The Human Truth Foundation

Russia (Russian Federation)

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

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#russia

Russia
Russian Federation
Flag
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index98th best
CapitalMoscow
Land Area16 376 870km21
LocationAsia
Population145.7m2
Life Expectancy69.42yrs (2017)3
GNI$27 166 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesRU, RUS, 6435
Internet Domain.ru, .su6
CurrencyRuble (RUB)7
Telephone+78

1. Overview

Founded in the 12th century, the Principality of Muscovy, was able to emerge from over 200 years of Mongol domination (13th-15th centuries) and to gradually conquer and absorb surrounding principalities. In the early 17th century, a new Romanov Dynasty continued this policy of expansion across Siberia to the Pacific. Under PETER I (ruled 1682-1725), hegemony was extended to the Baltic Sea and the country was renamed the Russian Empire. During the 19th century, more territorial acquisitions were made in Europe and Asia. Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 contributed to the Revolution of 1905, which resulted in the formation of a parliament and other reforms. Repeated devastating defeats of the Russian army in World War I led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and to the overthrow in 1917 of the imperial household. The Communists under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR. The brutal rule of Iosif STALIN (1928-53) strengthened Communist rule and Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives. The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the following decades until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV (1985-91) introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to modernize Communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into Russia and 14 other independent republics. Since then, Russia has shifted its post-Soviet democratic ambitions in favor of a centralized semi-authoritarian state in which the leadership seeks to legitimize its rule through managed national elections, populist appeals by President PUTIN, and continued economic growth. Russia has severely disabled a Chechen rebel movement, although violence still occurs throughout the North Caucasus.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverFrom beautiful Lake Baikal to St Petersburg´s gilded palaces, Russia is so blessed with cultural and natural treasures that it would take a lifetime to experience them all. For centuries the world has wondered about Russia. The country has been reported as a land of unbelievable riches and indescribable poverty, cruel tyrants and great minds, generous hospitality and meddlesome bureaucracy, beautiful ballets and industrial monstrosities, pious faith and unbridled hedonism.

These eternal Russian truths coexist in equally diverse landscapes of icy tundra and sunkissed beaches, dense silver-birch forests, deep, mysterious lakes, snowcapped mountains and swaying grassland steppes. Factor in ancient fortresses, luxurious palaces, swirly-spired churches and lost-in-time wooden villages and you´ll begin to see why Russia is simply amazing.

Two decades on from the demise of the Soviet Union, an economically and politically resurgent Russia is a brash, exciting and fascinating place to visit.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Russia National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
...
49Montenegro0.832
50Kuwait0.831
51Brunei0.829
52Russia0.822
53Romania0.821
54Oman0.816
55Bahamas0.812
56Kazakhstan0.811
Asia Avg0.75
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
...
48Croatia$30 132
49Romania$30 027
50Greece$29 002
51Russia$27 166
52Oman$27 054
53Panama$26 957
54Malaysia$26 658
55Seychelles$25 831
Asia Avg$22 215
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Denmark27.0
2Norway29.9
3Sweden31.8
...
95Belarus87.7
96Mongolia87.8
97Bolivia88.4
98Russia88.7
99Cape Verde88.8
100Jordan88.8
101Maldives88.9
102St Lucia89.3
Asia Avg92.0
World Avg88.6
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. Russia's Demographics and Migration

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

Population:

Russia's population is predicted to fall to 136 429 000 by 2030. Developed countries with falling populations face a pension's crises, whereby an increasingly ageing population must be cared for by fewer and fewer workers. Economic stability can be maintained by increasing foreign workers from younger countries. This country has a fertility rate of 1.42. 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
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
4Indonesia267.7m
5Pakistan212.2m
6Brazil209.5m
7Nigeria195.9m
8Bangladesh161.4m
9Russia145.7m
10Japan127.2m
11Mexico126.2m
12Ethiopia109.2m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
121Kyrgyzstan70.0
122St Vincent & Grenadines69.6
123Cambodia69.6
124Russia69.4
125Azerbaijan69.4
126Kazakhstan69.4
127Philippines69.3
128Turkmenistan69.3
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.202214
1US Virgin Islands2.00
2Ecuador2.00
3Nepal2.01
...
100=Greece1.43
100=Portugal1.43
102Bolivia2.58
103Russia1.42
104=Austria1.41
104=Norway1.41
104=Estonia1.41
107Bhutan1.40
World Avg2.47
q=208.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
15
Pos.2016
Per 10015
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
137Armenia28.7
138=Thailand29.2
138=Ireland29.2
140Russia29.5
141Georgia29.7
142Montenegro30.0
143Belarus30.3
144Ukraine30.8
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.2017
%16
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
65Portugal8.5%
66Suriname8.5%
67Costa Rica8.4%
68Russia8.1%
69Congo, (Brazzaville)7.6%
70Botswana7.3%
71St Lucia7.2%
72S. Africa7.1%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants17
Pos.2010
%17
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
79Poland8.3%
80Afghanistan8.1%
81Paraguay7.9%
82Russia7.9%
83Mali7.6%
84UK7.5%
85Honduras7.5%
86Austria7.1%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #russia #russia_women #syria #tolerance #women

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank18
1Sweden6.1
2Denmark8.6
3Norway9.0
...
109Tunisia95.2
110Belarus95.7
111Kyrgyzstan96.7
112Russia96.8
113Nepal96.9
114Timor-Leste (E. Timor)98.1
Asia Avg103.00
World Avg86.55
q=199.
Russia is very poor at ensuring human rights and freedom compared to the rest of the world, and it has cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. Russia does better than average in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)19, opposing gender inequality20, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice21 and in its nominal commitment to Human Rights22. Russia doesn't do so well in other areas. Russia does worse than average in eliminating modern slavery23, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms24, LGBT equality25, freethought26 and in its average Freedom in the World rating. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in commentary in Human Rights Watch reports27 and in supporting press freedom28. Russia was one of the 10 countries that did not sign the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 194829. It actively abuses international law to cover for its own human rights abuses and for those of its allies. By late 2017, it had cast 11 vetoes to block the UN Security Council from addressing Syrian government war crimes. In 2017, the rate of punishments for (supposedly) violating laws on public gatherings was five times greater than the year before - as protests against corruption and other issues continued, "officials harassed and intimidated protesters" including beating them30. New laws on "foreign funding" have meant that several human rights and environmental groups have had to close from 201230. In recent years, Russia has become the most repressive it has been since the breakup of the Soviet Union31. Socially, the country suffers from great inequality between the powerful and all others: the richest 1% draw 20% of the country's entire income32.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Russia's Health

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

Compared to Asia (2025)33
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank33
1=Japan44.1
2Hong Kong48.2
3Singapore49.5
...
20Lebanon76.8
21Maldives77.3
22Turkey78.6
23Russia81.8
24Azerbaijan86.0
25Iran88.6
26Kazakhstan90.7
27Uzbekistan92.2
28Indonesia93.4
Asia Avg80.90
q=50.
Health (2025)33
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank33
1Monaco14.3
2Liechtenstein30.1
3Isle of Man32.1
...
85Turkey78.6
86British Virgin Islands78.7
87Trinidad & Tobago79.4
88Russia81.8
89Costa Rica82.6
90Bahamas82.8
91Bulgaria82.8
92Belarus83.7
World Avg96.74
q=212.

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 Man34. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria34.

21 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, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans34, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia34.

For more, see:

Health:

Russia has some poor policies and cultural issues which cause some public health problems. Russia does better than average for its immunizations take-up35, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance36, its adolescent birth rate37 and in its fertility rate14. But, things still need to improve in Russia. Russia does worse than average in terms of its average life expectancy11. It falls into the worst-performing 20 when it comes to its alcohol consumption rate38 (the highest in Asia) and in its smoking rate39 (amongst the highest in Asia). And finally, it is the worst in its suicide rate40. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Russian Federation improved by +5.4yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Russia has had a long-term consistent fertility rate, and is one of only 22 countries to vary by less than 1.0 each decade since the 1960s. Its peak fertility rate was 2.52 in 1960.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
121Kyrgyzstan70.0
122St Vincent & Grenadines69.6
123Cambodia69.6
124Russia69.4
125Azerbaijan69.4
126Kazakhstan69.4
127Philippines69.3
128Turkmenistan69.3
Asia Avg73.48
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
38
Pos.2016
Per Capita38
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
171=Austria11.6
171=Estonia11.6
171=Poland11.6
174Russia11.7
175Seychelles12.0
176Belgium12.1
177Portugal12.3
178=Slovenia12.6
Asia Avg3.9
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.202214
1US Virgin Islands2.00
2Ecuador2.00
3Nepal2.01
...
100=Greece1.43
100=Portugal1.43
102Bolivia2.58
103Russia1.42
104=Austria1.41
104=Norway1.41
104=Estonia1.41
107Bhutan1.40
Asia Avg2.17
World Avg2.47
q=208.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
39
Pos.201439
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
175Luxembourg2 284
176Belgium2 353
177Slovenia2 637
178Russia2 690
179Macedonia2 732
180Lebanon3 023
181Belarus3 831
182Montenegro4 125
Asia Avg1 035
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate40
Pos.2013
Per 100k40
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
84Japan49.4
85Hungary50.6
86=Kazakhstan52.4
86=Guyana52.4
88Belarus57.5
89S. Korea62
90Russia63.4
91Lithuania71.7
Asia Avg19.50
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
36
Pos.2017
Rank36
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
...
40Brazil40
41Iceland41
42El Salvador42
43Russia43
44Turkey44
45Mexico45
46Malaysia46
47Czechia47
Asia Avg64.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better
41
Pos.2016
%41
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
110Germany56.8
111=Vanuatu57.1
111=Serbia57.1
111=Russia57.1
114Portugal57.5
115=Peru57.5
116Albania57.7
117=Romania57.7
Asia Avg44.3
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
37
Pos.2022
Per 100037
1Hong Kong1.6
2Denmark1.8
3S. Korea2.1
...
56New Zealand11.8
57Serbia14.4
58Albania14.5
59Russia14.5
60USA15.1
61Ukraine15.2
62Sri Lanka15.4
63Turkey15.7
Asia Avg25.9
World Avg43.8
q=195.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
35
Pos.2015
Avg %35
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
31=Kazakhstan97.1
32Albania97.1
33Andorra97.1
34Russia97.0
35Guyana97.0
36Slovakia97.0
37Kyrgyzstan96.7
38Brazil96.7
Asia Avg90.5
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Russia's Responsibility Towards The Environment

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

Compared to Asia (2025)42
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank42
1Sri Lanka34.9
2Nepal47.9
3India49.5
...
30Saudi Arabia94.9
31Israel95.8
32=Laos97.0
33Russia99.2
34Myanmar (Burma)99.9
35Kuwait100.5
36Azerbaijan101.2
37Oman101.8
38Iraq102.8
Asia Avg86.44
q=51.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)42
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank42
1Sri Lanka34.9
2Uruguay43.2
3Switzerland45.0
...
146Montenegro97.3
147Sudan97.8
148Comoros99.1
149Russia99.2
150Myanmar (Burma)99.9
151Kuwait100.5
152Bahamas100.9
153Azerbaijan101.2
World Avg84.93
q=199.

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:

Russia ranks 149th in the world when it comes to its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 7 data sets. Russia does better than average in its environmental performance43, its forested percent change 2000-202044 and in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. Russia does not succeed in everything, however. Russia does worse than average in terms of the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population45 and in reducing annual meat consumption per person46. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 in its score on the Green Future Index47 (amongst the lowest in Asia) and in energy to GDP efficiency48.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020
Higher is better
44
Pos.Total44
1Guernsey82.6%
2Bahrain75.2%
3Iceland64.7%
...
74Portugal1.0%
75Micronesia0.9%
76Iraq0.9%
77Russia0.7%
78French Polynesia0.6%
79Germany0.6%
80Norway0.6%
81Cyprus0.5%
Asia Avg3.2%
World Avg-0.1%
q=234.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
43
Pos.201843
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
49Singapore64.2
50Poland64.1
51Venezuela63.9
52Russia63.8
53Brunei63.6
54Morocco63.5
55Cuba63.4
56Panama62.7
Asia Avg54.5
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Lower is better
48
Pos.2022
Avg48
1Rwanda0.25
2Chad0.26
3Tanzania0.31
...
151Syria2.12
152Kyrgyzstan2.20
153Iran2.24
154Russia2.25
155Oman2.28
156Canada2.29
157Malta2.36
158Mozambique2.38
Asia Avg1.50
World Avg1.23
q=165.
Historical data included for USSR in general in the 1960s and 1970s.
International Accords on the Environment
Higher is better
Pos.Total
Avg Rate
1Sweden83%
2Canada82%
3Norway81%
...
80Philippines62%
81Seychelles62%
82Tanzania62%
83Russia62%
84Togo61%
85Thailand61%
86Zambia61%
87Indonesia61%
Asia Avg55.4%
World Avg57.5%
q=197.
Russia was one of 8 countries who ratified the Vienna Convention on the ozone layer in 1986 and was also amongst the first batch of countries who signed the Montreal Protocol on protecting the ozone layer in 1988, whilst most others delayed both until subsequent years.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better
45
Pos.2011
%45
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
115Poland23.8%
116Belarus23.7%
117Afghanistan23.6%
118Russia23.5%
119Algeria23.5%
120Pakistan23.2%
121Liberia23.1%
122Netherlands23.0%
Asia Avg37.9%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
46
Pos.2021
kg46
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
138Germany76.6
139Greece76.8
140Serbia77.6
141Russia78.4
142Bolivia78.4
143Grenada78.6
144Ireland80.2
145Kuwait81.3
Asia Avg46.7
World Avg52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Russian Federation was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.46

Green Future Index
Higher is better
47
Pos.2023
Score47
1Iceland6.7
2Finland6.7
3Norway6.4
...
67Pakistan3.7
68Malaysia3.7
69=Guatemala3.6
69=Russia3.6
71Paraguay3.6
72Bangladesh3.5
73Qatar3.4
74Zambia3.3
Asia Avg4.3
World Avg4.8
q=76.

7. Russia's Modernity and Learning

#capitalism #charity #corruption #economics #education #english #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #intelligence #it_security #life_expectancy #maths #modernity #morals #peace #politics #religion #religiosity #religious_violence #research #russia #science #secularisation #social_development #technology #terrorism #the_internet

Compared to Asia (2020)49
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank49
1S. Korea22.2
2Japan24.7
3Israel29.5
4Hong Kong31.2
5Singapore34.1
6Russia44.3
7Cyprus55.6
8Turkey55.9
9Malaysia59.4
10Kazakhstan59.8
11=Saudi Arabia62.0
12UAE64.3
13Georgia65.6
Asia Avg78.26
q=49.
Modernity & Learning (2020)49
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank49
1Finland7.1
2Belgium12.9
3Denmark13.6
...
35Argentina38.2
36Slovakia42.9
37Grenada43.4
38Russia44.3
39Malta45.9
40Barbados47.4
41Palau47.4
42Ukraine47.7
World Avg86.31
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 Denmark50. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone50. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots51.

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)52

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 Europe50, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia50.

For more, see:

Modernity and Education:

In the 1990s, the expected duration of education in Russia fell by over half a year, whereas most of the rest of the world's increased. 53

