Italy (Italian Republic)

Italy Italian Republic
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	22nd best
Capital	Rome
Land Area	294 140km21
Location	Europe, The Mediterranean
Population	60.6m2
Life Expectancy	82.85yrs (2017)3
GNI	$42 840 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	IT, ITA, 3805
Internet Domain	.it6
Currency	Euro (EUR)7
Telephone	+398

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

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1. Overview

#germany

“Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy is a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include sluggish economic growth, high youth and female unemployment, organized crime, corruption, and economic disparities between southern Italy and the more prosperous north.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Italy is the ultimate dream date: impossibly good-looking, impeccably cultured and obscenely good in the kitchen. Endlessly inspiring and naturally flirtatious, it will leave you swooning. Italians really do know how to live well. Ever since the Etruscans came, liked what they saw and decided to stay and party, the locals have embraced the finer things in life. Here, family, faith, friendship, food and wine reign supreme, contributing to the famous Italian dolce vita (sweet life).

Travellers have been falling under Italy´s spell ever since the days of the 18th-century Grand Tour, enticed by its sun-kissed landscape, delectable cuisine and extraordinary art. This is the home of gently rolling Tuscan hills and postcard-perfect coastlines; the place where simple dishes such as pizza and pasta attain culinary perfection. It´s where Michelangelo shocked the establishment with his humanist sculptures and Caravaggio shocked everyone else with his criminal highjinks and darkly atmospheric paintings.

So make like Julius Caesar. Come and see - you´re sure to be conquered. If you get it right, travelling in the bel paese (beautiful country) is one of those rare experiences than cannot be overrated.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Italy 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
	...
27	Spain	0.905
28	France	0.903
29	Cyprus	0.896
30	Italy	0.895
31	Estonia	0.890
32	Czechia	0.889
33	Greece	0.887
34	Poland	0.876
	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
	...
27	UK	$45 225
28	S. Korea	$44 501
29	New Zealand	$44 057
30	Italy	$42 840
31	Japan	$42 274
32	Israel	$41 524
33	Slovenia	$39 746
34	Bahrain	$39 497
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	29.1
2	Norway	32.3
3	Sweden	34.1
	...
19	Liechtenstein	46.2
20	Spain	47.7
21	Slovenia	48.4
22	Italy	49.6
23	Taiwan	50.3
24	Portugal	50.5
25	S. Korea	52.5
26	Uruguay	56.4
	Europe Avg	55.7
	World Avg	88.9
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. Italy's Demographics and Migration

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

Population:

Italy's population is predicted to rise to 60.85 million 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 1.24. 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
	...
20	Thailand	69.4m
21	UK	67.1m
22	France	65.0m
23	Italy	60.6m
24	S. Africa	57.8m
25	Tanzania	56.3m
26	Myanmar (Burma)	53.7m
27	Kenya	51.4m
	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
	...
9	Norway	83.2
10	Spain	83.0
11	Sweden	83.0
12	Italy	82.9
13	Singapore	82.8
14	Iceland	82.7
15	Canada	82.7
16	Luxembourg	82.6
	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
	...
130	Japan	1.26
131	Botswana	2.75
132	Djibouti	2.76
133	Italy	1.24
134	Haiti	2.77
135	Mongolia	2.77
136	Swaziland	2.79
137	Jordan	2.79
	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
	...
178	Netherlands	41.9
179	Slovenia	42.7
180	Finland	43.3
181	Hong Kong	43.7
182	Portugal	44.7
183	Germany	47.7
184	Italy	48.6
185	Japan	53.1
	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%
	...
56	Belgium	11.1%
57	Greece	10.9%
58	Malta	10.6%
59	Italy	10.0%
60	Gambia	9.8%
61	Dominica	9.2%
62	Serbia	9.1%
63	Ivory Coast	9.0%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
96	Guatemala	6.1%
97	Brunei	6.0%
98	Netherlands	6.0%
99	Italy	5.8%
100	Benin	5.8%
101	Laos	5.7%
102	Turkey	5.6%
103	Comoros	5.6%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #Italy #italy_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
	...
17	Ireland	25.9
18	Slovenia	27.8
19	Switzerland	28.2
20	Italy	30.8
21	Portugal	31.3
22	Costa Rica	31.8
	Europe Avg	47.37
	World Avg	86.55
q=199.

