Moldova (Republic of Moldova)

Moldova Republic of Moldova
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	69th best
Capital	Chisinau
Land Area	32 854km21
Location	Europe
Population	4.1m2
Life Expectancy	68.85yrs (2017)3
GNI	$14 875 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	MD, MDA, 4985
Internet Domain	.md6
Currency	Leu (MDL)7
Telephone	+3738

1. Overview
2. Moldova National and Social Development
3. Moldova's Demographics and Migration
4. Moldova's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
   1. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets
   2. Gender Equality Datasets
   3. Prejudice Datasets
5. Moldova's Health
   1. Health Datasets
   2. Children's Health Datasets
6. Moldova's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Moldova's Modernity and Learning
   1. Modernity Datasets
   2. Education Datasets
   3. Technology and Information Datasets
8. Moldova's Culture, Peace and Inequality
   1. National Culture Datasets
   2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets
   3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets
9. Religion and Beliefs
10. Links

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1. Overview

#romania #russia #ukraine

“Part of Romania during the interwar period, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although the country has been independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru River supporting a Transnistrian separatist region composed of a Slavic majority population (mostly Ukrainians and Russians), but with a sizeable ethnic Moldovan minority. One of the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist, Vladimir VORONIN, as its president in 2001. VORONIN served as Moldova's president until he resigned in September 2009, following the opposition's gain of a narrow majority in July parliamentary elections and the Communist Party's (PCRM) subsequent inability to attract the three-fifths of parliamentary votes required to elect a president. Four Moldovan opposition parties formed a new coalition, the Alliance for European Integration (AEI), which has acted as Moldova's governing coalition since. Moldova experienced significant political uncertainty between 2009 and early 2012, holding three general elections and numerous presidential ballots in parliament, all of which failed to secure a president. Following November 2010 parliamentary elections, a reconstituted AEI-coalition consisting of three of the four original AEI parties formed a government, and in March 2012 was finally able to elect an independent as president.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Long-forgotten and little-known, Moldova struggles to throw off its post-communist trappings and reputation as one of the poorest nations in Europe. Only vaguely known in Europe and all but anonymous to the rest of the world, Moldova remains a mysterious and misunderstood land: part Romanian, part Russian, all Soviet. Once at the very edge of the USSR, Moldova has gone it alone since the early ´90s. Independence has been economically painful and Moldova has been racked by civil war between the central government and the secessionist Russian-speaking region known as Transdniestr, which continues to exist as a state within a state today.Moldova gets a tiny number of tourists and isn´t particularly well set up for travellers, but this is one of its greatest charms. Its out-of-the-way aspect makes travel in Moldova a challenge and an adventure, but the unhurried and timeless way of life, where there is always time to chat in the shade of summer´s fruit trees, are part of its appeal.

Sights may be few and far between in the gently undulating landscape, but look no further for adventure: this is Eastern Europe´s last unknown land.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Moldova 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
	...
77	Ukraine	0.773
78	Macedonia	0.770
79	China	0.768
80=	Moldova	0.767
80=	Palau	0.767
80=	Dominican Rep.	0.767
83	Cuba	0.764
84	Peru	0.762
	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
	...
77	Maldives	$15 448
78	Libya	$15 336
79	Bosnia & Herzegovina	$15 242
80	Moldova	$14 875
81	Georgia	$14 664
82	Colombia	$14 384
83	Brazil	$14 370
84	Azerbaijan	$14 257
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	27.2
2	Norway	29.2
3	Sweden	30.2
	...
66	Trinidad & Tobago	80.0
67	China	80.2
68	Colombia	81.0
69	Moldova	81.1
70	Jamaica	81.3
71	Ecuador	81.7
72	Kosovo	82.0
73	UAE	82.0
	Europe Avg	57.3
	World Avg	89.2
q=200.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Moldova's Demographics and Migration

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

Population Datasets:

Moldova's population is predicted to fall to 3 147 000 by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 1.80. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1, once you take mortality into account₁₃. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₄

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
127	Panama	4.2m
128	Croatia	4.2m
129	Kuwait	4.1m
130	Moldova	4.1m
131	Georgia	4.0m
132	Eritrea	3.5m
133	Uruguay	3.4m
134	Bosnia & Herzegovina	3.3m
	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
	...
127	Philippines	69.3
128	Turkmenistan	69.3
129	Guatemala	69.2
130	Moldova	68.8
131	Nepal	68.4
132	Laos	68.1
133	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	67.7
134	Sao Tome & Principe	67.6
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best15
Pos.		202215
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
25	Romania	1.81
26	Mexico	1.80
27=	Montenegro	1.80
27=	Moldova	1.80
29	Bahrain	1.80
30	France	1.79
31	N. Korea	1.79
32	Malaysia	1.79
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better16
Pos.		2016 Per 10016
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
126	Costa Rica	22.6
127	Israel	22.9
128	Sri Lanka	23.7
129	Moldova	24.7
130	China	25.3
131	Mauritius	25.9
132	Uruguay	26.8
133	Cyprus	26.9
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

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

Migration Datasets:

Immigrants17
Pos.		2017 %17
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
98	Togo	3.6%
99	Uzbekistan	3.6%
100	Rwanda	3.6%
101	Moldova	3.5%
102	Slovakia	3.4%
103	Turkmenistan	3.4%
104	Iran	3.3%
105	Kyrgyzstan	3.3%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants18
Pos.		2010 %18
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
23	St Lucia	23.3%
24	Macedonia	21.9%
25	Sao Tome & Principe	21.9%
26	Moldova	21.5%
27	Fiji	21.3%
28	Portugal	20.8%
29	Lesotho	20.5%
30	El Salvador	20.5%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Moldova's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

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

Compared to Europe (2025)19
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank19
1	Sweden	7.5
2	Netherlands	8.6
3	Denmark	9.0
	...
38	Romania	76.6
39	Macedonia	78.3
40	Georgia	83.0
41	Moldova	84.3
42	Albania	87.5
43	Bosnia & Herzegovina	89.5
44	Kosovo	96.1
45	Turkey	99.7
46	Armenia	100.8
	Europe Avg	52.39
q=49.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)19
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank19
1	Sweden	7.5
2	Netherlands	8.6
3	Denmark	9.0
	...
81	Belize	83.9
82	Hong Kong	83.9
83	Paraguay	84.0
84	Moldova	84.3
85	St Vincent & Grenadines	84.8
86	Namibia	86.6
87	Albania	87.5
88	Nauru	89.3
	World Avg	90.04
q=198.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, The Netherlands and Denmark₂₀. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia₂₀.

30 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, combatting modern slavery, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₂₀, whereas the worst are The Middle East, Africa and Asia₂₀.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

4.1. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets

#freedom #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #moldova #politics #slavery

Press Freedom Higher is better21
Pos.		202521
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
32	Suriname	74.49
33	Slovenia	74.06
34	Armenia	73.96
35	Moldova	73.36
36	Costa Rica	73.09
37	Montenegro	72.83
38	Slovakia	71.93
39	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	71.79
	Europe Avg	70.63
	World Avg	54.65
q=179. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

Moldova is one of only 19 countries who in 2025 had better press freedom than in the 2010s.

Slavery in the 2020s Lower is better22
Pos.		Slavery in the 2020s Per 100022
1=	Switzerland	0.50
1=	Norway	0.50
3=	Germany	0.60
	...
133=	Kyrgyzstan	8.70
133=	Syria	8.70
135	Armenia	8.90
136=	Moldova	9.50
136=	Venezuela	9.50
138	Jordan	10.00
139	Bosnia & Herzegovina	10.10
140=	Papua New Guinea	10.30
	Europe Avg	5.64
	World Avg	7.15
q=160. Also scored for 2010s-2020s.

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
87=	Peru	3.0
87=	Paraguay	3.0
87=	Malawi	3.0
87=	Moldova	3.0
87=	Montenegro	3.0
87=	Macedonia	3.0
87=	India	3.0
87=	Fiji	3.0
	Europe Avg	2.2
	World Avg	3.7
q=205. Also scored for 1970s-2010s.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better23
Pos.		2009 Treaties23
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
64=	Greece	19
64=	Ireland	19
66=	Lithuania	18
66=	Moldova	18
66=	Kyrgyzstan	18
66=	Philippines	18
66=	Algeria	18
66=	Malta	18
	Europe Avg	19.5
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better24
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty24
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
131	Central African Rep.	11.87
132	Thailand	11.89
133	Congo, (Brazzaville)	11.91
134	Moldova	11.99
135	Kyrgyzstan	12.04
136	Botswana	12.05
137	Estonia	12.06
138	Gambia	12.12
	Europe Avg	9.09
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Moldova stated:

“No visible progress was made in reducing instances of torture and other ill-treatment in detention. Impunity continued for past human rights violations by law enforcement agencies. New �€�temporary�€� restrictions on public assemblies were introduced. The rights of LGBTI people were not fully realized, leading to cases of harassment, discrimination and violence. Some refugee reception centres turned away religious and ethnic minority refugees. In the breakaway Transdniestria region, prosecution and imprisonment for peaceful dissent continued.”

"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)₂₅

4.2. Gender Equality Datasets

#gender #gender_equality #human_rights #misogyny #politics #prejudice #women

Moldova is on the way towards ending gender inequality, even though women were prevented equal voting and standing rights until quite late.

See:

• "Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree (2007)

Gender Inequality Lower is better26
Pos.		202226
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
	...
38	Bosnia & Herzegovina	0.14
39	Latvia	0.15
40	Malta	0.15
41	Moldova	0.17
42	Kazakhstan	0.18
43	Slovakia	0.18
44	Russia	0.18
45	USA	0.18
	Europe Avg	0.12
	World Avg	0.34
q=166. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Gender Biases Lower is better27
Pos.		2022 %27
1	Sweden	31.828
2	New Zealand	34.429
3	Australia	37.029
	...
36	S. Korea	89.929
37	Mexico	90.229
38	Belarus	90.428
39	Moldova	90.730
40	Colombia	91.229
41	Bolivia	91.329
42	Russia	91.429
43	Turkey	91.629
	Europe Avg	69.08
	World Avg	83.93
q=88.

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Year Women Can Vote Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
181	Namibia	1989
182	Samoa	1990
183	Kazakhstan	1993
184=	Moldova	1994
184=	Oman	1994
186	Qatar	2003
187	Kuwait	2005
188	Saudi Arabia	0
	Europe Avg	1895
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

4.3. Prejudice Datasets

#2020s #antisemitism #freethought #homosexuality #religious_tolerance

Anti-Semite Opinions Lower is better31
Pos.		2014 %31
1	Laos	0
2	Philippines	3
3	Sweden	4
	...
43=	Montenegro	29
43=	Spain	29
45=	Venezuela	30
45=	Moldova	30
45=	Russia	30
45=	Bolivia	30
49=	Georgia	32
49=	Kazakhstan	32
	Europe Avg	29.9
	World Avg	36.8
q=101.

LGBT Equality in the 2020s Higher is better32
Pos.		LGBT Equality in the 2020s Score32
1=	Germany	4.88
1=	Spain	4.88
3	Portugal	4.81
	...
86=	Nicaragua	0.23
86=	Vietnam	0.23
88	Bhutan	0.21
89	Moldova	0.20
90	Slovakia	0.18
91	Romania	0.12
92	Cuba	0.08
93	Guatemala	0.08
	Europe Avg	1.77
	World Avg	-1.21
q=215. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

Homosexuality in Moldova has been legal since July 10, 1995, when Soviet-era sodomy laws were repealed which had made being a male homosexual punishable by 5 years' prison. Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned, civil unions are not recognized, but discrimination protections have expanded since 2012. ILGA researchers in 2017 found that Moldova had legal protections against anti-LGBT employment discrimination. Social acceptance remains low, though Pride marches in Chiè�inău have become increasingly visible, with state police having to face off against violent Christian Orthodox groups.

Actions taken at the United Nations:

•  ⇡  Supported the 2006 Norway Joint Statement on sexual orientation and gender identity at the UN.
•  ⇣  Voted against the 2011 Resolution at the UN Human Rights Council posted by South Africa, requesting a report on discrimination and violence against LGBTQ folk.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better33
Pos.		202133
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
87=	Venezuela	2.8
88=	Uganda	3.0
88=	Belize	3.0
88=	Moldova	3.0
88=	Mexico	3.0
88=	Tuvalu	3.0
88=	Australia	3.0
88=	Lesotho	3.0
	Europe Avg	2.6
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Moldova's Health

#health

Compared to Europe (2025)34
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank34
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	San Marino	42.3
	...
40	Lithuania	85.5
41	Romania	87.5
42	Bosnia & Herzegovina	90.7
43	Turkey	94.2
44	Georgia	94.8
45	Moldova	97.3
46	Ukraine	98.4
47	Azerbaijan	101.6
48	Kosovo	102.3
	Europe Avg	68.59
q=48.

Health (2025)34
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank34
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Japan	40.8
	...
103	Bhutan	96.9
104	Cape Verde	97.0
105	Algeria	97.2
106	Moldova	97.3
107	Palestine	97.8
108	El Salvador	98.3
109	Ukraine	98.4
110	Ecuador	98.4
	World Avg	97.39
q=207.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and Japan₃₅. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan₃₅.

42 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, obesity rate, its adolescent birth rate, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 and childhood mortality. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₃₅, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Melanesia₃₅.

For more, see:

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

5.1. Health Datasets

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

Moldova is a pretty unhealthy country. Moldova does better than average in its fertility rate₁₅, its adolescent birth rate₃₆ (but high for Europe) and in childhood mortality in the 2020s₃₇. But unfortunately Moldova gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₈, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015₃₉, the prevalence of overweight adults₄₀ (still good for Europe), its average life expectancy₁₁ (the lowest in Europe), its smoking rate₄₁, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s₄₂ and in its suicide rate₄₃. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 when it comes to its alcohol consumption rate₄₄ (the worst in Europe). The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Moldova improved by just +2.9yrs in the 30 years from 1990, significantly less than almost everywhere else in the world. Moldova's peak fertility rate was 3.33 in 1960.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
127	Philippines	69.3
128	Turkmenistan	69.3
129	Guatemala	69.2
130	Moldova	68.8
131	Nepal	68.4
132	Laos	68.1
133	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	67.7
134	Sao Tome & Principe	67.6
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better44
Pos.		2016 Per Capita44
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
182	Latvia	12.9
183=	Luxembourg	13.0
183=	Ireland	13.0
185=	Nigeria	13.4
185=	Germany	13.4
187	Czechia	14.4
188	Lithuania	15.0
189	Moldova	15.2
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best15
Pos.		202215
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
25	Romania	1.81
26	Mexico	1.80
27=	Montenegro	1.80
27=	Moldova	1.80
29	Bahrain	1.80
30	France	1.79
31	N. Korea	1.79
32	Malaysia	1.79
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better41
Pos.		Smoking in the 2020s %41
1	Nigeria	3.3%
2	Ghana	3.4%
3	Panama	5.2%
	...
131	Chile	28.8%
132	Russia	29.2%
133	Mongolia	29.6%
134	Moldova	29.7%
135	Marshall Islands	29.9%
136	Czechia	30.0%
137	Romania	30.1%
138	Belarus	30.2%
	Europe Avg	27.0%
	World Avg	20.0%
q=165. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Moldova sits amongst only 10 countries in the world that saw its smoking rate increase over the 2010s, compared to the previous decade.

Suicide Rate in the 2010s Lower is better43
Pos.		Suicide Rate in the 2010s Per 100k43
1=	Jordan	1.00
1=	Sao Tome & Principe	1.00
1=	Antigua & Barbuda	1.00
	...
152=	Zimbabwe	14.71
153	Cape Verde	14.81
154	India	15.09
155	Moldova	15.53
156	Austria	15.88
157	Sri Lanka	16.01
158	Finland	16.11
159=	Poland	16.13
	Europe Avg	12.94
	World Avg	9.24
q=185. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better38
Pos.		2017 Rank38
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
84	Indonesia	84
85	Bolivia	85
86	Kyrgyzstan	86
87	Moldova	87
88	Syria	88
89	Azerbaijan	89
90	Uganda	90
91	Chile	91
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better40
Pos.		1976 %40
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
117	Colombia	32.7
118	Tunisia	32.8
119	Cyprus	33.0
120	Moldova	33.4
121	Peru	33.5
122	Netherlands	33.7
123	Albania	33.8
124	Syria	34.3
	Europe Avg	38.2
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better45
Pos.		2022 %45
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
104	Guatemala	25.2%
105	Iran	25.3%
106	Bosnia & Herzegovina	25.5%
107	Moldova	25.6%
108	Serbia	26.1%
109	Belarus	26.6%
110	Albania	26.6%
111	Estonia	26.7%
	Europe Avg	25.9%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

5.2. Children's Health Datasets

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

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better36
Pos.		2022 Per 100036
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
80	Morocco	25.5
81	Fiji	26.1
82	Slovakia	26.6
83	Moldova	27.2
84	Iran	29.7
85	Georgia	29.7
86	Thailand	31.6
87	Tuvalu	31.7
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better42
Pos.		Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Avg %42
1=	Luxembourg	99.0
1=	Oman	99.0
1=	Niue	99.0
	...
150	Barbados	87.3
151	Namibia	87.2
152	Estonia	87.1
153	Moldova	87.0
154	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	86.1
155	Micronesia	85.8
156	Panama	85.7
157	Ukraine	85.3
	Europe Avg	93.2
	World Avg	88.5
q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) Higher is better39
Pos.		2015 Avg %39
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
111=	Lesotho	91.7
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
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better37
Pos.		Infant Mortality (2020s) Per 100037
1	San Marino	2.11
2	Finland	2.59
3	Luxembourg	2.60
	...
81	Armenia	15.18
82	Bahamas	15.20
83	British Virgin Islands	15.26
84	Moldova	15.77
85	Colombia	15.90
86	Ecuador	15.98
87=	Belize	16.05
87=	Iran	16.05
	Europe Avg	6.30
	World Avg	32.19
q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

6. Moldova's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #environmentalism #food #internationalism #meat #moldova #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2025)46
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank46
1	Switzerland	45.0
2	Denmark	50.4
3	Liechtenstein	56.8
	...
32	Lithuania	89.5
33	Albania	91.5
34=	Monaco	92.1
34=	Moldova	92.1
36	Malta	92.2
37	Ukraine	94.8
38=	Iceland	96.9
39=	Estonia	97.0
40	Montenegro	97.3
	Europe Avg	82.54
q=48.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)46
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank46
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
125	Albania	91.5
126	St Vincent & Grenadines	92.0
127=	Monaco	92.1
127=	Moldova	92.1
129	S. Africa	92.2
130	Malta	92.2
131	Sao Tome & Principe	92.7
132	Palestine	92.7
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

We have known for a long term that we must protect the environment from habitation destruction, over-exploitation, pollution, and the emissions that cause climate change. In 1998, Greenpeace wrote that "Environment can no longer be meaningfully separated from health, quality of life, democracy, education, economy or trade"₄₇. What countries have been doing the right thing, via legislation and national culture? 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).

Moldova is 127th in the world with regard to its responsibility towards the environment. This is computed using 21 data sets. Moldova does better than average in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₈ and in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₉. But unfortunately Moldova gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average for reducing annual meat consumption per person₅₀ (still low for Europe), its environmental performance₅₁ (one of the lowest in Europe), energy to GDP efficiency₅₂ (amongst the worst in Europe) and in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better48
Pos.		Total48
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
24	Italy	13.8%
25	Fiji	12.9%
26	France	12.5%
27	Moldova	11.9%
28	Palestine	11.5%
29	Kyrgyzstan	11.1%
30	Serbia	10.6%
31	Turkey	10.0%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better51
Pos.		201851
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
109	Ukraine	52.9
110	Guatemala	52.3
111	Maldives	52.1
112	Moldova	52.0
113	Botswana	51.7
114	Honduras	51.5
115	Sudan	51.5
116	Oman	51.3
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better52
Pos.		2022 Avg52
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
140	Serbia	1.79
141	Paraguay	1.79
142	Jamaica	1.83
143	Moldova	1.88
144	S. Africa	1.97
145	Kuwait	2.02
146	Barbados	2.04
147	Libya	2.05
	Europe Avg	1.25
	World Avg	1.23
q=165. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		International Accords on the Environment Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
147	Qatar	51%
148	Vanuatu	50%
149	Equatorial Guinea	50%
150	Moldova	50%
151	Bahrain	50%
152	Swaziland	50%
153	Kuwait	49%
154	Lebanon	49%
	Europe Avg	62.7%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better49
Pos.		2011 %49
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
65	Canada	41.2%
66	Serbia	41.1%
67	Ghana	40.4%
68	Moldova	40.4%
69	Cameroon	39.0%
70	Uganda	38.6%
71	Sierra Leone	38.6%
72	France	38.4%
	Europe Avg	33.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better50
Pos.		2021 kg50
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
106	Colombia	60.9
107	Slovenia	61.2
108	Bulgaria	61.8
109	Moldova	61.9
110	Costa Rica	62.2
111	China	63.6
112	Uruguay	62.8
113	Jamaica	63.4
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185. Also scored for 2010s.

In the 2010s, Moldova increased its meat consumption by over 20kgs per person per year, one of only 11 countries to do so, and putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.₅₀

7. Moldova's Modernity and Learning

#education #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2025)53
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank53
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
40	Andorra	53.0
41	Bosnia & Herzegovina	57.6
42	UK	58.5
43	Georgia	60.6
44	Moldova	60.7
45	Macedonia	65.1
46	Azerbaijan	65.5
47	Armenia	65.6
48	Albania	73.0
	Europe Avg	34.74
q=48.

Modernity & Learning (2025)53
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank53
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
60	UK	58.5
61	Peru	59.2
62	Georgia	60.6
63	Moldova	60.7
64	S. Africa	63.3
65	Seychelles	63.4
66	Cuba	64.5
67	Macedonia	65.1
	World Avg	84.96
q=197.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Iceland and Denmark₅₄. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia₅₄. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₅.

“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)₅₆

27 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Intellectual Endeavours, metric system adoption rate, Religiosity, IQ, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Maths, Science & Reading, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₅₄, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₅₄.

For more, see:

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

7.1. Modernity Datasets

#intelligence #metric #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2957
2	Israel	4.1157
3	Japan	3.5857
	...
72=	Montenegro	0.3858
72=	Chile	0.3857
72=	Ghana	0.3859
75	Moldova	0.3558
76	Ecuador	0.3460
77	Bosnia & Herzegovina	0.3358
78	Iran	0.3159
79=	Nepal	0.3059
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better38
Pos.		2017 Rank38
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
44	S. Korea	44
45	Morocco	45
46	Belarus	46
47	Moldova	47
48	Montenegro	48
49	Norway	49
50	Fiji	50
51	Dominica	51
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better61
Pos.		2025 %61
1=	Slovakia	100
1=	Poland	100
1=	Portugal	100
	...
83=	Morocco	95
83=	Montenegro	95
83=	Malta	95
83=	Moldova	95
83=	Mexico	95
83=	Philippines	95
83=	Tajikistan	95
83=	S. Africa	95
	Europe Avg	97
	World Avg	92
q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Officially adopted metric in 1922, as part of the USSR. Progression:

• 1960 (90%): USSR metric standards; minor traditional units.
• 1970 (95%): Further standardization.
• 1980 (95%): High completeness.
• 2000 (95%): Post-independence continuity.
• 2025 (95%).

Religiosity Lower is better62
Pos.		2018 %62
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
39	Azerbaijan	38
40	Chile	41
41=	Croatia	42
41=	Moldova	42
43	Argentina	43
44	Mexico	45
45	Kyrgyzstan	47
46	Kosovo	48
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better63
Pos.		200663
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
32=	Ukraine	97
32=	Russia	97
32=	Belarus	97
35=	Moldova	96
35=	Uruguay	96
35=	Slovenia	96
35=	Slovakia	96
39=	Portugal	95
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

7.2. Education Datasets

#education #english #maths #science

Secondary Education Higher is better64
Pos.		201864
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
17	Palau	97.1%
18	New Zealand	96.9%
19	Switzerland	96.5%
20	Moldova	96.4%
21	Germany	96.3%
22	Russia	95.9%
23	Croatia	95.7%
24	Azerbaijan	95.6%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better65
Pos.		2021 Years65
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
75	Albania	14.4
76	Cuba	14.4
77	Colombia	14.4
78	Moldova	14.4
79	Serbia	14.4
80	Luxembourg	14.4
81	China	14.2
82	Romania	14.2
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better66
Pos.		2015 Score66
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
49	Uruguay	1290
50	Turkey	1273
51	Trinidad & Tobago	1269
52	Moldova	1264
53	Montenegro	1256
54=	Costa Rica	1247
54=	Mexico	1247
56=	Albania	1245
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

7.3. Technology and Information Datasets

#it_security #modernity #technology #the_internet

Internet Users (2020s) Higher is better
Pos.		Internet Users (2020s)
1=	Iceland	99%
1=	Kuwait	99%
1=	UAE	99%
	...
104	Mauritius	74%
105	Panama	73%
106	Colombia	73%
107	Moldova	72%
108	Egypt	72%
109	Ecuador	72%
110	Algeria	72%
111	Grenada	72%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	67.8%
q=188. Also scored for 1990s-2020s.

IT Security Lower is better67
Pos.		201367
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
27	Chile	0.66
28	Guinea-Bissau	0.67
29	Uzbekistan	0.69
30	Moldova	0.71
31	Zambia	0.76
32	Kenya	0.77
33	Cameroon	0.77
34	Burkina Faso	0.79
	Europe Avg	0.80
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better68
Pos.		2017 Ratio68
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
60	Iceland	0.3
61	Turkey	0.3
62=	Uruguay	0.3
62=	Moldova	0.3
64	UAE	0.3
65	Seychelles	0.2
66	Puerto Rico	0.2
67	Indonesia	0.2
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better69
Pos.		202469
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
62	Albania	46.7%
63	Azerbaijan	46.0%
64	Macedonia	45.7%
65	Moldova	45.5%
66	S. Africa	45.4%
67	Kuwait	44.9%
68	Montenegro	44.9%
69	Morocco	44.8%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. Moldova's Culture, Peace and Inequality

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

Compared to Europe (2025)70
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank70
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
30	Bulgaria	60.4
31	Romania	62.2
32	Albania	63.3
33	Moldova	65.3
34	Serbia	70.1
35	Montenegro	72.6
36	Bosnia & Herzegovina	73.7
37	Macedonia	74.4
38=	Kosovo	80.1
	Europe Avg	46.24
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2025)70
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank70
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
51	Romania	62.2
52	Albania	63.3
53	Brunei	64.6
54	Moldova	65.3
55	Qatar	65.3
56	Jamaica	66.2
57	Thailand	66.6
58=	Seychelles	67.2
	World Avg	80.47
q=183.

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

For more, see:

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

8.1. National Culture Datasets

#charity #corruption #freedom #happiness #internationalism #morals #politics

On the Corruption Index, Moldova scored on average 33.8 over the 2012-2016 period. Over the 10 years since then, it improved by 5.2 points.

Corruption Higher is better71
Pos.		2022 Points71
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
89=	India	40.0
89=	Guyana	40.0
91=	Belarus	39.0
91=	Moldova	39.0
91=	Colombia	39.0
94=	Ethiopia	38.0
94=	Brazil	38.0
94=	Argentina	38.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better38
Pos.		2017 Rank38
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
43	St Vincent & Grenadines	43
44	Cyprus	44
45	Japan	45
46	Moldova	46
47	Greece	47
48	Australia	48
49	Seychelles	49
50	Grenada	50
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Happiness Higher is better72
Pos.		2024 Score72
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
77	Mongolia	5.8
78	Mauritius	5.8
79	Libya	5.8
80	Moldova	5.8
81	Greece	5.8
82	Venezuela	5.7
83	Indonesia	5.6
84	Algeria	5.6
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147. Also scored for 2010s.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better38
Pos.		2017 Rank38
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
19	Malaysia	19
20	Nicaragua	20
21	Portugal	21
22	Moldova	22
23	Hungary	23
24	Jordan	24
25	Mauritius	25
26	Zimbabwe	26
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better73
Pos.		Passport Reach (2020s) Q73
1	Singapore	192.2
2	Japan	192.0
3	S. Korea	190.7
	...
83	Marshall Islands	124.3
84	Kiribati	123.5
85	Palau	120.8
86	Moldova	120.7
87	Micronesia	119.7
88	Bosnia & Herzegovina	119.0
89	Russia	117.7
90	Georgia	117.5
	Europe Avg	160.7
	World Avg	108.8
q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Higher is better74
Pos.		Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Score74
1	Denmark	9.06
2	Switzerland	9.00
3	Finland	8.96
	...
87	Paraguay	6.43
88	Ecuador	6.41
89	Honduras	6.37
90	Moldova	6.34
91	Serbia	6.33
92	Namibia	6.33
93	Bahamas	6.29
94	Nicaragua	6.25
	Europe Avg	7.65
	World Avg	6.46
q=165.

World Giving Index Higher is better75
Pos.		2022 %75
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
79=	Cameroon	37.0
79=	Iraq	37.0
79=	Croatia	37.0
79=	Moldova	37.0
79=	Israel	37.0
79=	Mauritius	37.0
79=	Lithuania	37.0
86=	Panama	36.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125. Also scored for 2010s.

8.2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets

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

Global Peace Index Lower is better76
Pos.		2023 Score76
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
54	Argentina	1.84
55	Madagascar	1.85
56	Namibia	1.86
57	Moldova	1.87
58	Chile	1.87
59	Gambia	1.89
60	Greece	1.89
61	Bosnia & Herzegovina	1.89
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163. Also scored for 2010s.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better38
Pos.		2017 Rank38
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
4	Egypt	4
5	Nigeria	5
6	Uruguay	6
7	Indonesia	7
8	Brunei	8
9	Moldova	9
10	Morocco	10
11	Oman	11
12	Tanzania	12
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better38
Pos.		2017 Rank38
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
61	Philippines	61
62	Indonesia	62
63	Uganda	63
64	Moldova	64
65	Mozambique	65
66=	Burkina Faso	66
66=	Kyrgyzstan	66
68	Iran	68
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better77
Pos.		2019 Score77
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
23	Norway	0.08
24	Lesotho	0.10
25	Liberia	0.11
26=	Moldova	0.12
26=	Serbia	0.12
26=	Estonia	0.12
29	New Zealand	0.14
30	Uruguay	0.17
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

8.3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets

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

Poverty (2020s) Lower is better78
Pos.		Poverty (2020s) %78
1	Malaysia	0.01%
2	Bhutan	0.01%
3	Cyprus	0.02%
	...
9	Belgium	0.06%
10	Netherlands	0.07%
11	France	0.08%
12	Moldova	0.09%
13	Finland	0.09%
14	Luxembourg	0.09%
15	Switzerland	0.11%
16	Ireland	0.15%
	Europe Avg	1.20%
	World Avg	11.40%
q=106. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better79
Pos.		201979
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
75	Iran	9.20
76	Mauritius	9.40
77=	Seychelles	9.60
77=	Moldova	9.60
79=	Jamaica	10.00
79=	Samoa	10.00
81	Tonga	10.40
82	Mexico	10.50
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better80
Pos.		2023 %80
1	Slovakia	24.1%81
2	Slovenia	24.3%81
3	Belarus	24.4%82
4	Ukraine	25.6%82
5=	Moldova	25.7%81
5=	Netherlands	25.7%81
7	Iceland	26.1%83
8	Czechia	26.2%81
9=	Kyrgyzstan	26.4%84
9=	UAE	26.4%85
11=	Syria	26.6%84
11=	Azerbaijan	26.6%86
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better87
Pos.		2018 Severity87
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
9	Maldives	.003
10	Albania	.003
11	Thailand	.003
12	Moldova	.004
13	Palestine	.004
14	Tunisia	.005
15	St Lucia	.007
16	Libya	.007
	Europe Avg	.004
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)62
Pos.		Lower is better %62
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
39	Azerbaijan	38
40	Chile	41
41=	Croatia	42
41=	Moldova	42
43	Argentina	43
44	Mexico	45
45	Kyrgyzstan	47
46	Kosovo	48
47=	Tajikistan	50
47=	Romania	50
49	Georgia	51
50=	Armenia	53
50=	USA	53
52	Bosnia & Herzegovina	54
53=	Greece	56
53=	Paraguay	56
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)88
Pos.		Higher is better %88
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
45=	Croatia	7
45=	Kyrgyzstan	7
45=	Cambodia	7
48=	Moldova	6
48=	Italy	6
50=	Laos	5
50=	Ireland	5
50=	Mozambique	5
53=	Zimbabwe	4
53=	Namibia	4
53=	Iran	4
53=	Mexico	4
53=	Portugal	4
53=	Romania	4
53=	Argentina	4
53=	Georgia	4
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Pew Forum polling over the decades has found the following adherency rates:₈₉:

	2010	2020
Christian	97.9%	99.5%
Unaffiliated	1.31%	0.234%
Muslim	0.133%	0.181%
Other	0.662%	<0.1%
Jewish	<0.1%	<0.1%
Buddhist	<0.1%	<0.1%
Hindu	None	None

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 99.7% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (6%). 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!).

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 99.8% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 42% 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: Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)₉₀.

Links:

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