The Human Truth Foundation

Iceland (Republic of Iceland)

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

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#iceland #scandinavia

Iceland
Republic of Iceland
Flag
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index6th best
CapitalReykjavik
Land Area 100 250km21
LocationEurope, Scandinavia
Population0.3m2
Life Expectancy82.68yrs (2017)3
GNI$55 782 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesIS, ISL, 3525
Internet Domain.is6
CurrencyKrona (ISK)7
Telephone+3548

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

Book CoverA 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
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
4Hong Kong0.952
5Australia0.951
6Denmark0.948
7Sweden0.947
8Ireland0.945
9Germany0.942
10Netherlands0.941
11Finland0.940
12Singapore0.939
Europe Avg0.87
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
...
11UAE$62 574
12Denmark$60 365
13Netherlands$55 979
14Iceland$55 782
15Germany$54 534
16Sweden$54 489
17Austria$53 619
18Kuwait$52 920
Europe Avg$40 512
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Denmark25.7
2Norway26.2
3Sweden28.6
4Netherlands29.9
5Finland30.2
6Iceland30.7
7New Zealand32.3
8Switzerland33.6
9Australia34.7
10Austria35.2
11Ireland36.1
12Canada36.1
Europe Avg55.7
World Avg89.8
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.

3. Iceland's Demographics and Migration

#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 8.86.13

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
170Brunei0.4m
171Bahamas0.4m
172Belize0.4m
173Iceland0.3m
174Vanuatu0.3m
175Barbados0.3m
176Sao Tome & Principe0.2m
177Samoa0.2m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
11Sweden83.0
12Italy82.9
13Singapore82.8
14Iceland82.7
15Canada82.7
16Luxembourg82.6
17France82.5
18New Zealand82.5
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.202214
1US Virgin Islands2.00
2Ecuador2.00
3Nepal2.01
...
65Saudi Arabia2.39
66Macedonia1.60
67Libya2.40
68Iceland1.59
69Dominica1.59
70Antigua & Barbuda1.58
71Armenia1.58
72St Martin2.39
World Avg2.47
q=208.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
15
Pos.2016
Per 10015
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
146Slovakia31.6
147Albania31.8
148Norway32.2
149Iceland32.5
150Serbia32.7
151Hungary32.9
152Romania33.6
153USA33.8
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.2017
%16
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
42UK13.4%
43Latvia13.2%
44Spain12.8%
45Iceland12.5%
46Libya12.4%
47France12.2%
48Barbados12.1%
49Djibouti12.1%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants17
Pos.2010
%17
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
48Swaziland13.4%
49Lithuania13.2%
50Romania13.1%
51Iceland13.0%
52Bahamas12.8%
53Estonia12.6%
54Nicaragua12.5%
55Latvia12.3%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #iceland_freedom #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank18
1Sweden6.4
2Denmark8.6
3Norway9.1
4Netherlands9.8
5Iceland12.5
6New Zealand12.9
7Austria14.4
8Canada14.7
9Luxembourg15.7
10Australia15.9
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg86.5
q=199.
When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Iceland leads the world, setting excellent examples. Iceland performs the best for its average Freedom in the World rating. It comes in the best 20 in freethought19, LGBT equality20, supporting press freedom21, opposing gender inequality22 and in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice23. And finally, it does better than average when it comes to supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms24, its nominal commitment to Human Rights25 and in eliminating modern slavery26.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Iceland's Health

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

Compared to Europe (2025)27
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank27
1Monaco14.3
2Liechtenstein30.1
3Isle of Man32.1
4San Marino37.2
5Norway39.9
6Gibraltar40.6
7Sweden43.3
8=France44.1
9Iceland45.9
10Finland46.9
11Denmark47.2
12Switzerland48.5
13Netherlands50.2
Europe Avg86.9
q=52.
Health (2025)27
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank27
1Monaco14.3
2Liechtenstein30.1
3Isle of Man32.1
...
8Sweden43.3
9=Japan44.1
9=France44.1
11Iceland45.9
12Finland46.9
13Denmark47.2
14Hong Kong48.2
15Switzerland48.5
World Avg96.7
q=212.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man28. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria28.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans28, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia28.

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 rate29. It does better than average in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance30, its fertility rate14 and in its smoking rate31 (the best in Europe). But, things still need to improve in Iceland. Iceland does worse than average in its suicide rate32 (still low for Europe), its immunizations take-up33 and in its alcohol consumption rate34 (still good for Europe). The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. 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 better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
11Sweden83.0
12Italy82.9
13Singapore82.8
14Iceland82.7
15Canada82.7
16Luxembourg82.6
17France82.5
18New Zealand82.5
Europe Avg78.36
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
34
Pos.2016
Per Capita34
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
133=Cameroon8.9
133=Canada8.9
135Rwanda9.0
136Iceland9.1
137Sweden9.2
138=Chile9.3
138=Grenada9.3
138=S. Africa9.3
Europe Avg10.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.202214
1US Virgin Islands2.00
2Ecuador2.00
3Nepal2.01
...
65Saudi Arabia2.39
66Macedonia1.60
67Libya2.40
68Iceland1.59
69Dominica1.59
70Antigua & Barbuda1.58
71Armenia1.58
72St Martin2.39
Europe Avg1.53
World Avg2.47
q=208.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
31
Pos.201431
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
85Cape Verde 515
86Tajikistan 533
87S. Africa 537
88Iceland 551
89Norway 556
90Gabon 559
91Venezuela 565
92Uzbekistan 573
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate32
Pos.2013
Per 100k32
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
53USA22.2
54Chile22.4
55Canada22.7
56Iceland23.5
57New Zealand23.6
58Ireland23.7
59Norway23.8
60=Denmark23.9
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
...
38Pakistan38
39Portugal39
40Brazil40
41Iceland41
42El Salvador42
43Russia43
44Turkey44
45Mexico45
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better
35
Pos.2016
%35
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
130Suriname58.9
131Colombia59.0
132=Cyprus59.1
132=Iceland59.1
134Montenegro59.4
135=Belarus59.4
136France59.5
137=Belgium59.5
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
29
Pos.2022
Per 100029
1Hong Kong1.6
2Denmark1.8
3S. Korea2.1
...
15Finland4.1
16Luxembourg4.2
17Slovenia4.4
18Iceland5.1
19Belgium5.1
20Austria5.2
21Kuwait5.3
22Ireland5.9
Europe Avg11.4
World Avg43.8
q=195.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
33
Pos.2015
Avg %33
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
112Malawi91.7
113Mexico91.6
114Moldova91.5
115Iceland91.5
116Trinidad & Tobago91.4
117Jamaica90.9
118Burkina Faso90.6
119Nepal90.1
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
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)36
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank36
1Italy57.4
2Greece61.5
3Denmark64.3
4=France65.4
5Switzerland66.0
6Bulgaria68.8
7Romania69.0
8Spain69.8
9Iceland70.1
10UK71.8
11=Azerbaijan71.9
12Germany73.3
13Slovakia73.4
Europe Avg80.6
q=43.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)36
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank36
1Uruguay46.1
2Cuba52.0
3Fiji53.7
...
24Romania69.0
25Spain69.8
26Burundi69.9
27Iceland70.1
28Iran70.4
29Yemen70.7
30Dominican Rep.71.4
31UK71.8
World Avg94.3
q=190.
With regard to its responsibility towards the environment, Iceland comes 27th in the world. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. Iceland does the best in its score on the Green Future Index37. It comes in the best 20 for its forested percent change 2000-202038 and in its environmental performance39. It does better than average in terms of how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. Iceland doesn't do so well in other areas. Iceland does worse than average when it comes to reducing annual meat consumption per person40. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 when it comes to energy to GDP efficiency41 (amongst the worst in Europe) and in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population42 (one of the worst in Europe).

Forest Area Change 2000-2020
Higher is better
38
Pos.Total38
1Guernsey82.6%
2Bahrain75.2%
3Iceland64.7%
4Burundi44.2%
5Uruguay43.8%
6Montenegro32.1%
7Malta31.4%
8Cuba31.0%
9Kuwait28.9%
10Uzbekistan23.3%
11Algeria23.1%
12China23.0%
Europe Avg8.2%
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 better
39
Pos.201839
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
8Austria79.0
9Ireland78.8
10Finland78.6
11Iceland78.6
12Spain78.4
13Germany78.4
14Norway77.5
15Belgium77.4
Europe Avg69.6
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Higher is better41
Pos.201441
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
...
112Ukraine03.28
113Togo02.88
114Ethiopia02.81
115Mozambique02.47
116Iceland02.41
117Zimbabwe02.31
118Trinidad & Tobago02.07
119Serbia00.72
Europe Avg09.80
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.Total
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
85Kazakhstan1994 Dec 05
86El Salvador1994 Dec 07
87Chile1994 Dec 08
88Iceland1994 Dec 11
89Venezuela1994 Dec 12
90Comoros1994 Dec 28
91=S. Korea1995 Jan 01
91=Bolivia1995 Jan 01
Europe Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better42
Pos.2011
%42
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
137China15.1%
138Denmark14.9%
139Libya14.6%
140Iceland13.1%
141Uzbekistan11.3%
142Tajikistan11.1%
143Haiti10.0%
144Albania9.4%
Europe Avg33.6%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
40
Pos.2021
kg40
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
151Czechia82.4
152Bahrain82.8
153Qatar83.0
154=Iceland83.6
154=Lithuania83.6
156UAE84.3
157Panama85.0
158Luxembourg85.8
Europe Avg71.1
World Avg52.5
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.40

Green Future Index
Higher is better
37
Pos.2023
Score37
1Iceland6.7
2Finland6.7
3Norway6.4
4=Sweden6.3
4=Denmark6.3
6Netherlands6.2
7UK6.1
8S. Korea6.0
9France6.0
10=Spain5.9
10=Germany5.9
12Belgium5.8
Europe Avg5.6
World Avg4.8
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.43

7. Iceland's Modernity and Learning

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

Compared to Europe (2020)44
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank44
1Finland7.1
2Belgium12.9
3Denmark13.6
4Iceland15.0
5Sweden15.8
6Germany16.3
7Switzerland17.4
8Estonia17.9
9Norway18.3
10UK19.4
11Netherlands19.5
12Ireland19.8
13Austria19.9
Europe Avg39.8
q=45.
Modernity & Learning (2020)44
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank44
1Finland7.1
2Belgium12.9
3Denmark13.6
4Iceland15.0
5New Zealand15.2
6Sweden15.8
7Germany16.3
8Australia16.6
9Switzerland17.4
10Estonia17.9
11Norway18.3
12UK19.4
World Avg86.3
q=190.

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.45

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2946
2Israel4.1146
3Japan3.5846
...
16=Singapore2.0047
16=Czechia2.0046
18Netherlands1.9746
19Iceland1.8946
20=Norway1.7046
20=UK1.7046
22Canada1.6146
23Ireland1.5246
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
48
Pos.201848
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
1=Canada100.0%
1=Finland100.0%
1=Iceland100.0%
7Uzbekistan99.9%
8Czechia99.8%
9Slovakia99.3%
10Latvia99.2%
11Kazakhstan98.6%
12Kyrgyzstan98.4%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
49
Pos.2021
Years49
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
4Belgium19.6
5Sweden19.4
6Iceland19.2
7Finland19.1
8Ireland18.9
9Denmark18.7
10Netherlands18.7
11Grenada18.7
12Turkey18.3
Europe Avg16.1
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
12New Zealand12
13Latvia13
14Bulgaria14
15Iceland15
16Bosnia & Herzegovina16
17Sweden17
18Lithuania18
19Macedonia19
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading
Higher is better
50
Pos.2015
Score50
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
...
32Latvia1460
33Italy1456
34Luxembourg1450
35Iceland1443
36Croatia1426
37Lithuania1425
38Hungary1424
39Israel1416
Europe Avg1417
World Avg1389
q=70.
IQ
Higher is better51
Pos.200651
1=Hong Kong108
1=Singapore108
3S. Korea106
4=Japan105
4=Taiwan105
4=China105
7Italy102
8=Iceland101
8=Switzerland101
8=Mongolia101
11Netherlands100
12=Norway100
Europe Avg96.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
52
Pos.201652
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
4Bermuda97%
5Andorra97%
6Denmark96%
7Liechtenstein96%
8Luxembourg95%
9Netherlands94%
10Sweden93%
11Monaco93%
12UK93%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
53
Pos.2017
Ratio53
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
...
57Mexico0.4
58Bhutan0.4
59China0.3
60Iceland0.3
61Turkey0.3
62=Uruguay0.3
62=Moldova0.3
64UAE0.3
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

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

World Giving Index
Higher is better
54
Pos.2022
%54
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
23=Netherlands46.0
23=Jamaica46.0
23=Russia46.0
23=Iceland46.0
23=Honduras46.0
23=Mongolia46.0
23=Denmark46.0
23=Uganda46.0
Europe Avg39.0
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
55
Pos.2022
Points55
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
...
13Australia75.0
14=Estonia74.0
14=Uruguay74.0
14=Iceland74.0
14=Canada74.0
18UK73.0
19=Japan73.0
19=Belgium73.0
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
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 better
56
Pos.2018
Score56
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
4Iceland7.5
5Switzerland7.5
6Netherlands7.4
7Canada7.3
8New Zealand7.3
9Sweden7.3
10Australia7.3
11Israel7.2
12Austria7.1
Europe Avg6.06
World Avg5.38
q=156.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
34S. Korea34
35New Zealand35
36Belize36
37Iceland37
38Croatia38
39Bulgaria39
40Marshall Islands40
41Malaysia41
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
...
102Australia102
103Madagascar103
104Dominica104
105Iceland105
106Bolivia106
107Ghana107
108Mexico108
109Thailand109
Europe Avg42.6
World Avg82.0
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 Earth57. 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"58.

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
59
Pos.2023
Score59
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
4New Zealand1.31
5Austria1.32
6Singapore1.33
7Portugal1.33
8Slovenia1.33
9Japan1.34
10Switzerland1.34
11Canada1.35
12Czechia1.38
Europe Avg1.70
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
74Jamaica74
75Guyana75
76Fiji76
77Iceland77
78Turkey78
79Georgia79
80Albania80
81Gabon81
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
30
Pos.2017
Rank30
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
...
39Turkey39
40Malaysia40
41Montenegro41
42Iceland42
43Hungary43
44Kenya44
45Serbia45
46Bolivia46
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
60
Pos.2019
Score60
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
15=Trinidad & Tobago0.02
15=Uzbekistan0.02
17Qatar0.03
18=Iceland0.03
19Panama0.04
20=Guyana0.04
21UAE0.05
22Slovakia0.06
Europe Avg1.62
World Avg2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

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

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better61
Pos.201961
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
4Sweden2.90
5=Slovenia2.90
5=Japan2.90
7Finland3.00
8=Czechia3.00
8=Norway3.00
8=S. Korea3.00
8=Spain3.00
12Netherlands3.10
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better
62
Pos.2023
%62
1Slovakia24.1%63
2Slovenia24.3%63
3Belarus24.4%64
4Ukraine25.6%64
5=Moldova25.7%63
5=Netherlands25.7%63
7Iceland26.1%65
8Czechia26.2%63
9=Kyrgyzstan26.4%66
9=UAE26.4%67
11Syria26.6%66
12=Azerbaijan26.6%68
Europe Avg30.7%
World Avg36.5%
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)69
Pos.Higher is better
%69
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
...
29=Switzerland17
29=Belarus17
31Greece16
32=Iceland16
33Spain15
34=Israel15
35Armenia14
36=Lithuania13
36=Singapore13
38Kazakhstan12
39=China12
39=Uruguay12
41USA10
42Trinidad & Tobago9
43Albania8
44=Dominican Rep.7
World Avg9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below70:

Christian95%
Muslim0.2%
Hindu0.3%
Buddhist0.4%
Folk Religion0.5%
Jewish0.1%
Unaffiliated3.5%

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.)71.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)72, 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)73

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