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2954
2Israel4.1154
3Japan3.5854
...
27Portugal1.2854
28Luxembourg1.2654
29Spain1.2254
30Russia1.1954
31New Zealand1.1755
32Brazil1.1556
33Malaysia1.1356
34Turkey1.0154
Asia Avg0.75
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
57
Pos.201857
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
19Switzerland96.5%
20Moldova96.4%
21Germany96.3%
22Russia95.9%
23Croatia95.7%
24Azerbaijan95.6%
25USA95.6%
26Norway95.4%
Asia Avg66.0%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
58
Pos.2021
Years58
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
...
41Thailand15.9
42France15.8
43Palau15.8
44Russia15.8
45Kazakhstan15.8
46UAE15.7
47Barbados15.7
48Cyprus15.6
Asia Avg13.5
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
36
Pos.2017
Rank36
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
50Fiji50
51Dominica51
52Malaysia52
53Russia53
54St Lucia54
55Turkey55
56Armenia56
57Guinea-Bissau57
Asia Avg97.1
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading
Higher is better
59
Pos.2015
Score59
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
...
25=France1487
25=Sweden1487
27Austria1477
28Russia1476
29Spain1475
30Czechia1472
31USA1463
32Latvia1460
Asia Avg1398
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity
Lower is better
60
Pos.2018
%60
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
16Albania15
17=Lithuania16
17=S. Korea16
17=Russia16
20Australia18
21=Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
23=Norway19
Asia Avg55.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ
Higher is better61
Pos.200661
1=Hong Kong108
1=Singapore108
3S. Korea106
...
30=Latvia98
30=Hungary98
32Ukraine97
33=Russia97
33=Belarus97
35Moldova96
36=Uruguay96
36=Slovenia96
Asia Avg90.4
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
62
Pos.201662
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
52Brunei72%
53Slovenia72%
54Cyprus72%
55Russia71%
56Oman71%
57New Caledonia70%
58=Macedonia69%
58=Argentina69%
Asia Avg48.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
Freedom On The Internet
Lower is better
63
Pos.201263
1Estonia10
2USA12
3Germany15
...
27Venezuela48
28Azerbaijan50
29Rwanda51
30Russia52
31Zimbabwe54
32Sri Lanka55
33Kazakhstan58
34Egypt59
Asia Avg56.6
World Avg46.7
q=47.
IT Security
Lower is better
64
Pos.201364
1=Ireland0.11
1=Luxembourg0.11
1=Belize0.11
...
74Sri Lanka1.67
75Oman1.72
76Iraq1.84
77Bangladesh1.87
78Sudan1.98
79India2.10
80Russia2.42
81USA3.68
Asia Avg1.08
World Avg0.98
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
65
Pos.2017
Ratio65
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
...
44Italy1.7
45Argentina1.4
46Faroe Islands1.4
47Russia1.3
48Bulgaria1.3
49S. Korea1.2
50Dominican Rep.1.1
51Slovakia0.8
Asia Avg2.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.
Digital Quality of Life
Higher is better
66
Pos.202466
1Germany77.9%
2Finland76.9%
3France73.9%
...
47Ukraine54.4%
48Serbia53.5%
49Turkey52.2%
50Russia52.1%
51Thailand51.4%
52Bahrain51.1%
53Brazil50.9%
54Peru49.9%
Asia Avg46.4%
World Avg48.4%
q=121.

National Culture:

World Giving Index
Higher is better
67
Pos.2022
%67
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
22=Serbia46.0
22=Netherlands46.0
22=Jamaica46.0
22=Russia46.0
22=Iceland46.0
22=Honduras46.0
22=Mongolia46.0
22=Denmark46.0
Asia Avg37.9
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
68
Pos.2022
Points68
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
...
135Papua New Guinea30.0
136Gabon29.0
137=Paraguay28.0
137=Russia28.0
137=Mali28.0
140Pakistan27.0
141=Kyrgyzstan27.0
142Liberia26.0
Asia Avg39.98
World Avg42.98
q=180.

In 1997, Russia began to be included in the Corruption Perception Index data, and entered at the 4th-worst in the world.

Happiness
Higher is better
69
Pos.2024
Score69
1Finland7.7
2Denmark7.5
3Iceland7.5
...
63Honduras6.0
64Malaysia6.0
65Peru5.9
66Russia5.9
67Cyprus5.9
68China5.9
69Hungary5.9
70Trinidad & Tobago5.9
Asia Avg5.41
World Avg5.58
q=147.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
36
Pos.2017
Rank36
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
98Bolivia98
99El Salvador99
100Nicaragua100
101Russia101
102Vietnam102
103Armenia103
104Ghana104
105Bahrain105
Asia Avg99.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
36
Pos.2017
Rank36
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
...
113China113
114S. Africa114
115Cape Verde115
116Russia116
117Angola117
118Guyana118
119Colombia119
120Congo, (Brazzaville)120
Asia Avg86.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.

Peace Versus Instability:

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
70
Pos.2023
Score70
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
155Sudan3.02
156Somalia3.04
157Ukraine3.04
158Russia3.14
159Congo, DR3.21
160S. Sudan3.22
161Syria3.29
162Yemen3.35
Asia Avg2.17
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
36
Pos.2017
Rank36
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
79Georgia79
80Albania80
81Gabon81
82Russia82
83Iran83
84Serbia84
85Mexico85
86Cambodia86
Asia Avg76.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
36
Pos.2017
Rank36
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
...
94Qatar94
95Peru95
96Gabon96
97Russia97
98Papua New Guinea98
99Mexico99
100Senegal100
101Georgia101
Asia Avg92.2
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
71
Pos.2019
Score71
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
111Israel4.53
112Iran4.72
113Chad4.76
114Russia4.90
115France5.01
116Indonesia5.07
117Nepal5.09
118Burundi5.10
Asia Avg3.60
World Avg2.78
q=150.

Economic Inequality and Poverty:

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better72
Pos.201972
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
...
55Bahamas6.80
56Sri Lanka7.00
57=Costa Rica7.10
57=Russia7.10
59Albania7.20
60=Lebanon7.40
60=Ukraine7.40
62Brunei7.60
Asia Avg11.80
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better
73
Pos.2023
%73
1Slovakia24.1%74
2Slovenia24.3%74
3Belarus24.4%75
...
81=Italy34.8%74
82Thailand34.9%74
83Ethiopia35.0%76
84=Russia35.1%74
84=Nigeria35.1%77
84=Qatar35.1%78
87Liberia35.3%79
88=Ivory Coast35.3%74
Asia Avg33.0%
World Avg36.5%
q=167.

8. Religion and Beliefs

#afterlife #belief #buddhism #christianity #god #heaven #hell #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religion_in_russia #religiosity #russia #secularisation #ukraine #universalism

Religiosity (2018)60
Pos.Lower is better
%60
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
16Albania15
17=Lithuania16
17=S. Korea16
17=Russia16
20Australia18
21=Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
23=Norway19
24Netherlands20
25=Italy21
25=Belarus21
27Ireland22
28=Kazakhstan22
28=Spain22
30Slovakia23
31=Ukraine23
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)80
Pos.Higher is better
%80
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
...
16Norway31
17S. Korea30
18Finland28
19Russia27
20Australia25
21Taiwan24
22=New Zealand22
22=Canada22
24Latvia20
25=Ukraine20
25=Mongolia20
27Austria18
28=Slovakia17
28=Switzerland17
28=Belarus17
31Greece16
World Avg9.9
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 below81:

Christian73.3%
Muslim10%
Hindu0.1%
Buddhist0.1%
Folk Religion0.2%
Jewish0.2%
Unaffiliated16.2%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 83.5% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (27%). 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 83.9% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 16% 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:

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2% (2006 est.). note: estimates are of practicing worshipers; Russia has large populations of non-practicing believers and non-believers, a legacy of over seven decades of Soviet rule82.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Russia83. Despite the large numbers of Christians, not many have traditional beliefs in the afterlife - just 12%. More people don't know what to believe (36%). Some believe that upon death, you simply cease to exist (12%). Also, 2% specifically believe in heaven but not in hell (which is nice - making them possible "universalists"). 5% believe in reincarnation.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: Freedom of religion and belief is protected in law and in the constitution, however, Article 282 of the Criminal Code bans "Inciting religious hatred" which is sometimes over-used, or misused for political purposes84. The Russian Orthodox Church has run long-term and officially supported campaigns to restrict other religious groups85,31, especially since the religious liberalisation of Russia in 199085: "Since July 2016, when the “Yarovaya Law” entered into force, authorities fined over 100 religious activists, mainly evangelist Christians" for various minor oversights and The Jehovah's Witnesses were outlawed in 201730. The Russian Orthodox Church in conjunction with the State have been blocking the UN Human Rights Council and also putting obstacles in the way of Human Rights elsewhere31. They were the only mainstream religious body to condone Russia's invasion of Ukraine, much to the horror of other Christians and followers around the world86.

Links:

8.1. The Russian Orthodox Church as an Organ of the State87

#christianity #religion_and_politics #Russia #secularisation #ukraine

Post-Communist Russia dropped its rugged opposition to organized religion, and allowed religious groups to operate again. The result was a revival of interest in religion88,89, causing a statistical tick in a world that is otherwise generally undergoing a process of secularisation (loss of religion). The Russian state pushes Orthodox Christianity, which has proven itself useful as "a tool for reconstructing political and geopolitical identity in a post-Soviet era"90. Without the ideology of the USSR to hold people together, Russia finds that Orthodox Christianity is a rather similar tool, so much so, that all of its traditional battles against human rights, conducted in the name of communism, are now handily conducted in the name of Christian identity, as are other political aims.

Agadjanian (2006) underscores that 'religion was revived from Soviet oblivion, by both religious and secular camps, as a grand narrative believed to be full of strong symbolic content available for collective identity quests' [and] the same was true in other Eastern Orthodox countries Borowik (2006) underscores that 'in all the Eastern European cases, religion has probably become more important because it offers a tool for reconstructing political and geopolitical identity in a post-Soviet era.

"The Meaning and Scope of Secularization" by Karel Dobbelaere (2011)90

Christian leaders around the world despaired in horror when in 2022 the Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox church, backed by his high-ranking Christian clergy, preached that the war against Ukraine was a righteous war being fought by that good man Putin for the future of Christianity in Ukraine, repeating official Russian excuses for the invasion.91.

See:

9. Russian Disinformation Warfare and Internet Trolling

#democracy_challenges #disinformation #Elon_Musk #facebook #information_warfare #russia #tiktok #twitter

Information warfare is an explicit part of Russian doctrine, deemed suitable for peace-time92,93. Aside from direct and easily recognizable propaganda found in Russia Today and Sputnik93, the internet has seen 'web brigades' of Russian-paid actors trawling for content on selected topics, who then make destructive, abusive, aggressive, untrue and confusing comments, for the purpose of spreading doubt and disrupting conversations. This occurs on news sites' comments sections and on social media, in particular, on poorly-moderated platforms such as TikTok, Twitter and Facebook. Twitter in particular has become a swamp of such lies and misinformation since Elon Musk dismissed its content moderation teams. They often spread popularist and divisive content and as such, tend to be reposted by far-right activists; Donald Trump himself sometimes shares misinformation invented by Russian troll accounts.

The actors are often paid per comment, and specifically, for the amount of replies they generate, which means they often say things that are untrue and contentious; the quantity of replies boost the trolls' comments to the top of the list below the article. Because it is paid, those who participate are from around the world, not just from inside Russia. One of the first well-known troll farms was the "Internet Research Agency" owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who also ran the mercenary Wagner Group for Russia. Another is Operation Doppleganger which saw two companies, Structura National Technology and Social Design Agency, produce a range of slick websites that mimicked other news sites, but with fake news94. Operation Overload seeks to overwhelm news and fact-checkers with false material95,96. There is almost no counter to these trolls; they successfully disrupt conversations especially when several of them act together against a particular outlet, and, concerted campaigns can, and have, increase instability in Western countries97 and influenced elections93,98.

For more, see:

10. Russia Against Europe

#estonia #EU #europe #france #georgia #germany #politics #russia #UK #ukraine

NATO has been warning for some time that Russia has been conducting long-term information warfare operations in Europe99,93, on a scale and sophistication that dwarves anything that NATO or Europe is doing in response100. "Senior Russian political figures have long cultivated relationships with nationalist and often anti-EU parties in Europe"101 (e.g. in the UK, France, Germany)93. They also fund and encourage mainstream parties (such as the UK's Conservatives102), if they are doing enough damage to the EU.97. On top of this, cyber-attacks and military operations have been used to subdue and intimidate several Baltic and Eastern-European countries (Estonia, Ukraine, Georgia)97,103,104.

For more, see: