg | 88.3% | |
World Avg | 63.0% | |
q=169. |
Length of Schooling Higher is better48 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 Years48 | |
1 | Australia | 21.1 |
2 | New Zealand | 20.3 |
3 | Greece | 20.0 |
4 | Belgium | 19.6 |
5 | Sweden | 19.4 |
6 | Iceland | 19.2 |
7 | Finland | 19.1 |
8 | Ireland | 18.9 |
9 | Denmark | 18.7 |
10 | Netherlands | 18.7 |
11 | Grenada | 18.7 |
12 | Turkey | 18.3 |
Europe Avg | 16.1 | |
World Avg | 13.5 | |
q=193. |
Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better29 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank29 | |
1 | Ukraine | 1 |
2 | Czechia | 2 |
3 | Hungary | 3 |
... | ||
12 | New Zealand | 12 |
13 | Latvia | 13 |
14 | Bulgaria | 14 |
15 | Iceland | 15 |
16 | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 16 |
17 | Sweden | 17 |
18 | Lithuania | 18 |
19 | Macedonia | 19 |
Europe Avg | 31.3 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better49 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2015 Score49 | |
1 | Singapore | 1655 |
2 | Hong Kong | 1598 |
3 | Japan | 1586 |
... | ||
32 | Latvia | 1460 |
33 | Italy | 1456 |
34 | Luxembourg | 1450 |
35 | Iceland | 1443 |
36 | Croatia | 1426 |
37 | Lithuania | 1425 |
38 | Hungary | 1424 |
39 | Israel | 1416 |
Europe Avg | 1417 | |
World Avg | 1389 | |
q=70. |
IQ Higher is better50 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 200650 | |
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 |
Europe Avg | 96.6 | |
World Avg | 85.6 | |
q=138. |
Technology and Information:
Internet Users Higher is better51 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201651 | |
1 | Iceland | 100% |
2 | Faroe Islands | 99% |
3 | Norway | 98% |
4 | Bermuda | 97% |
5 | Andorra | 97% |
6 | Denmark | 96% |
7 | Liechtenstein | 96% |
8 | Luxembourg | 95% |
9 | Netherlands | 94% |
10 | Sweden | 93% |
11 | Monaco | 93% |
12 | UK | 93% |
Europe Avg | 76.7% | |
World Avg | 48.1% | |
q=201. |
IPv6 Uptake Higher is better52 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Ratio52 | |
1 | Belgium | 55.4 |
2 | Germany | 41.8 |
3 | Switzerland | 35.1 |
... | ||
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 |
64 | UAE | 0.3 |
Europe Avg | 8.11 | |
World Avg | 3.82 | |
q=176. |
#charity #corruption #happiness #iceland #morals #politics
World Giving Index Higher is better53 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 %53 | |
1 | Indonesia | 68.0 |
2 | Kenya | 61.0 |
3 | USA | 59.0 |
... | ||
23= | Netherlands | 46.0 |
23= | Jamaica | 46.0 |
23= | Russia | 46.0 |
23= | Iceland | 46.0 |
23= | Honduras | 46.0 |
23= | Mongolia | 46.0 |
23= | Denmark | 46.0 |
23= | Uganda | 46.0 |
Europe Avg | 39.0 | |
World Avg | 39.6 | |
q=125. |
Corruption Higher is better54 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 Points54 | |
1 | Denmark | 90.0 |
2= | Finland | 87.0 |
2= | New Zealand | 87.0 |
... | ||
13 | Australia | 75.0 |
14= | Estonia | 74.0 |
14= | Uruguay | 74.0 |
14= | Iceland | 74.0 |
14= | Canada | 74.0 |
18 | UK | 73.0 |
19= | Japan | 73.0 |
19= | Belgium | 73.0 |
Europe Avg | 57.61 | |
World Avg | 42.98 | |
q=180. |
In 1998, Iceland began to be included in the Corruption Perception Index data, and entered at 5th-best, rising to become the most-clean country in 2005.
Happiness Higher is better55 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2018 Score55 | |
1 | Finland | 7.6 |
2 | Norway | 7.6 |
3 | Denmark | 7.6 |
4 | Iceland | 7.5 |
5 | Switzerland | 7.5 |
6 | Netherlands | 7.4 |
7 | Canada | 7.3 |
8 | New Zealand | 7.3 |
9 | Sweden | 7.3 |
10 | Australia | 7.3 |
11 | Israel | 7.2 |
12 | Austria | 7.1 |
Europe Avg | 6.06 | |
World Avg | 5.38 | |
q=156. |
Creativity & Culture Lower is better29 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank29 | |
1 | Belgium | 1 |
2 | Netherlands | 2 |
3 | Estonia | 3 |
... | ||
34 | S. Korea | 34 |
35 | New Zealand | 35 |
36 | Belize | 36 |
37 | Iceland | 37 |
38 | Croatia | 38 |
39 | Bulgaria | 39 |
40 | Marshall Islands | 40 |
41 | Malaysia | 41 |
Europe Avg | 35.0 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better29 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank29 | |
1 | Ireland | 1 |
2 | Denmark | 2 |
3 | Sweden | 3 |
... | ||
102 | Australia | 102 |
103 | Madagascar | 103 |
104 | Dominica | 104 |
105 | Iceland | 105 |
106 | Bolivia | 106 |
107 | Ghana | 107 |
108 | Mexico | 108 |
109 | Thailand | 109 |
Europe Avg | 42.6 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
#extremism #human_development #human_rights #iceland #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism
Iceland has topped the Global Peace Index since 2008, consistently showcasing the worth of social policies that reduce crime, violence and fears for personal safety and firmly support all human rights, making it the most peaceful country on Earth56. One travel website points out entertainingly that violence is so low, that a significant portion of it comes solely from "tourists smacking one another after one too many drinks"57.
Global Peace Index Lower is better58 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2023 Score58 | |
1 | Iceland | 1.12 |
2 | Denmark | 1.31 |
3 | Ireland | 1.31 |
4 | New Zealand | 1.31 |
5 | Austria | 1.32 |
6 | Singapore | 1.33 |
7 | Portugal | 1.33 |
8 | Slovenia | 1.33 |
9 | Japan | 1.34 |
10 | Switzerland | 1.34 |
11 | Canada | 1.35 |
12 | Czechia | 1.38 |
Europe Avg | 1.70 | |
World Avg | 2.07 | |
q=163. |
Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better29 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank29 | |
1 | Samoa | 1 |
2 | S. Africa | 2 |
3 | Tunisia | 3 |
... | ||
74 | Jamaica | 74 |
75 | Guyana | 75 |
76 | Fiji | 76 |
77 | Iceland | 77 |
78 | Turkey | 78 |
79 | Georgia | 79 |
80 | Albania | 80 |
81 | Gabon | 81 |
Europe Avg | 84.6 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better29 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank29 | |
1 | Austria | 1 |
2 | Germany | 2 |
3 | Netherlands | 3 |
... | ||
39 | Turkey | 39 |
40 | Malaysia | 40 |
41 | Montenegro | 41 |
42 | Iceland | 42 |
43 | Hungary | 43 |
44 | Kenya | 44 |
45 | Serbia | 45 |
46 | Bolivia | 46 |
Europe Avg | 37.8 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Impact of Terrorism Lower is better59 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2019 Score59 | |
1 | Togo | 0.00 |
2 | Mongolia | 0.00 |
3 | Swaziland | 0.00 |
... | ||
15= | Trinidad & Tobago | 0.02 |
15= | Uzbekistan | 0.02 |
17 | Qatar | 0.03 |
18= | Iceland | 0.03 |
19 | Panama | 0.04 |
20= | Guyana | 0.04 |
21 | UAE | 0.05 |
22 | Slovakia | 0.06 |
Europe Avg | 1.62 | |
World Avg | 2.78 | |
q=150. |
#capitalism #economics #health #iceland #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development
Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better60 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201960 | |
1 | Iceland | 2.40 |
2= | Singapore | 2.50 |
2= | Hong Kong | 2.50 |
4 | Sweden | 2.90 |
5= | Slovenia | 2.90 |
5= | Japan | 2.90 |
7 | Finland | 3.00 |
8= | Czechia | 3.00 |
8= | Norway | 3.00 |
8= | S. Korea | 3.00 |
8= | Spain | 3.00 |
12 | Netherlands | 3.10 |
Europe Avg | 4.86 | |
World Avg | 14.59 | |
q=184. |
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better61 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2023 %61 | |
1 | Slovakia | 24.1%62 |
2 | Slovenia | 24.3%62 |
3 | Belarus | 24.4%63 |
4 | Ukraine | 25.6%63 |
5= | Netherlands | 25.7%62 |
5= | Moldova | 25.7%62 |
7 | Iceland | 26.1%64 |
8 | Czechia | 26.2%62 |
9= | UAE | 26.4%65 |
9= | Kyrgyzstan | 26.4%66 |
11 | Belgium | 26.6%62 |
12= | Syria | 26.6%66 |
Europe Avg | 30.7% | |
World Avg | 36.5% | |
q=167. |
Iceland had the 6th-lowest income inequality in the world in the 2010s.
#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #humanism #iceland #islam #judaism #religion
Disbelief In God (2007)67 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better %67 | |
1 | Vietnam | 81 |
2 | Japan | 65 |
3 | Sweden | 64 |
... | ||
29= | Switzerland | 17 |
29= | Belarus | 17 |
31 | Greece | 16 |
32= | Iceland | 16 |
33 | Spain | 15 |
34= | Israel | 15 |
35 | Armenia | 14 |
36= | Lithuania | 13 |
36= | Singapore | 13 |
38 | Kazakhstan | 12 |
39= | China | 12 |
39= | Uruguay | 12 |
41 | USA | 10 |
42 | Trinidad & Tobago | 9 |
43 | Albania | 8 |
44= | Dominican Rep. | 7 |
World Avg | 9.9 | |
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 below68:
Christian | 95% |
Muslim | 0.2% |
Hindu | 0.3% |
Buddhist | 0.4% |
Folk Religion | 0.5% |
Jewish | 0.1% |
Unaffiliated | 3.5% |
By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 95.3% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (16%). 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!).
The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Lutheran Church of Iceland (official) 80.7%, Roman Catholic 2.5%, Reykjavik Free Church 2.4%, Hafnarfjorour Free Church 1.6%, other religions 3.6%, unaffiliated 3%, other or unspecified 6.2% (2006 est.)69.
The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)70, in which they document bias and prejudice at the national level that is based on religion, belief and/or lack of belief. Their entry for Iceland states:
“The constitution and other laws and policies protect freedom of religion. However, the state financially supports and promotes Lutheranism as the country's official religion. The Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC), which is the state church, enjoys some advantages not available to other religion and belief groups. Members of religious communities are allowed to designate part of their income tax to go to their church, but the non-religious have consistently been refused the right to designate their Humanist Association to enjoy the same privilege.”
"Freedom of Thought" by IHEU (2012)71
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