Portugal (Portuguese Republic)

Portugal Portuguese Republic
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	26th best
Capital	Lisbon
Land Area	91 470km21
Location	Europe
Population	10.3m2
Life Expectancy	81.04yrs (2017)3
GNI	$33 155 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	PT, PRT, 6205
Internet Domain	.pt6
Currency	Euro (EUR)7
Telephone	+3518

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

---

1. Overview

#eu #human_rights #portugal

“Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of its wealthiest colony of Brazil in 1822. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Medieval castles, cobblestone villages, captivating cities and golden beaches: the Portugal experience can be many things. History, great food and idyllic scenery are just the beginning… Celts, Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Christians all left their mark on the Iberian peninsula nation. Here, you can gaze upon 20,000-year-old stone carvings in the Vila Nova de Foz Côa, watch the sunset over mysterious megaliths outside évora or lose yourself in the elaborate corridors of Unesco World Heritage sites in Tomar, Belém, Alcobaça or Batalha. You can pack an itinerary visiting palaces set above mist-covered woodlands, craggy clifftop castles and stunningly preserved medieval town centres.

Outside the cities, Portugal´s beauty unfolds in all its startling variety. You can go hiking amid the granite peaks of Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês or take in the pristine scenery and historic villages of the little-explored Beiras. More than 800km of coast offers a multitude of places to soak up the splendour. Gaze out over dramatic end-of-the-world cliffs, surf stellar breaks off dune-covered beaches or laze peacefully on sandy islands fronting calm blue seas.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

The EU has acted on behalf of its member states on many occasions to support, foster, fund and encourage human rights protections in every region of the world, with agreement of its member states through the European Parliament. The protections of workers' rights and their harmonisations (which stops companies moving staff to countries with the weakest laws) has had great effect in stopping workforce abuse₁₁. According to Human Rights Watch's comprehensive review for the year 2017, in addition to vocal and public pronouncements on poor human rights records of many countries, the EU has also acted through economic sanctions, political pressure and used other means to incentivize the adoption of human rights protections, even if these measures harm EU trading₁₂. It is to Portugal's credit that it supports the EU in these actions.

2. Portugal National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)13
Pos.		Higher is better Value13
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
35=	Bahrain	0.875
35=	Lithuania	0.875
35=	Saudi Arabia	0.875
38	Portugal	0.866
39	Latvia	0.863
40=	Croatia	0.858
40=	Andorra	0.858
42	Qatar	0.855
	Europe Avg	0.87
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)13
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $13
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
38	Cyprus	$38 188
39	Estonia	$38 048
40	Lithuania	$37 931
41	Portugal	$33 155
42	Poland	$33 034
43	Latvia	$32 803
44	Hungary	$32 789
45	Turkey	$31 033
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index14
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank14
1	Denmark	27.4
2	Norway	27.6
3	Sweden	30.4
	...
23	Estonia	47.9
24	Czechia	49.3
25	Malta	50.7
26	Portugal	50.8
27	USA	51.3
28	Uruguay	52.0
29	Monaco	52.2
30	Hungary	53.6
	Europe Avg	57.5
	World Avg	89.7
q=198.

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. Portugal's Demographics and Migration

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

Population:

Portugal's population is predicted to rise to 10.31 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.43. 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 8.86.₁₅

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
84	Czechia	10.7m
85	Dominican Rep.	10.6m
86	Greece	10.5m
87	Portugal	10.3m
88	Sweden	10.0m
89	Jordan	10.0m
90	Azerbaijan	9.9m
91	Hungary	9.7m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better13
Pos.		2021 Years13
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
24	Austria	81.6
25	Denmark	81.4
26	Cyprus	81.2
27	Portugal	81.0
28	San Marino	80.9
29	UK	80.7
30	Slovenia	80.7
31	Germany	80.6
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best16
Pos.		202216
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
98	UAE	1.44
99	Oman	2.57
100=	Greece	1.43
100=	Portugal	1.43
102	Bolivia	2.58
103	Russia	1.42
104=	Austria	1.41
104=	Norway	1.41
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better17
Pos.		2016 Per 10017
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
178	Netherlands	41.9
179	Slovenia	42.7
180	Finland	43.3
181	Hong Kong	43.7
182	Portugal	44.7
183	Germany	47.7
184	Italy	48.6
185	Japan	53.1
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

