Montenegro (Republic of Montenegro)

Montenegro Republic of Montenegro
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	50th best
Capital	Podgorica
Land Area	13 450km21
Location	Europe, The Balkans, The Mediterranean
Population	0.6m2
Life Expectancy	76.34yrs (2017)3
GNI	$20 839 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	ME, MNE, 4995
Internet Domain	.me, .yu6
Currency	Euro (EUR)7
Telephone	+3828

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

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1. Overview

#croatia #serbia #switzerland

“The use of the name Crna Gora (Montenegro) began in the 13th century in reference to a highland region in the Serbian province of Zeta. The later medieval state of Zeta maintained its existence until 1496 when Montenegro finally fell under Ottoman rule. Over subsequent centuries, Montenegro, while a part of the Ottoman Empire, was able to maintain a level of autonomy. From the 16th to 19th centuries, Montenegro was a theocracy ruled by a series of bishop princes; in 1852, it was transformed into a secular principality. Montenegro was recognized as an independent sovereign principality at the Congress of Berlin in 1878. After World War I, during which Montenegro fought on the side of the Allies, Montenegro was absorbed by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929; at the conclusion of World War II, it became a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When the latter dissolved in 1992, Montenegro federated with Serbia, first as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, after 2003, in a looser State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to hold a referendum on independence from the state union. The vote for severing ties with Serbia barely exceeded 55% - the threshold set by the EU - allowing Montenegro to formally restore its independence on 3 June 2006.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Montenegro, Crna Gora, Black Mountain: the very name conjures up images of romance and drama - and this fascinating land doesn´t disappoint on either front. Imagine a place with sapphire beaches as spectacular as Croatia´s, rugged peaks as dramatic as Switzerland´s, canyons nearly as deep as Colorado´s, palazzos as elegant as Venice´s and towns as old as Greece´s and then wrap it up in a Mediterranean climate and squish it into an area two-thirds the size of Wales and you start to get a picture of Montenegro.

There´s not a lot of it - barely 100km from tip to toe - but Montenegro´s coast is quite extraordinary. Mountains jut sharply from crystal-clear waters in such a way that the word `looming´ is unavoidable. As if that wasn´t picturesque enough, ancient walled towns cling to the rocks and dip their feet in the water like they´re the ones on holiday.

But when the beaches fill up with Eastern European sunseekers, intrepid travellers can easily sidestep the hordes in the rugged mountains of Durmitor and Prokletije, the primeval forest of Biogradska Gora or in the many towns and villages where ordinary Montenegrins go about their daily lives.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Montenegro 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
	...
46	Hungary	0.846
47	Argentina	0.842
48	Turkey	0.838
49	Montenegro	0.832
50	Kuwait	0.831
51	Brunei	0.829
52	Russia	0.822
53	Romania	0.821
	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
	...
62	Mauritius	$22 025
63	Uruguay	$21 269
64	Argentina	$20 925
65	Montenegro	$20 839
66	Costa Rica	$19 974
67	Serbia	$19 123
68	Belarus	$18 849
69	Dominican Rep.	$17 990
	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
	...
47	Argentina	70.7
48	Israel	71.4
49	Brazil	72.6
50	Montenegro	72.7
51	Thailand	73.5
52	Serbia	74.8
53	Barbados	75.5
54	San Marino	76.1
	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. Montenegro's Demographics and Migration

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

Population:

Montenegro's population is predicted to rise to 632 543 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 1.80. 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. 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
	...
161	Guyana	0.8m
162	Bhutan	0.8m
163	Solomon Islands	0.7m
164	Montenegro	0.6m
165	Luxembourg	0.6m
166	Suriname	0.6m
167	Cape Verde	0.5m
168	Maldives	0.5m
	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
	...
51	Poland	76.5
52	Sri Lanka	76.4
53	Algeria	76.4
54	Montenegro	76.3
55	Panama	76.2
56	Turkey	76.0
57	Uruguay	75.4
58	Argentina	75.4
	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
	...
24	Venezuela	2.19
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
	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
	...
139	Ireland	29.2
140	Russia	29.5
141	Georgia	29.7
142	Montenegro	30.0
143	Belarus	30.3
144	Ukraine	30.8
145	Australia	31.3
146	Slovakia	31.6
	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%
	...
51	Slovenia	11.8%
52	Denmark	11.5%
53	Belarus	11.4%
54	Montenegro	11.3%
55	Ukraine	11.2%
56	Belgium	11.1%
57	Greece	10.9%
58	Malta	10.6%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
185	Qatar	0.7%
186	Nigeria	0.6%
187	Maldives	0.6%
188	China	0.6%
189	Japan	0.6%
190	Oman	0.5%
191	Madagascar	0.4%
192	Montenegro	0.0%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Montenegro's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#antisemitism #equality #freedom #freethought #gender #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #misogyny #montenegro #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #slavery #tolerance #women

Compared to Europe (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
34	Andorra	61.5
35	Ukraine	63.6
36	Serbia	63.7
37	Montenegro	65.3
38	Monaco	71.7
39	Macedonia	72.8
40	Albania	73.6
41	Bosnia & Herzegovina	76.0
42	Georgia	76.4
	Europe Avg	47.37
q=48.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
54	Jamaica	64.1
55	S. Africa	64.3
56	Panama	64.4
57	Montenegro	65.3
58	Israel	65.7
59	Trinidad & Tobago	66.2
60	Mexico	66.2
61	Bolivia	66.3
	World Avg	86.55
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Denmark and Norway₁₉. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, N. Korea and Afghanistan₁₉.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, 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 Europe₁₉, whereas the worst are Africa, The Middle East and Asia₁₉.

For more, see:

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

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Press Freedom Higher is better20
Pos.		202520
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
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
40	Fiji	71.20
41	Gabon	70.65
	Europe Avg	70.63
	World Avg	54.65
q=179.

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

Slavery Lower is better21
Pos.		2018 % Victims21
1	Japan	0.03
2=	Canada	0.05
2=	Taiwan	0.05
	...
109	Gambia	0.58
110=	Lithuania	0.58
111	Ivory Coast	0.59
112=	Montenegro	0.59
113	Nepal	0.60
114=	Croatia	0.60
115	Ethiopia	0.61
116=	India	0.61
	Europe Avg	0.38
	World Avg	0.65
q=167.

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better22
Pos.		2014 Rank22
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
	...
42	Uruguay	42
43	Georgia	43
44=	Croatia	44
44=	Montenegro	44
46	Panama	46
47	Mongolia	47
48=	Bahamas	48
48=	Greece	48
	Europe Avg	33.9
	World Avg	79.7
q=159.

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
88	Paraguay	3.0
89=	Malawi	3.0
89=	Moldova	3.0
89=	Montenegro	3.0
89=	Macedonia	3.0
89=	India	3.0
89=	Fiji	3.0
89=	Ecuador	3.0
	Europe Avg	2.2
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better23
Pos.		2009 Treaties23
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
17	Belgium	22
18=	Austria	22
19	Brazil	21
20=	Montenegro	21
20=	Guatemala	21
20=	Mali	21
20=	Azerbaijan	21
20=	Bosnia & Herzegovina	21
	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
	...
169	Zimbabwe	13.95
170	Djibouti	13.99
171	St Lucia	14.11
172	Montenegro	14.20
173	USA	14.23
174	Malaysia	14.35
175	N. Korea	14.52
176	UAE	14.81
	Europe Avg	9.09
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Amnesty International's 2023-23 report had little to say about Montenegro: "Impunity persisted for crimes under international law, torture and attacks on journalists. Police failed to respond adequately to domestic violence. Verbal abuse and threats against discriminated groups exacerbated ethnic divisions"₂₅.

Gender Equality:

Montenegro is on the way towards ending gender inequality.

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
	...
33	Czechia	0.12
34	Greece	0.12
35	Albania	0.12
36	Montenegro	0.12
37	Macedonia	0.14
38	Bosnia & Herzegovina	0.14
39	Latvia	0.15
40	Malta	0.15
	Europe Avg	0.12
	World Avg	0.34
q=166.

Data starts in 2006, so the 2000s average may be a little skewed due to low number of datapoints.

Prejudice:

Anti-Semite Opinions Lower is better27
Pos.		2014 %27
1	Laos	0
2	Philippines	3
3	Sweden	4
	...
40=	Slovenia	27
41	Austria	28
42=	Latvia	28
43	Montenegro	29
44=	Spain	29
45	Venezuela	30
46=	Moldova	30
46=	Russia	30
	Europe Avg	29.9
	World Avg	36.8
q=101.

LGBT Equality Higher is better28
Pos.		2017 Score28
1	Netherlands	103
2	Belgium	90
3	Sweden	86
	...
46=	Slovakia	39
46=	Romania	39
48	San Marino	35
49=	Montenegro	35
49=	Guatemala	35
49=	Japan	35
49=	Bosnia & Herzegovina	35
49=	Georgia	35
	Europe Avg	46.9
	World Avg	12.6
q=196.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better29
Pos.		202129
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
79	Jamaica	2.8
80=	Mauritius	2.8
80=	Gambia	2.8
80=	Montenegro	2.8
80=	Argentina	2.8
80=	UK	2.8
80=	Malta	2.8
80=	Denmark	2.8
	Europe Avg	2.6
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Montenegro's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #montenegro #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #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
	...
17	Italy	65.0
18	Austria	65.0
19	Andorra	65.6
20	Montenegro	66.5
21	Slovenia	67.5
22	Ireland	68.0
23	UK	68.4
24	Spain	70.8
25	Portugal	72.3
	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
	...
31	Austria	65.0
32	Andorra	65.6
33	Australia	66.3
34	Montenegro	66.5
35	St Martin	66.7
36	Slovenia	67.5
37	Ireland	68.0
38	UK	68.4
	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:

Montenegro has some poor policies and cultural issues which cause some public health problems. Montenegro does better than average for its fertility rate₁₄, its adolescent birth rate₃₂ (but bad for Europe) and in its average life expectancy₁₁ (but low for Europe). But, things still need to improve in Montenegro. Montenegro does worse than average when it comes to the prevalence of overweight adults₃₃ (still good for Europe), its alcohol consumption rate₃₄ (still low for Europe), its immunizations take-up₃₅ and in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₆ (amongst the highest in Europe). And finally, it is the worst in its smoking rate₃₇. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Montenegro improved by just +1.5yrs in the 30 years from 1990, significantly less than almost everywhere else in the world. Montenegro's peak fertility rate was 3.5 in 1960.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
51	Poland	76.5
52	Sri Lanka	76.4
53	Algeria	76.4
54	Montenegro	76.3
55	Panama	76.2
56	Turkey	76.0
57	Uruguay	75.4
58	Argentina	75.4
	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
	...
116=	Brazil	7.8
117	Panama	7.9
118=	Japan	8.0
118=	Montenegro	8.0
120	Malta	8.1
121=	Macedonia	8.1
122	Burkina Faso	8.2
123=	St Vincent & Grenadines	8.2
	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
	...
24	Venezuela	2.19
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
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better37
Pos.		201437
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
175	Luxembourg	2 284
176	Belgium	2 353
177	Slovenia	2 637
178	Russia	2 690
179	Macedonia	2 732
180	Lebanon	3 023
181	Belarus	3 831
182	Montenegro	4 125
	Europe Avg	1 648
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better36
Pos.		2017 Rank36
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
131	Afghanistan	131
132	Suriname	132
133	Grenada	133
134	Montenegro	134
135	Iraq	135
136	Madagascar	136
137	Congo, (Brazzaville)	137
138	Albania	138
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better33
Pos.		1976 %33
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
108	Georgia	31.4
109	Portugal	31.5
110	Kazakhstan	31.9
111=	Montenegro	32.1
111=	Cuba	32.1
113	Azerbaijan	32.2
114=	Nicaragua	32.2
115	Belize	32.4
	Europe Avg	38.2
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better38
Pos.		2022 %38
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
81	Andorra	20.5%
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%
	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
	...
45	Brunei	9.5
46	Oman	9.7
47	Lithuania	9.7
48	Montenegro	9.7
49	UK	10.0
50	Latvia	10.5
51	China	11.1
52	Belarus	11.2
	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
	...
117	Jamaica	90.9
118	Burkina Faso	90.6
119	Nepal	90.1
120	Montenegro	89.9
121	Zimbabwe	89.7
122	Senegal	89.5
123	Peru	89.3
124	Ireland	89.2
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Montenegro's Responsibility Towards The Environment

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

Compared to Europe (2025)39
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank39
1	Switzerland	45.0
2	Denmark	50.4
3	Liechtenstein	56.8
	...
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
44	Armenia	108.2
45	Belarus	116.0
	Europe Avg	86.45
q=48.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)39
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank39
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
143=	Iceland	96.9
144	Laos	97.0
145=	Estonia	97.0
146	Montenegro	97.3
147	Sudan	97.8
148	Comoros	99.1
149	Russia	99.2
150	Myanmar (Burma)	99.9
	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"₄₀. 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).

Montenegro is positioned 146th in the world with regard to its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 21 data sets. Montenegro comes in the best 20 in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₁. It does better than average for its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, its environmental performance₄₂ (but low for Europe) and in energy to GDP efficiency₄₃. Montenegro does not succeed in everything, however. Montenegro does worse than average when it comes to the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₄ and in reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₅.

Environmental Performance Higher is better42
Pos.		201842
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
62	Jordan	62.2
63	Armenia	62.1
64	Peru	61.9
65	Montenegro	61.3
66	Egypt	61.2
67	Lebanon	61.1
68	Macedonia	61.1
69	Brazil	60.7
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better43
Pos.		2022 Avg43
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
75	Croatia	1.00
76	Hungary	1.01
77	Poland	1.01
78	Montenegro	1.03
79	Lesotho	1.03
80	Mauritius	1.03
81	Macedonia	1.04
82	Austria	1.04
	Europe Avg	1.25
	World Avg	1.23
q=165.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
18	Denmark	73%
19	Ecuador	72%
20	Armenia	72%
21	Montenegro	72%
22	Peru	72%
23	Mauritius	72%
24	Brazil	71%
25	Chile	71%
	Europe Avg	62.7%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better44
Pos.		2011 %44
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
77	Cambodia	37.1%
78	Namibia	36.6%
79	Germany	36.1%
80	Montenegro	35.9%
81	Rwanda	35.8%
82	Romania	33.4%
83	Luxembourg	33.3%
84	Togo	33.3%
	Europe Avg	33.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better45
Pos.		2021 kg45
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
161	Barbados	86.4
162	Canada	86.9
163	New Caledonia	87.5
164	Montenegro	88.4
165	Belarus	88.9
166	Poland	89.3
167	St Lucia	89.6
168	Taiwan	89.8
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Montenegro was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.₄₅

7. Montenegro's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #maths #modernity #research #science #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)46
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank46
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
34	Cyprus	55.6
35	Turkey	55.9
36	Serbia	57.1
37	Montenegro	64.9
38	Bosnia & Herzegovina	65.6
39	Georgia	65.6
40	Moldova	68.9
41	Albania	76.4
42	Macedonia	77.2
	Europe Avg	39.81
q=45.

Modernity & Learning (2020)46
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank46
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
59=	Tonga	62.0
60	UAE	64.3
61	Mexico	64.5
62	Montenegro	64.9
63	Bosnia & Herzegovina	65.6
64	Georgia	65.6
65	Bahrain	66.2
66	Peru	68.2
	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 Denmark₄₇. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone₄₇. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₄₈.

“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)₄₉

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 Europe₄₇, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₄₇.

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	4.2950
2	Israel	4.1150
3	Japan	3.5850
	...
69	Thailand	0.3951
70=	Tanzania	0.3852
70=	Romania	0.3850
70=	Montenegro	0.3853
70=	Chile	0.3850
70=	Ghana	0.3852
75	Moldova	0.3553
76	Ecuador	0.3451
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better54
Pos.		201854
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
35	Albania	92.9%
36	Belarus	92.2%
37	Marshall Islands	92.1%
38	Montenegro	91.6%
39	Australia	90.4%
40	Romania	90.0%
41	Botswana	90.0%
42	Serbia	89.5%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better55
Pos.		2021 Years55
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
57	Mauritius	15.2
58	Belarus	15.2
59	Croatia	15.1
60	Montenegro	15.1
61	Hungary	15.0
62	Mongolia	15.0
63	Ukraine	15.0
64	Bolivia	14.9
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better36
Pos.		2017 Rank36
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
45	Morocco	45
46	Belarus	46
47	Moldova	47
48	Montenegro	48
49	Norway	49
50	Fiji	50
51	Dominica	51
52	Malaysia	52
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better56
Pos.		2015 Score56
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
50	Turkey	1273
51	Trinidad & Tobago	1269
52	Moldova	1264
53	Montenegro	1256
54=	Costa Rica	1247
54=	Mexico	1247
56	Albania	1245
57=	Thailand	1245
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better57
Pos.		201657
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
72	French Polynesia	64%
73	Albania	63%
74	Palestine	63%
75	Montenegro	62%
76	Bosnia & Herzegovina	62%
77	Azerbaijan	61%
78	Belarus	61%
79	St Vincent & Grenadines	60%
	Europe Avg	76.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better58
Pos.		2017 Ratio58
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
168=	Dominica	0.0
168=	Cuba	0.0
168=	St Vincent & Grenadines	0.0
168=	Montenegro	0.0
168=	Libya	0.0
168=	Jamaica	0.0
168=	Fiji	0.0
168=	Jordan	0.0
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better59
Pos.		202459
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
65	Moldova	45.5%
66	S. Africa	45.4%
67	Kuwait	44.9%
68	Montenegro	44.9%
69	Morocco	44.8%
70	Mexico	44.6%
71	Vietnam	44.2%
72	Armenia	43.9%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. Montenegro's Culture, Peace and Inequality

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

Compared to Europe (2020)60
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank60
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
34	Albania	66.0
35	Bosnia & Herzegovina	68.9
36	Greece	70.9
37	Montenegro	73.2
38	Macedonia	75.2
39	Belarus	77.7
40	Armenia	82.2
41	Ukraine	84.4
42	Turkey	86.8
	Europe Avg	48.48
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2020)60
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank60
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
63	Jamaica	69.5
64	Greece	70.9
65	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	71.5
66	Montenegro	73.2
67	Argentina	73.6
68	Cuba	73.8
69	Tunisia	74.9
70	Maldives	75.1
	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 better61
Pos.		2022 %61
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
93=	Togo	34.0
93=	Mozambique	34.0
93=	Albania	34.0
93=	Montenegro	34.0
93=	Kazakhstan	34.0
93=	Gabon	34.0
93=	Taiwan	34.0
100	Bangladesh	33.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better62
Pos.		2022 Points62
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
64	Romania	46.0
65	China	45.0
66=	Sao Tome & Principe	45.0
66=	Montenegro	45.0
66=	Cuba	45.0
69	Jamaica	44.0
70=	Oman	44.0
70=	Bahrain	44.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Thoughout the 2000s, Montenegro made serious improvements to its Corruption Perception Index score (+11), sitting amongst the top-10 best-improvers that decade.

Happiness Higher is better63
Pos.		2024 Score63
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
68	China	5.9
69	Hungary	5.9
70	Trinidad & Tobago	5.9
71	Montenegro	5.9
72=	Croatia	5.9
72=	Jamaica	5.9
74	Bolivia	5.9
75	Kyrgyzstan	5.9
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better36
Pos.		2017 Rank36
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
58	Philippines	58
59	Uruguay	59
60	Samoa	60
61	Montenegro	61
62	Ukraine	62
63	Israel	63
64	Mexico	64
65	S. Africa	65
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better36
Pos.		2017 Rank36
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
68	Panama	68
69	New Zealand	69
70	Tunisia	70
71	Montenegro	71
72	Ukraine	72
73	Chile	73
74	Macedonia	74
75	Oman	75
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Peace Versus Instability:

Global Peace Index Lower is better64
Pos.		2023 Score64
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
42	Botswana	1.76
43	S. Korea	1.76
44	Mongolia	1.77
45	Montenegro	1.77
46	Laos	1.78
47	Sierra Leone	1.79
48	Oman	1.79
49	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	1.80
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better36
Pos.		2017 Rank36
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
125	Burundi	125
126	Barbados	126
127	Chad	127
128	Montenegro	128
129	Dominican Rep.	129
130	Papua New Guinea	130
131	Syria	131
132	Belarus	132
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better36
Pos.		2017 Rank36
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
38	Liberia	38
39	Turkey	39
40	Malaysia	40
41	Montenegro	41
42	Iceland	42
43	Hungary	43
44	Kenya	44
45	Serbia	45
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better65
Pos.		2019 Score65
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
51	Guinea	0.97
52	Honduras	0.99
53=	Vietnam	1.00
53=	Montenegro	1.00
55	Taiwan	1.01
56	Laos	1.03
57	Armenia	1.17
58	Senegal	1.19
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

Economic Inequality and Poverty:

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better66
Pos.		201966
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
19	Switzerland	3.50
20	Belgium	3.60
21=	Estonia	3.60
21=	Montenegro	3.60
21=	Cyprus	3.60
21=	Denmark	3.60
25	Australia	3.70
26=	Austria	3.70
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better67
Pos.		2023 %67
1	Slovakia	24.1%68
2	Slovenia	24.3%68
3	Belarus	24.4%69
	...
73	Tajikistan	34.0%70
74	Sudan	34.2%71
75=	Australia	34.3%72
75=	Montenegro	34.3%68
75=	Latvia	34.3%68
78	Benin	34.4%68
79	Portugal	34.6%68
80=	Iran	34.8%73
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better74
Pos.		2018 Severity74
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
4	Turkmenistan	.001
5	Jordan	.002
6	Kazakhstan	.002
7	Montenegro	.002
8	Trinidad & Tobago	.002
9	Maldives	.003
10	Albania	.003
11	Thailand	.003
12	Moldova	.004
	Europe Avg	.004
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #hinduism #islam #judaism

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 below₇₅:

Christian	78.1%
Muslim	18.7%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.1%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	3.2%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Orthodox 74.2%, Muslim 17.7%, Catholic 3.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 3%, atheist 1% (2003 census)₇₆.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems