https://www.humantruth.info/iceland.html
By Vexen Crabtree 2013
Iceland Republic of Iceland | ![]() |
---|---|
Status | Independent State |
Social and Moral Index | 15th 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 | 27.0 |
2 | Norway | 29.9 |
3 | Sweden | 31.8 |
... | ||
12 | Belgium | 39.4 |
13 | UK | 41.4 |
14 | Luxembourg | 41.4 |
15 | Iceland | 41.4 |
16 | Canada | 41.8 |
17 | Japan | 42.5 |
18 | France | 42.9 |
19 | Spain | 44.5 |
Europe Avg | 55.7 | |
World Avg | 88.6 | |
q=199. |
The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..
The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.
#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen
Population:
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 | 6.1 |
2 | Denmark | 8.6 |
3 | Norway | 9.0 |
4 | Netherlands | 9.8 |
5 | Iceland | 12.9 |
6 | New Zealand | 13.3 |
7 | Canada | 14.7 |
8 | Austria | 14.9 |
9 | Australia | 16.0 |
10 | Luxembourg | 16.2 |
Europe Avg | 47.37 | |
World Avg | 86.55 | |
q=199. |
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 (2025)27 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank27 | |
1 | Monaco | 14.3 |
2 | Liechtenstein | 30.1 |
3 | Isle of Man | 32.1 |
4 | San Marino | 37.2 |
5 | Norway | 39.9 |
6 | Gibraltar | 40.6 |
7 | Sweden | 43.3 |
8= | France | 44.1 |
9 | Iceland | 45.9 |
10 | Finland | 46.9 |
11 | Denmark | 47.2 |
12 | Switzerland | 48.5 |
13 | Netherlands | 50.2 |
Europe Avg | 86.87 | |
q=52. |
Health (2025)27 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank27 | |
1 | Monaco | 14.3 |
2 | Liechtenstein | 30.1 |
3 | Isle of Man | 32.1 |
... | ||
8 | Sweden | 43.3 |
9= | Japan | 44.1 |
9= | France | 44.1 |
11 | Iceland | 45.9 |
12 | Finland | 46.9 |
13 | Denmark | 47.2 |
14 | Hong Kong | 48.2 |
15 | Switzerland | 48.5 |
World Avg | 96.74 | |
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 when it comes to its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance30, its fertility rate14 and in its smoking rate31 (the best in Europe). Iceland does not succeed in everything, however. Iceland does worse than average in terms of 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% during the past 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 better34 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 Per Capita34 | |
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 better31 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201431 | |
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 Rate32 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2013 Per 100k32 | |
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 better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank30 | |
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 better35 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 %35 | |
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 better29 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 Per 100029 | |
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. |
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better33 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2015 Avg %33 | |
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 #environmentalism #food #germany #iceland #internationalism #meat #over-exploitation #singapore #south_korea #sustainability #taiwan #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism
Compared to Europe (2025)36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank36 | |
1 | Switzerland | 45.0 |
2 | Denmark | 50.4 |
3 | Liechtenstein | 56.8 |
... | ||
35= | Moldova | 92.1 |
36 | Malta | 92.2 |
37 | Ukraine | 94.8 |
38= | Iceland | 96.9 |
39 | Estonia | 97.0 |
40 | Montenegro | 97.3 |
41 | Azerbaijan | 101.2 |
42 | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 103.5 |
43 | Serbia | 104.8 |
Europe Avg | 86.45 | |
q=48. |
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank36 | |
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 |
145= | Estonia | 97.0 |
146 | Montenegro | 97.3 |
147 | Sudan | 97.8 |
World Avg | 84.93 | |
q=199. |
All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.
The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.
For more, see:
Iceland is positioned 142nd in the world when it comes to its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 7 data sets. Iceland does the best in its score on the Green Future Index37. It comes in the best 20 in its forested percent change 2000-202038 and in its environmental performance39. But, there's bad news too. Iceland does worse than average for its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment and in reducing annual meat consumption per person40. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in terms of the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population41 (amongst the lowest in Europe) and in energy to GDP efficiency42 (the worst in Europe).Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better38 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Total38 | |
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 better39 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201839 | |
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 Lower is better42 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 Avg42 | |
1 | Rwanda | 0.25 |
2 | Chad | 0.26 |
3 | Tanzania | 0.31 |
... | ||
158 | Mozambique | 2.38 |
159 | N. Korea | 2.46 |
160 | Laos | 2.75 |
161 | Iceland | 4.01 |
162 | Venezuela | 4.18 |
163 | Bahrain | 4.19 |
164 | Trinidad & Tobago | 4.64 |
165 | Turkmenistan | 4.69 |
Europe Avg | 1.25 | |
World Avg | 1.23 | |
q=165. |
International Accords on the Environment Higher is better | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Total Avg Rate | |
1 | Sweden | 83% |
2 | Canada | 82% |
3 | Norway | 81% |
... | ||
131 | Jamaica | 53% |
132 | Mali | 53% |
133 | Burundi | 53% |
134 | Iceland | 53% |
135 | Samoa | 52% |
136 | Zimbabwe | 52% |
137 | Suriname | 52% |
138 | St Vincent & Grenadines | 52% |
Europe Avg | 62.7% | |
World Avg | 57.5% | |
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 better40 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 kg40 | |
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.40
Green Future Index Higher is better37 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2023 Score37 | |
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.43
#australia #belgium #capitalism #charity #corruption #denmark #economics #education #english #extremism #finland #happiness #health #human_development #human_rights #iceland #inequality #intelligence #life_expectancy #maths #modernity #morals #peace #politics #religious_violence #research #science #social_development #technology #terrorism #the_internet
Compared to Europe (2020)44 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank44 | |
1 | Finland | 7.1 |
2 | Belgium | 12.9 |
3 | Denmark | 13.6 |
4 | Iceland | 15.0 |
5 | Sweden | 15.8 |
6 | Germany | 16.3 |
7 | Switzerland | 17.4 |
8 | Estonia | 17.9 |
9 | Norway | 18.3 |
10 | UK | 19.4 |
11 | Netherlands | 19.5 |
12 | Ireland | 19.8 |
13 | Austria | 19.9 |
Europe Avg | 39.81 | |
q=45. |
Modernity & Learning (2020)44 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank44 | |
1 | Finland | 7.1 |
2 | Belgium | 12.9 |
3 | Denmark | 13.6 |
4 | Iceland | 15.0 |
5 | New Zealand | 15.2 |
6 | Sweden | 15.8 |
7 | Germany | 16.3 |
8 | Australia | 16.6 |
9 | Switzerland | 17.4 |
10 | Estonia | 17.9 |
11 | Norway | 18.3 |
12 | UK | 19.4 |
World Avg | 86.31 | |
q=190. |
The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Belgium and Denmark45. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone45. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots46.
“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)47
15 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Intellectual Endeavours, Maths, Science & Reading, Religiosity, IQ, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe45, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia45.
For more, see:
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.48
Research & Development Higher is better | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2016 % RDP PPP | |
1 | S. Korea | 4.2949 |
2 | Israel | 4.1149 |
3 | Japan | 3.5849 |
... | ||
16= | Singapore | 2.0050 |
16= | Czechia | 2.0049 |
18 | Netherlands | 1.9749 |
19 | Iceland | 1.8949 |
20= | Norway | 1.7049 |
20= | UK | 1.7049 |
22 | Canada | 1.6149 |
23 | Ireland | 1.5249 |
Europe Avg | 1.32 | |
World Avg | 0.84 | |
q=126. |
Secondary Education Higher is better51 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201851 | |
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 better52 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2021 Years52 | |
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 better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank30 | |
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 better53 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2015 Score53 | |
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 better54 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 200654 | |
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 better55 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201655 | |
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 better56 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Ratio56 | |
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. |
National Culture:
World Giving Index Higher is better57 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 %57 | |
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 better58 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2022 Points58 | |
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 better59 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2024 Score59 | |
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. |
Creativity & Culture Lower is better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank30 | |
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 better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank30 | |
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. |
Peace Versus Instability:
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 Earth60. 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"61.
Global Peace Index Lower is better62 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2023 Score62 | |
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 better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank30 | |
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 better30 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2017 Rank30 | |
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 better63 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2019 Score63 | |
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. |
Economic Inequality and Poverty:
Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better64 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 201964 | |
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 better65 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2023 %65 | |
1 | Slovakia | 24.1%66 |
2 | Slovenia | 24.3%66 |
3 | Belarus | 24.4%67 |
4 | Ukraine | 25.6%67 |
5= | Moldova | 25.7%66 |
5= | Netherlands | 25.7%66 |
7 | Iceland | 26.1%68 |
8 | Czechia | 26.2%66 |
9= | Kyrgyzstan | 26.4%69 |
9= | UAE | 26.4%70 |
11 | Syria | 26.6%69 |
12= | Azerbaijan | 26.6%71 |
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)72 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better %72 | |
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 below73:
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.)74.
The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)75, 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)76
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