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

Migration:

Immigrants18
Pos.		2017 %18
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
62	Serbia	9.1%
63	Ivory Coast	9.0%
64	Malaysia	8.5%
65	Portugal	8.5%
66	Suriname	8.5%
67	Costa Rica	8.4%
68	Russia	8.1%
69	Congo, (Brazzaville)	7.6%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants19
Pos.		2010 %19
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
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%
31	Micronesia	19.7%
32	Belarus	18.4%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Portugal's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

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

Compared to Europe (2025)20
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank20
1	Sweden	8.5
2	Denmark	13.5
3	Norway	13.5
	...
16	Czechia	34.8
17	Ireland	35.3
18	Slovakia	38.7
19	Portugal	39.4
20	Estonia	39.6
21	Cyprus	42.8
22	Poland	43.7
23	Romania	44.7
24	Switzerland	45.5
	Europe Avg	51.0
q=49.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)20
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank20
1	Sweden	8.5
2	Denmark	13.5
3	Norway	13.5
	...
24	Chile	37.0
25	Slovakia	38.7
26	Japan	38.8
27	Portugal	39.4
28	Estonia	39.6
29	Cyprus	42.8
30	Poland	43.7
31	Argentina	44.2
	World Avg	87.8
q=200.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Denmark and Norway₂₁. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, The Vatican City and Sudan₂₁.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are statistics 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 Europe₂₁, whereas the worst are Melanesia, The Middle East and Micronesia₂₁.

For more, see:

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

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Press Freedom Lower is better22
Pos.		201322
1	Finland	638
2	Netherlands	648
3	Norway	652
	...
25	Cape Verde	1433
26	Australia	1524
27	Uruguay	1592
28	Portugal	1675
29	UK	1689
30	Ghana	1727
31	Suriname	1819
32	USA	1822
	Europe Avg	2044
	World Avg	3249
q=178.

Slavery Lower is better23
Pos.		2018 % Victims23
1	Japan	0.03
2=	Canada	0.05
2=	Taiwan	0.05
	...
46	Italy	0.24
47=	Morocco	0.24
48	El Salvador	0.25
49=	Portugal	0.25
50	Peru	0.26
51=	Guyana	0.26
51=	Jamaica	0.26
53	Mexico	0.27
	Europe Avg	0.38
	World Avg	0.65
q=167.

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better24
Pos.		2014 Rank24
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
	...
16	Malta	16
17	Belgium	17
18	Czechia	18
19	Portugal	19
20	Lithuania	20
21=	Estonia	21
21=	Poland	21
23	USA	23
	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
	...
7=	Cyprus	1.0
7=	Denmark	1.0
7=	Dominica	1.0
7=	Portugal	1.0
7=	Slovenia	1.0
7=	Palau	1.0
7=	Czechia	1.0
7=	Finland	1.0
	Europe Avg	2.2
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Human Rights Watch Comments Higher is better25
Pos.		2017 Score25
1=	UK	9
1=	France	9
1=	Germany	9
	...
14	Denmark	5
15=	Romania	5
15=	Estonia	5
15=	Portugal	5
15=	Bulgaria	5
15=	Spain	5
15=	Malta	5
15=	Italy	5
	Europe Avg	3.5
	World Avg	-1.9
q=123.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better26
Pos.		2009 Treaties26
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
43	Bulgaria	20
44=	Burkina Faso	20
44=	Norway	20
44=	Portugal	20
44=	Poland	20
44=	S. Korea	20
44=	Panama	20
44=	New Zealand	20
	Europe Avg	19.5
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better27
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty27
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
37	Italy	6.56
38	Russia	6.58
39	UK	6.62
40	Portugal	6.69
41	Bolivia	6.70
42	El Salvador	6.80
43	Rwanda	6.83
44	Sri Lanka	6.91
	Europe Avg	9.09
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

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

“Concerns about police brutality and accountability for police misconduct persisted. The safeguards against gender based violence remained inadequate. Thousands of people continued to live in inadequate housing conditions. Migrant workers in the agricultural sector suffered from exploitative conditions of employment.”

"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)₂₈

Gender Equality:

Portugal is notable for its equality between the sexes, even though women were prevented equal voting and standing rights until quite late.

See:

• "Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree

Gender Inequality Lower is better29
Pos.		201529
1	Switzerland	0.04
2	Denmark	0.04
3	Netherlands	0.04
	...
14	Austria	0.08
15	Spain	0.08
16	Italy	0.08
17	Portugal	0.09
18	Canada	0.10
19	France	0.10
20	Israel	0.10
21	Japan	0.12
	Europe Avg	0.15
	World Avg	0.36
q=159.

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
167=	Cape Verde	1975
167=	Angola	1975
167=	Mozambique	1975
170	Portugal	1976
171	Guinea-Bissau	1977
172	Zimbabwe	1978
173=	Marshall Islands	1979
173=	Palau	1979
	Europe Avg	1895
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

Anti-Semite Opinions Lower is better30
Pos.		2014 %30
1	Laos	0
2	Philippines	3
3	Sweden	4
	...
25=	Ireland	20
25=	Italy	20
25=	China	20
28	Portugal	21
29=	Ivory Coast	22
29=	Estonia	22
31	Japan	23
32=	Trinidad & Tobago	24
	Europe Avg	29.9
	World Avg	36.8
q=101.

LGBT Equality Higher is better31
Pos.		2017 Score31
1	Netherlands	103
2	Belgium	90
3	Sweden	86
	...
16=	Malta	63
16=	Andorra	63
16=	New Zealand	63
16=	Portugal	63
20	Canada	62
21	Colombia	58
22	Finland	57
23	Austria	56
	Europe Avg	46.9
	World Avg	12.6
q=196.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better32
Pos.		202132
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
	...
79	Montenegro	2.8
80=	Monaco	2.8
80=	Mauritius	2.8
80=	Portugal	2.8
80=	UK	2.8
80=	Argentina	2.8
80=	Slovakia	2.8
80=	Venezuela	2.8
	Europe Avg	2.6
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Portugal's Health

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

Compared to Europe (2020)33
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank33
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Liechtenstein	50.0
3	Norway	66.3
	...
15	Luxembourg	83.0
16=	Ireland	83.6
16=	UK	83.6
18	Portugal	84.3
19	Spain	84.4
20	Germany	84.5
21	Greece	86.0
22	Austria	86.8
23	Slovenia	87.3
	Europe Avg	87.7
q=47.

Health (2020)33
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank33
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Maldives	41.7
3	Sri Lanka	43.1
	...
52=	UK	83.6
53	Australia	84.1
54=	Guyana	84.3
54=	Portugal	84.3
56	Spain	84.4
57	Germany	84.5
58	El Salvador	84.6
59	Israel	85.4
	World Avg	95.1
q=198.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, The Maldives and Sri Lanka₃₄. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, The Marshall Islands and Nigeria₃₄.

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 Mediterranean₃₄, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia₃₄.

For more, see:

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

Health:

Portugal does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Portugal does better than average for its average life expectancy₁₃, its adolescent birth rate₂₉, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₅, its immunizations take-up₃₆ and in its fertility rate₁₆ (but high for Europe). But, things could still be better. Portugal does worse than average in its suicide rate₃₇ (still low for Europe) and in its smoking rate₃₈ (still low for Europe). And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in terms of its alcohol consumption rate₃₉. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Portugal improved by +7.4yrs in the 30 years from 1990, on par with the global average improvement of +7.9yrs. Portugal's peak fertility rate was 3.23 in 1962.

Life Expectancy Higher is better13
Pos.		2021 Years13
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
24	Austria	81.6
25	Denmark	81.4
26	Cyprus	81.2
27	Portugal	81.0
28	San Marino	80.9
29	UK	80.7
30	Slovenia	80.7
31	Germany	80.6
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better39
Pos.		2016 Per Capita39
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
174	Russia	11.7
175	Seychelles	12.0
176	Belgium	12.1
177	Portugal	12.3
178=	Slovenia	12.6
178=	France	12.6
180	Romania	12.7
181=	Bulgaria	12.7
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best16
Pos.		202216
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
98	UAE	1.44
99	Oman	2.57
100=	Greece	1.43
100=	Portugal	1.43
102	Bolivia	2.58
103	Russia	1.42
104=	Austria	1.41
104=	Norway	1.41
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better38
Pos.		201438
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
124	Latvia	1 041
125	USA	1 083
126	Finland	1 083
127	Portugal	1 113
128	Moldova	1 114
129	Lithuania	1 124
130	Uruguay	1 135
131	Canada	1 154
	Europe Avg	1 648
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate37
Pos.		2013 Per 100k37
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
46	Kyrgyzstan	17.7
47	Netherlands	18.6
48	Luxembourg	19.3
49	Portugal	19.6
50	Singapore	20.6
51	India	20.8
52	Trinidad & Tobago	21.7
53	USA	22.2
	Europe Avg	26.99
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
36	Fiji	36
37	Thailand	37
38	Pakistan	38
39	Portugal	39
40	Brazil	40
41	Iceland	41
42	El Salvador	42
43	Russia	43
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better40
Pos.		2016 %40
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
111=	Vanuatu	57.1
111=	Serbia	57.1
111=	Russia	57.1
114	Portugal	57.5
115=	Peru	57.5
116	Albania	57.7
117=	Romania	57.7
118	Netherlands	57.8
	Europe Avg	58.5
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better29
Pos.		2015 Per 100029
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
	...
31	Israel	9.7
32	Canada	9.8
33	Kuwait	9.8
34	Portugal	9.9
35	Czechia	9.9
36	Ireland	10.4
37	Algeria	10.6
38	Qatar	10.7
	Europe Avg	14.6
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better36
Pos.		2015 Avg %36
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
52	Nicaragua	95.9
53	Tunisia	95.7
54	Japan	95.7
55	Portugal	95.7
56=	Qatar	95.6
56=	Armenia	95.6
58	Uruguay	95.6
59	Bhutan	95.6
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Portugal's Responsibility Towards The Environment

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

Compared to Europe (2023)41
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank41
1	Greece	50.4
2	Italy	51.8
3	Germany	55.8
4=	Norway	56.0
4=	Sweden	56.0
6	Portugal	57.0
7=	Spain	57.6
8	Switzerland	60.8
9=	France	61.8
9=	Denmark	61.8
11	Luxembourg	64.2
12	Netherlands	65.8
13=	Austria	66.6
	Europe Avg	79.9
q=43.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)41
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank41
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Uruguay	48.0
	...
15=	Sweden	56.0
15=	Norway	56.0
17	Jordan	56.5
18	Portugal	57.0
19	Kenya	57.4
20	N. Korea	57.5
21=	Spain	57.6
21=	Zambia	57.6
	World Avg	85.7
q=188.

Portugal ranks 18th-best in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. Portugal comes in the best 20 when it comes to its score on the Green Future Index₄₂ (but bad for Europe). It does better than average in energy to GDP efficiency₄₃, its environmental performance₄₄, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₅, how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity and in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₆. Portugal does not succeed in everything, however. Portugal sits amongst the bottom 20 in terms of reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₇ (one of the worst in Europe).

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better46
Pos.		Total46
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
71	Austria	1.6%
72	Czechia	1.5%
73	Slovakia	1.3%
74	Portugal	1.0%
75	Micronesia	0.9%
76	Iraq	0.9%
77	Russia	0.7%
78	French Polynesia	0.6%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better44
Pos.		201844
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
23	Taiwan	72.8
24	Cyprus	72.6
25	Canada	72.2
26	Portugal	71.9
27	USA	71.2
28	Slovakia	70.6
29	Lithuania	69.3
30=	Bulgaria	67.9
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better43
Pos.		201443
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
23=	Spain	12.50
23=	Yemen	12.50
25	Namibia	12.35
26=	Portugal	12.35
26=	Botswana	12.35
28	Ecuador	11.90
29=	Egypt	11.76
29=	El Salvador	11.76
	Europe Avg	09.80
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
37	Barbados	1994 Mar 10
38	Sweden	1994 Mar 16
39=	Spain	1994 Mar 21
39=	Portugal	1994 Mar 21
39=	Germany	1994 Mar 21
39=	Denmark	1994 Mar 21
43	Belize	1994 Mar 30
44	Albania	1994 Apr 05
	Europe Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better45
Pos.		2011 %45
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
28	Morocco	60.0%
29	Malta	57.3%
30	Ecuador	57.2%
31	Portugal	55.8%
32	Hong Kong	54.8%
33	Lebanon	54.3%
34	Nepal	52.8%
35	Chad	52.8%
	Europe Avg	33.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better47
Pos.		2021 kg47
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
168	Taiwan	89.8
169	Croatia	90.8
170	French Polynesia	92.5
171	Portugal	94.6
172	St Kitts & Nevis	96.6
173	Chile	97.8
174	Brazil	98.8
175	Spain	100.3
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Portugal was nearly double the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment, although the rate during that decade was reducing.₄₇

Green Future Index Higher is better42
Pos.		2023 Score42
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
15=	Canada	5.7
16	Luxembourg	5.6
17	Greece	5.6
18	Portugal	5.5
19	USA	5.4
20=	Switzerland	5.4
20=	Poland	5.4
22	Austria	5.4
	Europe Avg	5.6
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

7. Portugal's Modernity and Learning

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

Compared to Europe (2020)48
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank48
1	Finland	7.7
2	Switzerland	14.7
3	Denmark	14.8
	...
22	Poland	33.1
23	Spain	34.1
24	Italy	37.4
25	Portugal	38.9
26	Slovakia	39.0
27	Greece	40.6
28	Croatia	43.0
29	Bulgaria	44.0
30	Romania	45.8
	Europe Avg	40.6
q=49.

Modernity & Learning (2020)48
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank48
1	Finland	7.7
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	14.7
	...
32	Poland	33.1
33	Spain	34.1
34	Italy	37.4
35	Portugal	38.9
36	Slovakia	39.0
37	Greece	40.6
38	Russia	41.5
39	Croatia	43.0
	World Avg	82.7
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

In the 1990s, Portugal was one of only ten countries to increase its expected duration of education by over 3 years. ₄₉

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2950
2	Israel	4.1150
3	Japan	3.5850
	...
24	Estonia	1.4350
25	Hungary	1.3750
26	Italy	1.2950
27	Portugal	1.2850
28	Luxembourg	1.2650
29	Spain	1.2250
30	Russia	1.1950
31	New Zealand	1.1751
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better52
Pos.		201852
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
100	Dominican Rep.	56.6%
101	Uruguay	56.0%
102	Lebanon	54.9%
103	Portugal	54.2%
104	Turkey	53.1%
105	Costa Rica	52.9%
106	Colombia	52.0%
107	Ecuador	51.9%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better53
Pos.		2021 Years53
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
17	UK	17.3
18	Hong Kong	17.3
19	Germany	17.0
20	Portugal	16.9
21	Malta	16.8
22	Uruguay	16.8
23	Chile	16.7
24	Costa Rica	16.5
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
36	Estonia	36
37	Luxembourg	37
38	USA	38
39	Portugal	39
40	Spain	40
41	Italy	41
42	Slovakia	42
43	Marshall Islands	43
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better54
Pos.		2015 Score54
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
21=	Vietnam	1507
21=	Australia	1507
23	UK	1499
24	Portugal	1491
25=	France	1487
25=	Sweden	1487
27	Austria	1477
28	Russia	1476
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

Religiosity Lower is better55
Pos.		2018 %55
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
35	Poland	30
36	Serbia	34
37=	Israel	36
37=	Portugal	36
39	Azerbaijan	38
40	Chile	41
41=	Croatia	42
41=	Moldova	42
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better56
Pos.		200656
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
36=	Uruguay	96
36=	Slovenia	96
36=	Slovakia	96
39	Portugal	95
40=	Israel	95
41	Kazakhstan	94
42=	Vietnam	94
42=	Armenia	94
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better57
Pos.		201657
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
60	Trinidad & Tobago	69%
61	Malaysia	69%
62	Greenland	67%
63	Portugal	67%
64	Brazil	66%
65	St Kitts & Nevis	66%
66	Dominica	66%
67	Italy	66%
	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
4	USA	35.0
5	Greece	33.5
6	Luxembourg	32.4
7	India	26.8
8	Portugal	26.6
9	Ireland	26.1
10	UK	24.7
11	Japan	22.1
12	France	18.8
	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%
	...
26	Italy	63.3%
27	Czechia	63.2%
28	Latvia	63.2%
29	Portugal	62.8%
30	Slovenia	62.3%
31	Cyprus	61.6%
32	New Zealand	61.1%
33	Croatia	61.1%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

Portugal has a good long-term record on keeping corruption low.

World Giving Index Higher is better60
Pos.		2022 %60
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
115=	Armenia	29.0
116	Tunisia	28.0
117	Laos	27.0
118	Portugal	26.0
119	Lebanon	24.0
120	Egypt	23.0
121	S. Korea	22.0
122=	Afghanistan	21.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better61
Pos.		2022 Points61
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
31	S. Korea	63.0
32=	Israel	63.0
33	Lithuania	62.0
34=	Portugal	62.0
35	Cape Verde	60.0
36=	Spain	60.0
36=	St Vincent & Grenadines	60.0
36=	Botswana	60.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better62
Pos.		2018 Score62
1	Finland	7.6
2	Norway	7.6
3	Denmark	7.6
	...
74=	Belarus	5.5
75	Pakistan	5.5
76	Hong Kong	5.4
77	Portugal	5.4
78	Serbia	5.4
79	Greece	5.4
80	Tajikistan	5.4
81	Montenegro	5.3
	Europe Avg	6.06
	World Avg	5.38
q=156.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
9	Czechia	9
10	Luxembourg	10
11	UK	11
12	Portugal	12
13	Finland	13
14	France	14
15	Germany	15
16	Slovenia	16
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
18	Singapore	18
19	Malaysia	19
20	Nicaragua	20
21	Portugal	21
22	Moldova	22
23	Hungary	23
24	Jordan	24
25	Mauritius	25
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

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

Global Peace Index Lower is better63
Pos.		2023 Score63
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
4	New Zealand	1.31
5	Austria	1.32
6	Singapore	1.33
7	Portugal	1.33
8	Slovenia	1.33
9	Japan	1.34
10	Switzerland	1.34
11	Canada	1.35
12	Czechia	1.38
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
130	Papua New Guinea	130
131	Syria	131
132	Belarus	132
133	Portugal	133
134	El Salvador	134
135	Macedonia	135
136	Armenia	136
137	Dominica	137
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
25	S. Africa	25
26	Chile	26
27	Panama	27
28	Portugal	28
29	USA	29
30	Singapore	30
31	Greece	31
32	Bulgaria	32
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better64
Pos.		2019 Score64
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
4	Equatorial Guinea	0.00
5	Cambodia	0.00
6	Portugal	0.00
7	Croatia	0.00
8	Benin	0.00
9	Mauritania	0.00
10	Slovenia	0.00
11	Costa Rica	0.00
12	Romania	0.00
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

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

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better65
Pos.		201965
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
14	Israel	3.30
15=	Luxembourg	3.40
15=	Ireland	3.40
17	Portugal	3.50
18=	Greece	3.50
18=	Switzerland	3.50
20	Belgium	3.60
21=	Estonia	3.60
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better66
Pos.		2023 %66
1	Slovakia	24.1%67
2	Slovenia	24.3%67
3	Belarus	24.4%68
	...
76=	Latvia	34.3%67
76=	Australia	34.3%69
78	Benin	34.4%67
79	Portugal	34.6%67
80=	Iran	34.8%70
80=	Italy	34.8%67
82	Thailand	34.9%67
83	Ethiopia	35.0%71
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

11. Religion and Beliefs

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

Religiosity (2018)55
Pos.		Lower is better %55
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
35	Poland	30
36	Serbia	34
37=	Israel	36
37=	Portugal	36
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
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)72
Pos.		Higher is better %72
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
54=	Namibia	4
54=	Iran	4
54=	Mexico	4
54=	Portugal	4
54=	Romania	4
54=	Argentina	4
54=	Georgia	4
54=	Uzbekistan	4
62	Lebanon	3
63=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	3
63=	Poland	3
63=	Jamaica	3
63=	India	3
67	Angola	2
68=	Chile	2
68=	Central African Rep.	2
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₇₃:

Christian	93.8%
Muslim	0.6%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.6%
Folk Religion	0.5%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	4.4%

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 95.7% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 36% 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

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Roman Catholic 84.5%, other Christian 2.2%, other 0.3%, unknown 9%, none 3.9% (2001 census)₇₄.

Links:

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