The Human Truth Foundation

Which are the Best Countries in the Middle East?

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

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#cyprus #human_development #israel #middle_east #morality #qatar #religious_intolerance #syria #the_middle_east #united_arab_emirates #yemen

Social & Moral
Development Index
1
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank1
1Cyprus61.0
2Israel69.9
3Turkey75.9
4UAE76.3
5Qatar77.6
6Jordan80.3
7Kuwait80.7
8Bahrain82.8
9Oman89.6
10Lebanon90.0
...
14Syria115.3
15Iraq121.9
16Yemen124.1
The Middle East Avg89.4
World Avg87.9
q=16.

Dominated by Muslim countries, the Middle East has severe problems with human rights, gender equality, cultural misogyny, religious tolerance43 and its treatment of LGBT folk.44. The non-Islamic country of Cyprus treats its people the best; but others such as Israel are caught up in long-term conflicts and misbehaviours.

There are 17 locations that fall within this category. By adding up all the known populations that fall within these locations, and summing their physical land areas, we can calculate population densities. Some islands and territories can end up being counted twice depending on how they are classified and divided up politically, but, mostly such errors involve only small populations. So, some data on this collection of countries in total:


1. Summary Data

#economics #human_development #population #wealth

Pos.Population (2018)
Population2
Social & Moral
Lower is better

Avg Rank1
Gross National
Income (2021)
Higher is better
PPP $3
UN HDI (2021)
Higher is better

Value3
Land Area (2011)
km24
People
Per km2
Lower is better
1Bahrain1.6m82.8$39 4970.875 7602 065
2Cyprus1.2m61.0$38 1880.896 9 240 129
3Egypt98.4m96.9$11 7320.731 995 450 99
4Iran81.8m96.8$13 0010.7741 628 550 50
5Iraq38.4m121.9$9 9770.686 434 320 88
6Israel8.4m69.9$41 5240.919 21 640 387
7Jordan10.0m80.3$9 9240.720 88 780 112
8Kuwait4.1m80.7$52 9200.831 17 820 232
9Lebanon6.9m90.0$9 5260.706 10 230 671
10Oman4.8m89.6$27 0540.816 309 500 16
11Qatar2.8m77.6$87 1340.855 11 610 240
12Saudi Arabia33.7m91.0$46 1120.8752 149 690 16
13Syria16.9m115.3$4 1920.577 183 630 92
14Turkey82.3m75.9$31 0330.838 769 630 107
15UAE9.6m76.3$62 5740.911 83 600 115
16Yemen28.5m124.1$1 3140.455 527 970 54
17Palestine4.9m$6 5830.715
The Middle East Avg25.6m89.4$28 9580.78 452 651 56
World Avg39.0m87.9$20 1360.72 620 450 63
q=17.

Not showing due to lack of data: Palestine.

This page only shows places where the database has enough data to be able to come to reasonable conclusions about each place. The main focus is on nation states, but, some distinct external territories may be listed if the database has enough information about them. Averages are calculated from as many valid data points as possible, meaning, that some territories and locations that are not listed above may still be used to calculate some of the average values. Some calculations only use Independent State data - hover the cursor over values to see hints.

Links:

2. Social and Moral Development

#climate_change #education #equality #gender_equality #health #human_development #human_rights #modernity #morals #politics #prejudice #technology #the_environment #the_internet #tolerance

Here are each country's overall scores across the categories that make up the Social and Moral Development Index. This is followed by lists of how each country scores in each individual data set.

Pos.Social & Moral
Lower is better

Avg Rank1
Modernity & Learning (2020)
Lower is better

Avg Rank5
Health (2020)
Lower is better

Avg Rank6
Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)
Lower is better

Avg Rank7
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)
Lower is better

Avg Rank8
1Cyprus61.054.078.646.579.3
2Israel69.932.282.183.392.0
3Turkey75.950.184.582.492.2
4UAE76.356.075.8119.8114.4
5Qatar77.675.570.6119.2104.0
6Jordan80.381.184.8102.056.5
7Kuwait80.777.667.1106.5115.4
8Bahrain82.875.677.3112.7128.0
9Oman89.688.962.9121.3104.7
10Lebanon90.085.795.498.768.8
11Saudi Arabia91.060.469.3134.5104.4
12Iran96.871.775.5133.682.6
13Egypt96.970.4101.8113.466.6
14Syria115.3123.5101.3132.991.0
15Iraq121.9121.8130.9124.4122.5
16Yemen124.1134.4112.0123.476.7
The Middle East Avg89.479.587.4111.396.8
World Avg87.983.293.587.985.7
q=16.