Italy performs very well in ensuring human rights and freedom compared to most other countries. Italy does the best when it comes to its average Freedom in the World rating. It comes in the best 20 in terms of commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₁₉, opposing gender inequality₂₀, its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₁ and in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₂. It does better than average for its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₃, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₄, LGBT equality₂₅, eliminating modern slavery₂₆ and in supporting press freedom₂₇ (but low for Europe). But, things could still be better. Italy does worse than average in terms of freethought₂₈. In 2017, "parliament adopted a law finally making torture a crime, but with a definition and statute of limitations that do not meet international standards"₂₉. The United Nations made specific recommendations in 2017 that Italy creates "stronger measures against gender-based violence [and stronger] anti-trafficking mechanisms"₂₉.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Italy

5. Italy's Health

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

Compared to Europe (2025)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
14	Finland	59.8
15	Belgium	61.5
16	Luxembourg	63.9
17	Italy	65.0
18	Austria	65.0
19	Andorra	65.6
20	Montenegro	66.5
21	Slovenia	67.5
22	Ireland	68.0
	Europe Avg	86.87
q=51.

Health (2025)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
27	Belgium	61.5
28	Luxembourg	63.9
29	Vietnam	64.1
30	Italy	65.0
31	Austria	65.0
32	Andorra	65.6
33	Australia	66.3
34	Montenegro	66.5
	World Avg	97.60
q=213.

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 Man₃₁. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Cook Islands, The Marshall Islands and Niue₃₁.

25 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 and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans₃₁, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia₃₁.

For more, see:

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

Health:

Italy does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Italy comes in the best 20 in its average life expectancy₁₁ and in its adolescent birth rate₃₂. It does better than average for its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₃, its suicide rate₃₄ and in its immunizations take-up₃₅. But, there's bad news too. Italy does worse than average in its alcohol consumption rate₃₆ (still good for Europe), its fertility rate₁₄ (one of the worst in Europe), the prevalence of overweight adults₃₇ and in its smoking rate₃₈. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Italy in the 2000s and 2010 was amongst the top 10 in the world, after improving by +6.6yrs in the 30 years from 1990. It had the 2nd-lowest average fertility rate in the world throughout the 1980s (after Germany) and the 3rd-lowest in the 1990s. Its peak fertility rate was 2.66 in 1964.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
9	Norway	83.2
10	Spain	83.0
11	Sweden	83.0
12	Italy	82.9
13	Singapore	82.8
14	Iceland	82.7
15	Canada	82.7
16	Luxembourg	82.6
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better36
Pos.		2016 Per Capita36
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
109	Mongolia	7.4
110=	Albania	7.5
110=	Burundi	7.5
110=	Italy	7.5
110=	Norway	7.5
114	Kazakhstan	7.7
115=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	7.8
115=	Brazil	7.8
	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
	...
130	Japan	1.26
131	Botswana	2.75
132	Djibouti	2.76
133	Italy	1.24
134	Haiti	2.77
135	Mongolia	2.77
136	Swaziland	2.79
137	Jordan	2.79
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better38
Pos.		201438
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
146	Saudi Arabia	1 395
147	Netherlands	1 396
148	Poland	1 396
149	Italy	1 443
150	Germany	1 480
151	Bulgaria	1 505
152	Kuwait	1 517
153	Armenia	1 545
	Europe Avg	1 648
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate34
Pos.		2013 Per 100k34
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
33	Panama	10.9
34	Nicaragua	11.6
35	Costa Rica	12.1
36	Italy	12.8
37	Macedonia	13.5
38	Mauritius	13.7
39	UK	13.9
40	Ecuador	14.1
	Europe Avg	26.99
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
21	Japan	21
22	Spain	22
23	France	23
24	Italy	24
25	Qatar	25
26	Oman	26
27	Estonia	27
28	Austria	28
	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
	...
147	Saudi Arabia	39.4
148=	Iraq	40.0
148=	Venezuela	40.0
148=	Italy	40.0
151	France	40.4
152=	Argentina	40.4
152=	Chile	40.4
154	Uruguay	40.5
	Europe Avg	38.2
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better39
Pos.		2022 %39
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
82	Tajikistan	20.8%
83	Mauritania	20.8%
84	Montenegro	21.1%
85	Italy	21.6%
86	Solomon Islands	21.6%
87	Pakistan	21.8%
88	Belgium	22.0%
89	Morocco	22.1%
	Europe Avg	25.9%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better32
Pos.		2022 Per 100032
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
11	Liechtenstein	3.0
12	Sweden	3.3
13	San Marino	3.7
14	Italy	3.9
15	Finland	4.1
16	Luxembourg	4.2
17	Slovenia	4.4
18	Iceland	5.1
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better35
Pos.		2015 Avg %35
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
83	Lithuania	93.9
84	Estonia	93.9
85	N. Korea	93.8
86	Italy	93.8
87	Austria	93.8
88	Argentina	93.7
89	Bulgaria	93.7
90	Serbia	93.5
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

In the 1990s, Italy was amongst the 10 countries with the lowest adolescent birth rate.

6. Responsibility Towards The Environment

#climate_change #energy #Italy #italy_and_the_environment #Italy_environment #sustainability #the_environment

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)40
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank40
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
34	Ethiopia	61.7
35	Indonesia	61.9
36	Cameroon	62.6
37	Italy	63.1
38	Jordan	63.1
39	Ireland	63.1
	Europe Avg	86.45
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

Italy comes 37th in the world when it comes to its responsibility towards the environment. This is computed using 21 data sets. Italy comes in the best 20 in terms of its score on the Green Future Index₄₁ and in its environmental performance₄₂. It does better than average in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₃, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₄, energy to GDP efficiency₄₅ and in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. But, things still need to improve in Italy. Italy does worse than average in terms of reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₆.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Italy's Responsibility Towards The Environment

7. Italy's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #modernity #politics #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)47
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank47
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
20	Lithuania	31.4
21	Poland	33.2
22	Luxembourg	33.9
23	Italy	34.0
24	Portugal	34.4
25	Greece	36.3
26	Slovakia	42.9
27	Malta	45.9
28	Ukraine	47.7
	Europe Avg	39.81
q=45.

Modernity & Learning (2020)47
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank47
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
28	Lithuania	31.4
29	Poland	33.2
30	Luxembourg	33.9
31	Italy	34.0
32	Singapore	34.1
33	Portugal	34.4
34	Greece	36.3
35	Argentina	38.2
	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 Denmark₄₈. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone₄₈. 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

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 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).

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2951
2	Israel	4.1151
3	Japan	3.5851
	...
23	Ireland	1.5251
24	Estonia	1.4351
25	Hungary	1.3751
26	Italy	1.2951
27	Portugal	1.2851
28	Luxembourg	1.2651
29	Spain	1.2251
30	Russia	1.1951
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better52
Pos.		201852
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
58	Malaysia	80.8%
59	Cyprus	80.3%
60	Singapore	79.6%
61	Italy	79.6%
62	Hong Kong	79.4%
63	Chile	79.3%
64	China	78.6%
65	Belize	78.6%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better53
Pos.		2021 Years53
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
29	Bahrain	16.3
30	Lithuania	16.3
31	USA	16.3
32	Italy	16.2
33	Czechia	16.2
34	Latvia	16.2
35	Saudi Arabia	16.1
36	Israel	16.1
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
38	USA	38
39	Portugal	39
40	Spain	40
41	Italy	41
42	Slovakia	42
43	Marshall Islands	43
44	S. Korea	44
45	Morocco	45
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better54
Pos.		2015 Score54
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
30	Czechia	1472
31	USA	1463
32	Latvia	1460
33	Italy	1456
34	Luxembourg	1450
35	Iceland	1443
36	Croatia	1426
37	Lithuania	1425
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

Religiosity Lower is better55
Pos.		2018 %55
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
22=	Bulgaria	19
22=	Norway	19
24	Netherlands	20
25=	Italy	21
25=	Belarus	21
27	Ireland	22
28=	Kazakhstan	22
28=	Spain	22
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better56
Pos.		200656
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 better57
Pos.		201657
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
64	Brazil	66%
65	St Kitts & Nevis	66%
66	Dominica	66%
67	Italy	66%
68=	Uruguay	65%
68=	Antigua & Barbuda	65%
70	Greece	65%
71	Saudi Arabia	65%
	Europe Avg	76.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

Freedom On The Internet Lower is better58
Pos.		201258
1	Estonia	10
2	USA	12
3	Germany	15
4	Australia	18
5	Hungary	19
6=	Philippines	23
6=	Italy	23
8	UK	25
9=	S. Africa	26
9=	Argentina	26
11	Ukraine	27
12=	Brazil	27
	Europe Avg	31.4
	World Avg	46.7
q=47.

IT Security Lower is better59
Pos.		201359
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
47	British Virgin Islands	1.08
48	Mali	1.12
49	France	1.13
50	Italy	1.15
51	Vietnam	1.15
52	Nigeria	1.18
53	Mauritania	1.19
54	Azerbaijan	1.21
	Europe Avg	0.80
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better60
Pos.		2017 Ratio60
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
41	Sri Lanka	2.9
42	Latvia	2.2
43	Israel	1.8
44	Italy	1.7
45	Argentina	1.4
46	Faroe Islands	1.4
47	Russia	1.3
48	Bulgaria	1.3
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better61
Pos.		202461
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
23	Israel	65.4%
24	Norway	64.5%
25	Canada	63.4%
26	Italy	63.3%
27	Czechia	63.2%
28	Latvia	63.2%
29	Portugal	62.8%
30	Slovenia	62.3%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. Italy's Culture, Peace and Inequality

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

Compared to Europe (2020)62
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank62
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
21	Spain	45.0
22	Cyprus	47.4
23	Portugal	48.2
24	Italy	48.6
25	Slovakia	48.8
26	Croatia	52.9
27	Romania	54.4
28	Lithuania	59.6
29	Moldova	59.7
	Europe Avg	48.48
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2020)62
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank62
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
33	Cyprus	47.4
34	Portugal	48.2
35	Mauritius	48.3
36	Italy	48.6
37	Slovakia	48.8
38	Bhutan	49.2
39	S. Korea	49.5
40	Uruguay	52.6
	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 better63
Pos.		2022 %63
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
111=	Algeria	30.0
112	Pakistan	29.0
113=	Latvia	29.0
113=	Italy	29.0
113=	Armenia	29.0
116	Tunisia	28.0
117	Laos	27.0
118	Portugal	26.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better64
Pos.		2022 Points64
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
40	Qatar	58.0
41=	Czechia	56.0
41=	Georgia	56.0
41=	Italy	56.0
41=	Slovenia	56.0
45	Dominica	55.0
46=	Poland	55.0
46=	St Lucia	55.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Thoughout the 2010s, Italy made serious improvements to its Corruption Perception Index score (+11), sitting amongst the top 10 best-improvers that decade.

Happiness Higher is better65
Pos.		2024 Score65
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
37	El Salvador	6.5
38	Spain	6.5
39	Estonia	6.4
40	Italy	6.4
41	Panama	6.4
42	Argentina	6.4
43	Kazakhstan	6.4
44	Guatemala	6.4
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
23	Lithuania	23
24	St Lucia	24
25	Canada	25
26	Italy	26
27	Mauritius	27
28	Malta	28
29	Singapore	29
30	Spain	30
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
33	Mongolia	33
34	Spain	34
35	UK	35
36	Italy	36
37	Estonia	37
38	Cyprus	38
39	Bulgaria	39
40	Turkey	40
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Peace Versus Instability:

Global Peace Index Lower is better66
Pos.		2023 Score66
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
31=	Spain	1.65
31=	Romania	1.65
31=	Taiwan	1.65
34	Italy	1.66
35	Kuwait	1.67
36	Lithuania	1.67
37	UK	1.69
38	Macedonia	1.71
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
52	Finland	52
53	France	53
54	Australia	54
55	Italy	55
56	Mauritius	56
57	Zambia	57
58	Romania	58
59	Vietnam	59
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
11	Canada	11
12	UK	12
13	Belgium	13
14	Italy	14
15	Spain	15
16	France	16
17	Cyprus	17
18	Slovenia	18
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better67
Pos.		2019 Score67
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
85	Rwanda	2.95
86	Nicaragua	2.95
87	Jordan	3.09
88	Italy	3.11
89	Paraguay	3.12
90	Bahrain	3.20
91	Tanzania	3.27
92	Spain	3.35
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

Economic Inequality and Poverty:

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better68
Pos.		201968
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
10	S. Korea	3.00
11=	Spain	3.00
12	Netherlands	3.10
13=	Italy	3.10
14	Israel	3.30
15=	Luxembourg	3.40
15=	Ireland	3.40
17	Portugal	3.50
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better69
Pos.		2023 %69
1	Slovakia	24.1%70
2	Slovenia	24.3%70
3	Belarus	24.4%71
	...
78	Benin	34.4%70
79	Portugal	34.6%70
80=	Iran	34.8%72
80=	Italy	34.8%70
82	Thailand	34.9%70
83	Ethiopia	35.0%73
84=	Russia	35.1%70
84=	Nigeria	35.1%74
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#afterlife #belief #buddhism #christianity #god #heaven #hell #hinduism #islam #italy #judaism #religion #religion_in_italy #religiosity #secularisation #universalism

Religiosity (2018)55
Pos.		Lower is better %55
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
22=	Bulgaria	19
22=	Norway	19
24	Netherlands	20
25=	Italy	21
25=	Belarus	21
27	Ireland	22
28=	Kazakhstan	22
28=	Spain	22
30	Slovakia	23
31=	Ukraine	23
32	Canada	27
33=	Uzbekistan	29
33=	Uruguay	29
35	Poland	30
36	Serbia	34
37=	Israel	36
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)75
Pos.		Higher is better %75
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
46=	Kyrgyzstan	7
46=	Cambodia	7
48	Moldova	6
49=	Italy	6
50	Laos	5
51=	Ireland	5
51=	Mozambique	5
53	Zimbabwe	4
54=	Namibia	4
54=	Iran	4
54=	Mexico	4
54=	Portugal	4
54=	Romania	4
54=	Argentina	4
54=	Georgia	4
54=	Uzbekistan	4
	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 below₇₆:

Christian	83.3%
Muslim	3.7%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.2%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	12.4%

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 87.5% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 21% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

• "Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree (2009)

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Christian 80% (overwhelming Roman Catholic with very small groups of Jehova Witnesses and Protestants), Muslims NEGL (about 700,000 but growing), Atheists and Agnostics 20%₇₇.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Italy₇₈. Despite the large numbers of Christians, not many have traditional beliefs in the afterlife - just 21%. More people don't know what to believe (25%). Some believe that upon death, you simply cease to exist (24%). Also, 2% specifically believe in heaven but not in hell (which is nice - making them possible "universalists"). 4% believe in reincarnation.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: Italian law has a definite bias towards Catholic Christianity₇₉. Although the constitution protects freedom of religion and belief, blasphemy laws are specifically used to the favour of Christians, and the education system is somewhat biased - all classrooms in state schools must display crucifixes, for example₇₉, which can only ever entrench prejudice and discrimination at the social level.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?
• Human Rights and Freedom in Italy: 4.3. Freedom of Thought