Iceland (Republic of Iceland)

Iceland Republic of Iceland
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	6th 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

1. Overview
2. Iceland National and Social Development
3. Iceland's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Iceland's Health
6. Iceland's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Iceland's Modernity and Learning
8. National Culture
9. Peace Versus Instability
10. Economic Inequality and Poverty
11. Religion and Beliefs
12. Links

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1. Overview

#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.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Iceland National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better Value11
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
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	Norway	28.6
2	Denmark	28.7
3	Finland	32.2
4	Sweden	32.4
5	Netherlands	33.3
6	Iceland	34.0
7	New Zealand	36.1
8	Switzerland	37.3
9	Germany	37.3
10	Austria	38.3
11	Australia	38.6
12	Canada	38.8
	Europe Avg	58.4
	World Avg	87.3
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. Iceland's Demographics and Migration

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

Population:

Iceland's population is predicted to rise to 389 985 by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 2.10. 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
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 best13
Pos.		201313
1	N. Korea	2.00
2	Brunei	1.99
3	St Vincent & Grenadines	2.01
	...
13	St Lucia	1.93
14	USA	2.08
15	Ireland	2.10
16	Iceland	2.10
17	Denmark	1.88
18	Bahamas	1.88
19	Finland	1.87
20	UK	1.87
	World Avg	2.81
q=180.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better14
Pos.		2016 Per 10014
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.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants15
Pos.		2017 %15
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.

Emigrants16
Pos.		2010 %16
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.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #gender #gender_equality #human_rights #iceland_gender #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance #women

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)17
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank17
1	Sweden	9.0
2	Norway	14.5
3	Denmark	14.5
4	Netherlands	15.6
5	New Zealand	17.3
6	Iceland	19.9
7	Canada	21.0
8	Austria	22.3
9	Luxembourg	23.7
10	Finland	23.8
	Europe Avg	51.4
	World Avg	87.9
q=199.

When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Iceland leads the world, setting excellent examples. Iceland comes in the best 20 in opposing gender inequality₁₈, freethought₁₉, LGBT equality₂₀, supporting press freedom₂₁ and in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₂. And finally, it does better than average for supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₃, its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₄ and in speed of uptake of HR treaties₂₅.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights, Equality and Freedom in Iceland

5. Iceland's Health

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

Compared to Europe (2020)26
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank26
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Norway	61.0
3=	Finland	65.3
	...
10	Germany	74.4
11	Austria	74.5
12	Sweden	75.6
13	Iceland	76.9
14=	Netherlands	77.0
15	Greece	77.4
16	Belgium	77.9
17	Armenia	78.4
18	Cyprus	78.6
	Europe Avg	82.5
q=46.

Health (2020)26
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank26
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Hong Kong	18.3
3	Maldives	41.0
	...
33	Antigua & Barbuda	75.6
34	Sweden	75.6
35	UAE	75.8
36	Iceland	76.9
37=	Netherlands	77.0
37=	Eritrea	77.0
39	Bahrain	77.3
40	Greece	77.4
	World Avg	93.5
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 Maldives₂₇. 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 Palau₂₇.

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 Mediterranean₂₇, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa₂₇.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

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, its adolescent birth rate₁₈ and in its fertility rate₁₃. It does better than average in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₂₈ and in its smoking rate₂₉ (the lowest in Europe). But, things could still be better. Iceland does worse than average when it comes to its suicide rate₃₀ (still good for Europe), its immunizations take-up₃₁ and in its alcohol consumption rate₃₂ (still low for Europe). The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% during 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.

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 better32
Pos.		2016 Per Capita32
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 best13
Pos.		201313
1	N. Korea	2.00
2	Brunei	1.99
3	St Vincent & Grenadines	2.01
	...
13	St Lucia	1.93
14	USA	2.08
15	Ireland	2.10
16	Iceland	2.10
17	Denmark	1.88
18	Bahamas	1.88
19	Finland	1.87
20	UK	1.87
	Europe Avg	1.61
	World Avg	2.81
q=180.

Smoking Rates Lower is better29
Pos.		201429
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 Rate30
Pos.		2013 Per 100k30
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 better28
Pos.		2017 Rank28
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 better33
Pos.		2016 %33
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 better18
Pos.		2015 Per 100018
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 better31
Pos.		2015 Avg %31
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.

6. Iceland's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #germany #iceland #meat #over-exploitation #singapore #south_korea #sustainability #taiwan #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2023)34
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank34
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)34
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank34
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.

Iceland comes 72nd in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. Iceland does the best in its score on the Green Future Index₃₅. It comes in the best 20 in its forested percent change 2000-2020₃₆ and in its environmental performance₃₇. It does better than average for how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. Iceland doesn't do so well in other areas. Iceland does worse than average in terms of annual meat consumption per person₃₈. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in energy to GDP efficiency₃₉ (one of the worst in Europe) and in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₀ (one of the worst in Europe).

Environmental Performance Higher is better37
Pos.		201837
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 better39
Pos.		201439
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 better40
Pos.		2011 %40
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 better38
Pos.		2021 kg38
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.₃₈

Green Future Index Higher is better35
Pos.		2023 Score35
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.₄₁

7. Iceland's Modernity and Learning

#australia #belgium #education #english #iceland #intelligence #maths #modernity #research #science #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)42
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank42
1	Finland	8.4
2	Switzerland	15.1
3	Estonia	15.8
4	Denmark	16.0
5	Belgium	16.1
6	Czechia	16.7
7	Sweden	18.6
8	Germany	18.6
9	Iceland	19.6
10	Austria	19.6
11	Norway	21.0
12	Slovenia	21.3
13	UK	21.5
	Europe Avg	41.2
q=49.

Modernity & Learning (2020)42
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank42
1	Finland	8.4
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	15.1
	...
9	Sweden	18.6
10	Germany	18.6
11	Australia	19.2
12	Iceland	19.6
13	Austria	19.6
14	Norway	21.0
15	Slovenia	21.3
16	UK	21.5
	World Avg	83.2
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.₄₃

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2944
2	Israel	4.1144
3	Japan	3.5844
	...
16=	Singapore	2.0045
16=	Czechia	2.0044
18	Netherlands	1.9744
19	Iceland	1.8944
20=	Norway	1.7044
20=	UK	1.7044
22	Canada	1.6144
23	Ireland	1.5244
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better46
Pos.		201846
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 better47
Pos.		2021 Years47
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 better28
Pos.		2017 Rank28
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 better48
Pos.		2015 Score48
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 better49
Pos.		200649
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 better50
Pos.		201650
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 better51
Pos.		2017 Ratio51
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.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #iceland #morals #politics

World Giving Index Higher is better52
Pos.		2022 %52
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 better53
Pos.		2022 Points53
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 better54
Pos.		2018 Score54
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 better28
Pos.		2017 Rank28
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 better28
Pos.		2017 Rank28
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.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#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 Earth₅₅. 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"₅₆.

Global Peace Index Lower is better57
Pos.		2023 Score57
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 better28
Pos.		2017 Rank28
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 better28
Pos.		2017 Rank28
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 better58
Pos.		2019 Score58
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.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #iceland #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better59
Pos.		201959
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 better60
Pos.		2023 %60
1	Slovakia	24.1%61
2	Slovenia	24.3%61
3	Belarus	24.4%62
4	Ukraine	25.6%62
5=	Netherlands	25.7%61
5=	Moldova	25.7%61
7	Iceland	26.1%63
8	Czechia	26.2%61
9=	UAE	26.4%64
9=	Kyrgyzstan	26.4%65
11	Belgium	26.6%61
12=	Syria	26.6%65
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Iceland had the 6th-lowest income inequality in the world in the 2010s.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #humanism #iceland #islam #judaism #religion

Disbelief In God (2007)66
Pos.		Higher is better %66
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 below₆₇:

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.)₆₈.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)₆₉, 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)₇₀

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?