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.

For more, see:

3. Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #emigration #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #the_middle_east

Population:

Pos.Population (2018)
Population2
Life
Expectancy (2021)
Higher is better

Years3
Fertility Rate (2013)
2.0 is best
9
Old-Age Dependency Ratio (2016)
Lower is better

Per 10010
1Bahrain1.6m78.82.4608.7
2Cyprus1.2m81.21.4626.9
3Egypt98.4m70.22.6510.5
4Iran81.8m73.91.6013.4
5Iraq38.4m70.44.5706.0
6Israel8.4m82.32.9122.9
7Jordan10.0m74.32.9308.0
8Kuwait4.1m78.72.2706.8
9Lebanon6.9m75.01.7721.1
10Oman4.8m72.52.1707.8
11Qatar2.8m79.32.2005.1
12Saudi Arabia33.7m76.92.6709.5
13Syria16.9m72.12.8109.0
14Turkey82.3m76.02.0418.0
15UAE9.6m78.71.7007.7
16Yemen28.5m63.84.9805.7
17Palestine4.9m73.54.3106.5
The Middle East Avg25.6m75.142.6811.4
World Avg39.0m71.282.8118.3
q=17.

Migration:

The countries in The Middle East with the highest percent of immigrants in their populations are UAE (88.4%), Kuwait (75.5%) and Qatar (65.2%), although the average for The Middle East is 29%. When it comes to emigration the highest rates are Palestine (68.4%), Cyprus (17.0%) and Lebanon (15.6%), with a regional average of 10% who have crossed a national border to live elsewhere.

For full commentary and data, see:

4. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

The Middle East does poorly on fighting corruption compared to the other regions of the world. Syria and Yemen are two of the five most corrupt countries in the world according to Transparency International's 2022 data45. The countries in the region doing the best are the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Qatar.

Pos.World Giving Index (2022)
Higher is better

%11
Corruption (2022)
Higher is better

Points12
Happiness (2018)
Higher is better

Score13
Creativity & Culture (2017)
Lower is better

Rank14
Open Trading, Aid & Development (2017)
Lower is better

Rank14
1Bahrain45.044.06.1105157
2Cyprus40.052.05.84438
3Egypt23.030.04.4123134
4Iran43.025.04.7157148
5Iraq37.023.04.5156153
6Israel37.063.07.26399
7Jordan32.047.05.29124
8Kuwait42.06.111083
9Lebanon24.024.05.26631
10Oman44.012675
11Qatar58.06.411461
12Saudi Arabia36.051.06.413685
13Syria13.03.5152147
14Turkey40.036.05.57540
15UAE47.067.06.85349
16Yemen16.03.4155137
17Palestine4.7
The Middle East Avg36.739.695.35107.991.3
World Avg39.642.985.3882.082.0
q=17.

5. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Although it improved, Middle East and North Africa remains the least peaceful region in the world for the sixth consecutive year46 according to the Global Peace Index's compendium of statistics.

Pos.Global Peace Index (2023)
Lower is better

Score15
Peacekeeping & Security (2017)
Lower is better

Rank14
Refugees & UN Treaties (2017)
Lower is better

Rank14
Impact of Terrorism (2019)
Lower is better

Score16
1Bahrain2.15159773.20
2Cyprus1.9073170.42
3Egypt2.2741206.79
4Iran2.8083684.72
5Iraq3.011581159.24
6Israel2.71123844.53
7Jordan1.90311113.09
8Kuwait1.67140812.49
9Lebanon2.58153764.40
10Oman1.7911119
11Qatar1.5236940.03
12Saudi Arabia2.261411175.24
13Syria3.291311428.01
14Turkey2.8078396.53
15UAE1.98147530.05
16Yemen3.351571287.26
17Palestine2.545.18
The Middle East Avg2.38101.690.14.45
World Avg2.0782.082.02.78
q=17.

6. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Pos.Inequality in Life Expectancy (2019)
Lower is better17
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) (2017)
Lower is better

%18
Multidimensional Poverty (2018)
Lower is better

Severity19
1Bahrain5.50
2Cyprus3.6034.0
3Egypt11.6031.8.019
4Iran9.2040.0
5Iraq15.9029.5.033
6Israel3.3038.9
7Jordan10.6033.7.002
8Kuwait5.90
9Lebanon7.4031.8
10Oman6.70
11Qatar5.70
12Saudi Arabia6.40
13Syria13.00.029
14Turkey9.0041.9
15UAE5.20
16Yemen24.7036.7.241
17Palestine12.0033.7.004
The Middle East Avg9.1635.2.054
World Avg14.5938.1.154
q=17.

7. Modernity and Learning

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

Modernity and Education:

Pos.Research & Development (2016)
Higher is better

% RDP PPP
Secondary Education (2018)
Higher is better
20
Length of Schooling (2021)
Higher is better

Years21
Intellectual Endeavours (2017)
Lower is better

Rank14
Maths, Science & Reading (2015)
Higher is better

Score22
Religiosity (2018)
Lower is better

%23
IQ (2006)
Higher is better24
1Bahrain0.042559.6%16.3115
2Cyprus0.482580.3%15.6311313
3Egypt0.682565.3%13.8607281
4Iran0.312669.8%14.6907884
5Iraq0.032748.0%12.11628287
6Israel4.112889.1%16.13414163695
7Jordan0.432984.0%10.66511978584
8Kuwait0.302551.5%15.312786
9Lebanon54.9%11.36811295782
10Oman0.172566.4%14.612383
11Qatar0.473067.5%12.61451222
12Saudi Arabia0.073172.8%16.18184
13Syria41.0%9.214083
14Turkey1.012853.1%18.355127368
15UAE0.492770.7%15.784129884
16Yemen28.0%9.110885
17Palestine61.1%13.486
The Middle East Avg0.6662.5%13.893.0126470.584.8
World Avg0.8463.0%13.582.0138954.385.6
q=17.

Technology and Information:

Pos.Internet Users (2016)
Higher is better
32
Internet Freedom (2012)
Lower is better
33
IT Security (2013)
Lower is better
34
IPv6 Uptake (2017)
Higher is better

Ratio35
1Bahrain92%710.0
2Cyprus72%0.0
3Egypt33%590.4
4Iran49%900.850.1
5Iraq13%1.840.0
6Israel73%0.201.8
7Jordan46%450.0
8Kuwait80%0.930.0
9Lebanon76%0.0
10Oman71%1.720.0
11Qatar92%0.650.0
12Saudi Arabia65%710.936.8
13Syria30%830.0
14Turkey58%460.520.3
15UAE92%0.3
16Yemen25%0.0
17Palestine63%0.0
The Middle East Avg60.4%66.40.960.57
World Avg48.1%46.70.983.82
q=17.

8. Health

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

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives36. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau36.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are 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, Asia and The Mediterranean36, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa36.

For more, see:

Health:

Pos.Life
Expectancy (2021)
Higher is better

Years3
Alcohol Consumption (2016)
Lower is better

Per Capita37
Fertility Rate (2013)
2.0 is best
9
Smoking Rates (2014)
Lower is better
38
Suicide Rate (2013)
Per 100k39
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance (2017)
Lower is better

Rank14
Overweight Adults (2016)
Lower is better

%40
1Bahrain78.81.92.46 9697.59365.8
2Cyprus81.210.81.461 6889.15959.1
3Egypt70.20.42.651 1880.17363.5
4Iran73.91.01.60 86911861.6
5Iraq70.40.44.571 22713564.6
6Israel82.33.82.911 3468.55164.3
7Jordan74.30.72.931 8550.21869.6
8Kuwait78.70.02.271 5173.62073.4
9Lebanon75.01.51.773 0236367.9
10Oman72.50.82.17 5772662.6
11Qatar79.32.02.20 6982571.7
12Saudi Arabia76.90.22.671 3951569.7
13Syria72.10.32.81 4598861.4
14Turkey76.02.02.041 5814466.8
15UAE78.73.81.70 7151467.8
16Yemen63.80.14.98 38811948.8
17Palestine73.54.31
The Middle East Avg75.141.92.681 2184.8360.164.9
World Avg71.286.22.81 81920.9382.049.0
q=17.

Children's Health:

Pos.Adolescent Birth Rate (2015)
Lower is better

Per 100041
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 (2015)
Higher is better

Avg %42
1Bahrain13.598.2
2Cyprus5.095.3
3Egypt51.993.4
4Iran26.798.1
5Iraq84.070.7
6Israel9.795.2
7Jordan23.296.6
8Kuwait9.897.5
9Lebanon12.479.4
10Oman8.198.0
11Qatar10.795.6
12Saudi Arabia8.898.0
13Syria39.462.4
14Turkey27.695.5
15UAE29.794.0
16Yemen61.567.4
17Palestine58.6
The Middle East Avg28.389.7
World Avg47.988.3
q=17.

9. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #The_Middle_East #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)7
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank7
1Cyprus46.5
2Turkey82.4
3Israel83.3
4Lebanon98.7
5Jordan102.0
6Kuwait106.5
7Bahrain112.7
8Egypt113.4
9Qatar119.2
10UAE119.8
...
15Iran133.6
16Saudi Arabia134.5
17=Palestine138.0
The Middle East Avg111.3
World Avg87.9
q=17.

The best countries in The Middle East at protecting human rights, engendering tolerance and supporting equality, are Cyprus, Turkey and Israel but the bloc as a whole does poorly compared to the global average. The worst countries are Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Iran. In short, The Middle East has severe problems with human rights, gender equality, misogyny, religious tolerance43 and LGBT equality. Acceptance of human-rights principles is largely impossible given the prominence of Islamic theocracy which is sternly opposed to human rights. This is the worst region in the world for religion-based persecution43.

The Arab World [is] a region where the mean and median levels of performance [at ensuring human rights and freedom] are probably most charitably labeled poor.

"Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice"
Jack Donnelly (2013)44

For full commentary and data, see:

10. Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Pos.Forest Area Change 2000-2020
Higher is better
47
Environmental Performance (2018)
Higher is better
48
Energy to GDP Efficiency (2014)
Higher is better49
CBD
Earlier is better

Signed
Rational Beliefs on the Environment (2011)
Higher is better
%50
Meat Consumption (2021)
Lower is better

kg51
Green Future Index (2023)
Higher is better

Score52
1Bahrain75.2%55.204.101996 Nov 2826.3%82.8
2Cyprus0.5%72.612.991996 Oct 0871.0%75.8
3Egypt-20.6%61.211.761994 Aug 3130.1%29.14.0
4Iran15.2%58.205.321996 Nov 0447.9%31.62.6
5Iraq0.9%43.22009 Oct 2624.9%18.3
6Israel-8.4%75.011.111995 Nov 0527.6%107.74.6
7Jordan0.0%62.209.091994 Feb 1041.4%36.0
8Kuwait28.9%62.307.582002 Oct 3119.6%81.34.1
9Lebanon3.8%61.109.901995 Mar 1554.3%36.3
10Oman-16.7%51.306.291995 May 0948.0
11Qatar0.0%67.806.491996 Nov 1926.5%83.03.4
12Saudi Arabia0.0%57.507.042002 Jan 0127.2%55.14.1
13Syria20.0%1996 Apr 0326.6%17.8
14Turkey10.0%53.011.111997 May 1547.4%43.03.8
15UAE2.5%58.908.132000 May 1020.8%84.34.8
16Yemen0.0%12.501996 May 2143.2%17.8
17Palestine11.5%2015 Apr 0227.5%
The Middle East Avg7.2%60.008.821899 Dec 3035.1%53.03.9
World Avg-0.1%56.409.291899 Dec 3039.9%52.54.8
q=17.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #folk_religion #god #hinduism #human_development #islam #judaism #no_religion #religion #religiosity #secularisation

Pos.Religiosity (2018)
Lower is better

%23
Disbelief In God (2007)
Higher is better
%53
Jews (2010)
%54
Christians (2010)
%54
Muslims (2010)
%54
Hindus (2010)
%54
Buddhists (2010)
%54
Folk Religion (2010)
%54
Unaffiliated (2010)
%54
1Bahrain0.614.570.39.82.50.11.9
2Cyprus0.173.225.30.10.20.11.2
3Egypt7200.15.194.90.10.10.10.1
4Iran7840.10.299.00.10.10.10.1
5Iraq8200.10.899.00.10.10.10.1
6Israel361575.62.018.60.10.30.23.1
7Jordan8500.12.297.20.10.40.10.1
8Kuwait00.114.374.18.52.80.10.1
9Lebanon5730.138.361.30.10.20.10.3
10Oman00.16.585.95.50.80.10.2
11Qatar0.113.867.713.83.10.10.9
12Saudi Arabia00.14.493.01.10.30.30.7
13Syria00.15.292.80.10.10.12.0
14Turkey680.10.498.00.10.10.11.2
15UAE00.112.676.96.62.00.11.1
16Yemen00.10.299.00.60.10.10.1
17Palestine860.12.497.60.10.10.10.1
The Middle East Avg70.51.84.611.579.42.80.80.10.8
World Avg54.39.90.560.622.42.03.52.77.9
q=17.

Links: