Iceland (Republic of Iceland)

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

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. Iceland's Culture, Peace and Inequality
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	27.0
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.

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
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.

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

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.

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
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.

When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Iceland leads the world, setting excellent examples. Iceland does the best for its average Freedom in the World rating. It comes in the best 20 for opposing gender inequality₁₉, freethought₂₀, LGBT equality₂₁, supporting press freedom₂₂ and in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₃. And finally, it does better than average in supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₄, its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₅ and in eliminating modern slavery₂₆.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights, Equality and Freedom in Iceland

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
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:

• "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 for its average life expectancy₁₁ and in its adolescent birth rate₂₉. It does better than average in terms of its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₀, its fertility rate₁₄ and in its smoking rate₃₁ (the lowest 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 number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over 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.

6. Iceland's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#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:

• " Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Iceland comes 142nd in the world with regard to its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 7 data sets. Iceland performs 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. Iceland still has work to do. 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 person₄₀. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₁ (one of the worst in Europe) and in energy to GDP efficiency₄₂ (the highest in Europe).

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.

Iceland's energy-to-GDP efficiency rate has been relatively stable for several decades, although very slowly declining. This, and the fact that many countries across the world improved, meant that in the 2010s it found itself to be the 2nd-least-efficient globally, on this metric.

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

7. Iceland's Modernity and Learning

#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:

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

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.

8. Iceland's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#capitalism #charitability #charity #corruption #culture #denmark #economics #equality #extremism #finland #happiness #health #human_development #human_rights #iceland #inequality #life_expectancy #morals #peace #politics #religious_violence #social_development #terrorism

Compared to Europe (2020)57
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank57
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
4	Finland	16.1
5	Sweden	19.6
6	Austria	20.7
7	Switzerland	21.2
8	Iceland	22.3
9	Ireland	22.8
10	Germany	24.4
11	Luxembourg	25.7
12	Belgium	31.3
13	UK	31.8
	Europe Avg	48.48
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2020)57
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank57
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
7	Singapore	20.2
8	Austria	20.7
9	Switzerland	21.2
10	Iceland	22.3
11	Ireland	22.8
12	Canada	23.1
13	Germany	24.4
14	Luxembourg	25.7
	World Avg	78.12
q=180.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 22 datasets, including multiple decades of data on World Giving Index, resisting corruption, overall happiness, Creativity and Culture, Open Trading, Aid and Development, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, Inequality in Life Expectancy, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

• "Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

National Culture:

World Giving Index Higher is better58
Pos.		2022 %58
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 better59
Pos.		2022 Points59
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 better60
Pos.		2024 Score60
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.

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.

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 Earth₆₁. 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"₆₂.

Global Peace Index Lower is better63
Pos.		2023 Score63
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 better64
Pos.		2019 Score64
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 better65
Pos.		201965
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 better66
Pos.		2023 %66
1	Slovakia	24.1%67
2	Slovenia	24.3%67
3	Belarus	24.4%68
4	Ukraine	25.6%68
5=	Moldova	25.7%67
5=	Netherlands	25.7%67
7	Iceland	26.1%69
8	Czechia	26.2%67
9=	Kyrgyzstan	26.4%70
9=	UAE	26.4%71
11	Syria	26.6%70
12=	Azerbaijan	26.6%72
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

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)73
Pos.		Higher is better %73
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 below₇₄:

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.)₇₅.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)₇₆, 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)₇₇

Links:

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