Iceland (Republic of Iceland)

Iceland Republic of Iceland
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	9th 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
   1. Health Datasets
   2. Children's Health Datasets
6. Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Iceland's Modernity and Learning
   1. Modernity Datasets
   2. Education Datasets
   3. Technology and Information Datasets
8. Iceland's Culture, Peace and Inequality
   1. National Culture Datasets
   2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets
   3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets
9. Religion and Beliefs
10. 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	Denmark	27.2
2	Norway	29.2
3	Sweden	30.2
4	Netherlands	30.8
5	Switzerland	31.7
6	Finland	32.8
7	Luxembourg	36.6
8	Belgium	37.6
9	Iceland	38.0
10	Japan	38.4
11	Germany	38.7
12	France	39.4
	Europe Avg	57.3
	World Avg	89.2
q=200.

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 Datasets:

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, once you take mortality into account₁₃. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₄

Ongoing urbanisation has meant that from the year 1923, most Icelanders lived in cities rather than the countryside₁₅. As of 2005, Iceland was the most urbanised country in Scandinavia, "with half its population in the capital of Reykjavik alone"₁₅.

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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best16
Pos.		202216
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. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better17
Pos.		2016 Per 10017
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 Datasets:

Immigrants18
Pos.		2017 %18
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.

Emigrants19
Pos.		2010 %19
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 #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #iceland_freedom #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)20
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank20
1	Sweden	7.5
2	Netherlands	8.6
3	Denmark	9.0
4	Norway	9.1
5	Iceland	15.3
6	Canada	17.0
7	Finland	17.7
8	Luxembourg	18.1
9	Belgium	18.7
10	New Zealand	19.4
	Europe Avg	52.39
	World Avg	90.04
q=198.

When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Iceland leads the world, setting excellent examples. Iceland performs the best in its average Freedom in the World rating. It comes in the best 20 when it comes to opposing gender inequality₂₁, freethought₂₂, supporting press freedom₂₃ and in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₄. And finally, it does better than average in LGBT equality in the 2020s₂₅ and in its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₆.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights, Equality and Freedom in Iceland

5. Iceland's Health

#health

Compared to Europe (2025)27
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank27
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	San Marino	42.3
4	Sweden	45.1
5	Norway	45.3
6	Iceland	46.8
7	France	48.9
8	Luxembourg	49.8
9	Denmark	49.9
10	Netherlands	50.0
11	Switzerland	51.5
12	Finland	52.3
13	Belgium	54.1
	Europe Avg	68.59
q=48.

Health (2025)27
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank27
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Japan	40.8
4	San Marino	42.3
5	Singapore	43.3
6	Sweden	45.1
7	Norway	45.3
8	Iceland	46.8
9	France	48.9
10	Luxembourg	49.8
11	Denmark	49.9
12	Netherlands	50.0
	World Avg	97.39
q=207.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and Japan₂₈. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan₂₈.

42 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, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 and childhood mortality. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₂₈, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Melanesia₂₈.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

5.1. Health Datasets

#2010s #alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #iceland #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #smoking #suicide

Iceland does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Iceland comes in the best 20 when it comes to childhood mortality in the 2020s₂₉, its average life expectancy₁₁ and in its adolescent birth rate₃₀. It does better than average in terms of its smoking rate₃₁, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₂, its fertility rate₁₆ and in delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s₃₃. But, things could still be better. Iceland does worse than average in delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015₃₄, its alcohol consumption rate₃₅ (still low for Europe), its suicide rate₃₆ and in the prevalence of overweight adults₃₇. The number 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 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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better35
Pos.		2016 Per Capita35
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 best16
Pos.		202216
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. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better31
Pos.		Smoking in the 2020s %31
1	Nigeria	3.3%
2	Ghana	3.4%
3	Panama	5.2%
	...
24	Costa Rica	8.9%
25	El Salvador	8.9%
26	UAE	9.0%
27	Iceland	9.3%
28	Tanzania	9.3%
29	Mauritania	9.5%
30	Swaziland	9.5%
31	Jamaica	9.7%
	Europe Avg	27.0%
	World Avg	20.0%
q=165. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Suicide Rate in the 2010s Lower is better36
Pos.		Suicide Rate in the 2010s Per 100k36
1=	Jordan	1.00
1=	Sao Tome & Principe	1.00
1=	Antigua & Barbuda	1.00
	...
136	New Zealand	12.10
137	Trinidad & Tobago	12.23
138	Samoa	12.44
139=	Iceland	12.55
139=	Botswana	12.55
141	Canada	12.58
142	Portugal	12.74
143	Australia	12.83
	Europe Avg	12.94
	World Avg	9.24
q=185. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
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 better37
Pos.		1976 %37
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
153=	Chile	40.4
154	Uruguay	40.5
155=	UK	40.6
155=	Iceland	40.6
155=	Canada	40.6
158	Poland	40.8
159	Jordan	41.0
160=	Lebanon	41.2
	Europe Avg	38.2
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better38
Pos.		2022 %38
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
89	Morocco	22.1%
90	Slovenia	22.2%
91	Malaysia	22.4%
92	Iceland	22.6%
93	Venezuela	22.8%
94	Israel	23.4%
95	Cuba	23.5%
96	Finland	23.7%
	Europe Avg	25.9%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

5.2. Children's Health Datasets

#children's_health #health #parenting #population #vaccines

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better30
Pos.		2022 Per 100030
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
15	Finland	4.1
16	Luxembourg	4.2
17	Slovenia	4.4
18	Iceland	5.1
19	Belgium	5.1
20	Austria	5.2
21	Kuwait	5.3
22	Ireland	5.9
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better33
Pos.		Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Avg %33
1=	Luxembourg	99.0
1=	Oman	99.0
1=	Niue	99.0
	...
86=	Trinidad & Tobago	94.6
86=	Armenia	94.6
88	Kiribati	94.5
89=	Iceland	94.4
89=	Italy	94.4
91	Australia	94.2
92	Palestine	94.0
93	Turks & Caicos Islands	94.0
	Europe Avg	93.2
	World Avg	88.5
q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) Higher is better34
Pos.		2015 Avg %34
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.

Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better29
Pos.		Infant Mortality (2020s) Per 100029
1	San Marino	2.11
2	Finland	2.59
3	Luxembourg	2.60
4	Iceland	2.64
5	Singapore	2.68
6	Slovenia	2.72
7	Norway	2.78
8=	Sweden	2.87
8=	Japan	2.87
10	Cyprus	3.03
11	Czechia	3.18
12	Estonia	3.39
	Europe Avg	6.30
	World Avg	32.19
q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

6. Responsibility Towards The Environment

#climate_change #energy #Iceland #iceland_and_the_environment #Iceland_environment #sustainability #the_environment

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)39
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank39
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
140	Israel	95.8
141	Tonga	96.1
142=	St Kitts & Nevis	96.9
142=	Iceland	96.9
144=	Laos	97.0
144=	Estonia	97.0
	Europe Avg	82.54
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

Iceland's environmental landscape is the most heavily damaged in Europe after the actions of early settlers₄₀. "Most of the country's original trees and vegetation have been destroyed, and about half of the original soils have eroded into the ocean"₄₀. In 1965 and 1967, NASA used barren locations in Iceland to train astronauts for the moon landing₄₀. But its modern governments have been putting extreme efforts into rectifying the country's environmental situation. Iceland is positioned 142nd in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 21 data sets. Iceland performs the best in terms of its score on the Green Future Index₄₁. It comes in the best 20 in terms of its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₂ and in its environmental performance₄₃. Iceland does not succeed in everything, however. Iceland does worse than average when it comes to its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment and in reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₄. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 when it comes to the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₅ (amongst the worst in Europe) and in energy to GDP efficiency₄₆ (the worst in Europe).

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Iceland's Responsibility Towards The Environment

7. Iceland's Modernity and Learning

#education #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2025)47
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank47
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
4	Sweden	10.4
5	Norway	11.1
6	Switzerland	11.2
7	Belgium	11.4
8	Germany	12.8
9	Netherlands	13.1
10	Austria	14.0
11	Czechia	19.7
12	Luxembourg	20.8
13	France	21.1
	Europe Avg	34.74
q=48.

Modernity & Learning (2025)47
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank47
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
4	Sweden	10.4
5	Norway	11.1
6	Switzerland	11.2
7	Belgium	11.4
8	Germany	12.8
9	Netherlands	13.1
10	Austria	14.0
11	New Zealand	18.2
12	Czechia	19.7
	World Avg	84.96
q=197.

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, Iceland and Denmark₄₈. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia₄₈. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₄₉.

“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)₅₀

27 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Intellectual Endeavours, metric system adoption rate, Religiosity, IQ, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Maths, Science & Reading, 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 Europe₄₈, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₄₈.

For more, see:

• " Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

7.1. Modernity Datasets

#intelligence #metric #research #science

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2951
2	Israel	4.1151
3	Japan	3.5851
	...
16=	Singapore	2.0052
16=	Czechia	2.0051
18	Netherlands	1.9751
19	Iceland	1.8951
20=	Norway	1.7051
20=	UK	1.7051
22	Canada	1.6151
23	Ireland	1.5251
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
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.

Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better53
Pos.		2025 %53
1=	Slovakia	100
1=	Poland	100
1=	Portugal	100
1=	Romania	100
1=	Finland	100
1=	San Marino	100
1=	Iceland	100
1=	Belgium	100
1=	Liechtenstein	100
1=	Austria	100
1=	France	100
1=	Australia	100
	Europe Avg	97
	World Avg	92
q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Iceland officially adopted metric in 1900₅₄. Progression:

• 1960 (100%): Metric officially used; minor colloquial legacy only.
• 1970 (100%).
• 1980 (100%).
• 2000 (100%).
• 2025 (100%).

IQ Higher is better55
Pos.		200655
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
11=	Norway	100
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

7.2. Education Datasets

#australia #belgium #education #english #iceland #maths #science

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.₅₆

Secondary Education Higher is better57
Pos.		201857
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 better58
Pos.		2021 Years58
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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better59
Pos.		2015 Score59
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.

7.3. Technology and Information Datasets

#the_internet

Internet Users (2020s) Higher is better
Pos.		Internet Users (2020s)
1=	Iceland	99%
1=	Kuwait	99%
1=	UAE	99%
1=	Qatar	99%
1=	Bahrain	99%
6	Monaco	99%
7	Saudi Arabia	99%
8	Luxembourg	99%
9	Denmark	98%
10	Brunei	98%
11	Norway	98%
12	S. Korea	97%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	67.8%
q=188. Also scored for 1990s-2020s.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better60
Pos.		2017 Ratio60
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. Iceland's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#charitability #culture #equality #human_development #inequality #peace

Compared to Europe (2025)61
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank61
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
8	Austria	18.9
9	Luxembourg	19.0
10	Ireland	20.2
11	Iceland	22.4
12	Belgium	24.2
13	UK	25.3
14	Slovenia	29.0
15	France	30.3
16	Malta	31.8
	Europe Avg	46.24
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2025)61
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank61
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
11	Luxembourg	19.0
12	Ireland	20.2
13	Canada	20.9
14	Iceland	22.4
15	Belgium	24.2
16	Australia	25.1
17	UK	25.3
18	Hong Kong	28.6
	World Avg	80.47
q=183.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 39 datasets, including multiple decades of data on resisting corruption, Creativity and Culture, overall happiness, Open Trading, Aid and Development, passport utility (so far), personal financial stability, World Giving Index, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, poverty (so far), life expectancy inequality, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

• "Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2026).

8.1. National Culture Datasets

#charity #corruption #denmark #finland #freedom #happiness #iceland #internationalism #morals #politics

Corruption Higher is better62
Pos.		2022 Points62
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
18=	Japan	73.0
18=	Belgium	73.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

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.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
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.

Happiness Higher is better63
Pos.		2024 Score63
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
4	Sweden	7.3
5	Netherlands	7.3
6	Costa Rica	7.3
7	Norway	7.3
8	Israel	7.2
9	Luxembourg	7.1
10	Mexico	7.0
11	Australia	7.0
12	New Zealand	7.0
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147. Also scored for 2010s.

In 2014, after steady improvements, Iceland became the 2^nd happiest country in the world! In the early 2020s, it spent a good few years as 3^rd-happiest after Finland and Denmark.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
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.

Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better64
Pos.		Passport Reach (2020s) Q64
1	Singapore	192.2
2	Japan	192.0
3	S. Korea	190.7
	...
31=	Latvia	182.2
31=	Slovenia	182.2
31=	Estonia	182.2
34	Iceland	181.2
35	Malaysia	179.8
36	Liechtenstein	179.2
37	UAE	178.0
38	Cyprus	177.0
	Europe Avg	160.7
	World Avg	108.8
q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Higher is better65
Pos.		Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Score65
1	Denmark	9.06
2	Switzerland	9.00
3	Finland	8.96
	...
7	Luxembourg	8.82
8	Sweden	8.82
9	Singapore	8.78
10	Iceland	8.76
11	Japan	8.74
12	Germany	8.64
13	Hong Kong	8.62
14	Austria	8.59
	Europe Avg	7.65
	World Avg	6.46
q=165.

World Giving Index Higher is better66
Pos.		2022 %66
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. Also scored for 2010s.

8.2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets

#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 Earth₆₇. 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"₆₈.

Global Peace Index Lower is better69
Pos.		2023 Score69
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. Also scored for 2010s.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
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 better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
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 better70
Pos.		2019 Score70
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
17=	Iceland	0.03
19=	Panama	0.04
19=	Guyana	0.04
21	UAE	0.05
22	Slovakia	0.06
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

8.3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets

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

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better71
Pos.		201971
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
4=	Sweden	2.90
4=	Slovenia	2.90
4=	Japan	2.90
7=	Finland	3.00
7=	Czechia	3.00
7=	Norway	3.00
7=	S. Korea	3.00
7=	Spain	3.00
12=	Netherlands	3.10
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better72
Pos.		2023 %72
1	Slovakia	24.1%73
2	Slovenia	24.3%73
3	Belarus	24.4%74
4	Ukraine	25.6%74
5=	Moldova	25.7%73
5=	Netherlands	25.7%73
7	Iceland	26.1%75
8	Czechia	26.2%73
9=	Kyrgyzstan	26.4%76
9=	UAE	26.4%77
11=	Syria	26.6%76
11=	Azerbaijan	26.6%78
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s.

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

9. Religion and Beliefs

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

Disbelief In God (2007)79
Pos.		Higher is better %79
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
29=	Switzerland	17
29=	Belarus	17
31=	Greece	16
31=	Iceland	16
33=	Spain	15
33=	Israel	15
35	Armenia	14
36=	Lithuania	13
36=	Singapore	13
38=	Kazakhstan	12
38=	China	12
38=	Uruguay	12
41	USA	10
42	Trinidad & Tobago	9
43	Albania	8
44=	Dominican Rep.	7
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Pew Forum polling over the decades has found the following adherency rates:₈₀:

	2010	2020
Christian	81.3%	74.9%
Unaffiliated	15.9%	19.8%
Other	1.48%	2.37%
Buddhist	0.422%	1.34%
Muslim	0.723%	1.21%
Hindu	0.126%	0.16%
Jewish	<0.1%	0.155%

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.)₈₁.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)₈₂, 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)₈₃

Links:

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