Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index

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

By Vexen Crabtree 2025

#human_development #politics #social_development

--- The Best ---₁
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁
1	Denmark	25.2
2	Norway	28.2
3	Netherlands	30.1
4	Switzerland	30.1
5	Sweden	30.3
6	Finland	32.1
7	Austria	36.4
8	Belgium	36.9
9	Germany	37.1
10	Japan	37.2
q=199.

--- The Worst ---₁
Pos.		Higher is worse Avg Rank₁
199	Somalia	157.8
198	Western Sahara	151.9
197	S. Sudan	150.7
196	Eritrea	146.9
195	Afghanistan	139.5
194	Angola	138.3
193	Sudan	133.8
192	Equatorial Guinea	133.6
191	Yemen	128.3
190	Congo, DR	128.1
q=199.

Which countries set the best examples to the rest of the world? Which ones would we do best to copy, to emulate and to admire for their foresight, hard work and long-term conscience? Which countries would have humanity survive gleaming into a clean, happy, bright future?

And who are tardy on humanitarian issues, science or development? Which nations and cultures cling to barbarian ethics on gender and sexual equality? Who is holding us back?

The Social and Moral Development Index is a compilation of relevant statistics on a wide range of issues which are put into a database-driven formula which calculates points per country. The country's overall score is an average of all the datasets that a country appears in. So, countries don't get penalized for lack of data about them.

The result is a shortlist of countries that beat all the others. Be the best!

1. The Criteria: Human Rights & Tolerance

Constituent Data Sets: Human Rights & Tolerance
Human Rights & Tolerance		Overall Results: Best: Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark Regions: Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₂ Worst: Somalia, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia Regions: The Middle East, Africa and Asia₂
1. Press Freedom		Best: Norway, Estonia, Netherlands Worst: Eritrea, N. Korea, China 2010s: Norway, Finland, Netherlands, N. Korea, Eritrea, Turkmenistan 2000s: Finland, Norway, Iceland, N. Korea, Eritrea, Turkmenistan
2. Slavery in the 2020s		Best: Norway, Switzerland, 4-country draw Worst: N. Korea, Eritrea, Mauritania 2020s (so far): Norway, Switzerland, 4-country draw, N. Korea, Eritrea, Mauritania 2010s: Japan, Canada, Taiwan, N. Korea, Eritrea, Burundi
3. Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom		Best: Hong Kong, Switzerland, New Zealand Worst: Libya, Yemen, Iran
4. Freedom in the World		Best: 41-country draw Worst: 14-country draw 2010s: 38-country draw, 5-country draw 2000s: 27-country draw, 5-country draw 1990s: 20-country draw, 9-country draw 1980s: 17-country draw, 7-country draw 1970s: 14-country draw, 6-country draw
5. Human Rights Watch Comments		Best: France, Germany, UK Worst: 10-country draw
6. Nominal Commitment to HR		Best: Argentina, 12-country draw Worst: Kiribati, Bhutan, 4-country draw
7. HR Treaties Lag		Best: Ecuador, Uruguay, Tunisia Worst: Palestine, Marshall Islands, Palau
Constituent Data Sets: Gender Equality
8. Gender Inequality		Best: Denmark, Norway, Switzerland Worst: Yemen, Papua New Guinea, Nigeria 2010s: Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Yemen, Chad, Afghanistan 2000s: Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Niger 1990s: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Yemen, Pakistan, UAE
9. Gender Biases		Best: Sweden, New Zealand, Australia Worst: Tajikistan, Qatar, Pakistan
10. Year Women Can Vote		Best: New Zealand, Australia, Finland Worst: Saudi Arabia, Vatican City, Kuwait
Constituent Data Sets: Prejudice
11. Anti-Semite Opinions		Best: Laos, Philippines, Sweden Worst: Iraq, Yemen, 2-country draw
12. LGBT Equality in the 2020s		Best: Germany, Spain, Portugal Worst: Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Eritrea 2020s (so far): Germany, Spain, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Eritrea 2010s: S. Africa, Brazil, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, 4-country draw 2000s: Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan 1990s: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Sudan 1980s: Denmark, 9-country draw, Iran, Saudi Arabia, 4-country draw 1970s: 4-country draw, Saudi Arabia, 3-country draw
13. Freedom of Thought		Best: Belgium, Netherlands, Taiwan Worst: 4-country draw
> > > Details and Commentary on these data sets

2. The Criteria: Health

Constituent Data Sets: Health
Health		Overall Results: Best: Monaco, Liechtenstein, San Marino Regions: Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₃ Worst: Angola, Somalia, S. Sudan Regions: Micronesia, Africa and Melanesia₃
1. Life Expectancy		Best: Monaco, Hong Kong, Japan Worst: Chad, Nigeria, Lesotho 2010s: Monaco, Hong Kong, Japan, Lesotho, Chad, Nigeria 2000s: Monaco, Andorra, Japan, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe 1990s: Andorra, Japan, San Marino, S. Sudan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone
2. Alcohol Consumption		Best: 5-country draw Worst: Moldova, Lithuania, Czechia
3. Fertility Rate		Best: Hong Kong, S. Korea, Puerto Rico Worst: Niger, Chad, Somalia 2010s: British Virgin Islands, S. Korea, Hong Kong, Niger, Somalia, Chad 2000s: Hong Kong, S. Korea, Andorra, Niger, Somalia, Chad 1990s: Spain, Hong Kong, Italy, S. Sudan, Niger, Afghanistan 1980s: Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Yemen, Niger, Rwanda 1970s: Germany, Luxembourg, Finland, Yemen, Rwanda, Libya 1960s: Latvia, Hungary, Estonia, Marshall Islands, Rwanda, Yemen
4. Smoking in the 2020s		Best: Nigeria, Ghana, Panama Worst: Nauru, Myanmar, Kiribati 2020s (so far): Nigeria, Ghana, Panama, Nauru, Myanmar, Kiribati 2010s: Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Nauru, Myanmar, Kiribati 2000s: Ethiopia, Ghana, Sao Tome & Principe, Kiribati, Myanmar, Nauru
5. Suicide Rate		Best: Grenada, Haiti, Egypt Worst: Lithuania, Russia, S. Korea
6. Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance		Best: Sweden, Ireland, Denmark Worst: Angola, St Vincent & Grenadines, Mauritania
7. Overweight Adults		Best: Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nepal Worst: Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands
8. Adult Obesity		Best: Vietnam, Timor-Leste (E. Timor), Ethiopia Worst: American Samoa, Tonga, Nauru 2010s: Vietnam, Timor-Leste (E. Timor), Ethiopia, American Samoa, Nauru, Tokelau 2000s: Vietnam, Timor-Leste (E. Timor), Ethiopia, American Samoa, Nauru, Tokelau 1990s: Vietnam, Timor-Leste (E. Timor), Ethiopia, Nauru, American Samoa, Tokelau
Constituent Data Sets: Children's Health
9. Adolescent Birth Rate		Best: Hong Kong, Denmark, S. Korea Worst: Niger, Mozambique, Central African Rep. 2010s: N. Korea, S. Korea, Switzerland, Niger, Mozambique, Mali 2000s: N. Korea, S. Korea, Hong Kong, Niger, Chad, Mali 1990s: S. Korea, Japan, N. Korea, Chad, Niger, Angola
10. Infant Immunizations 2011-2015		Best: China, Hungary, Uzbekistan Worst: Equatorial Guinea, S. Sudan, Somalia
11. Infant Mortality		Best: San Marino, Finland, Luxembourg Worst: S. Sudan, Somalia, Central African Rep. 2020s (so far): San Marino, Finland, Luxembourg, S. Sudan, Somalia, Central African Rep. 2010s: Singapore, Iceland, Sweden, Sierra Leone, Central African Rep., Niger 2000s: Sweden, Iceland, Singapore, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia 1990s: Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Niger, Liberia, Sierra Leone 1980s: Finland, Sweden, Japan, Niger, Sierra Leone, Mali 1970s: Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Cambodia, Mali, Niger 1960s: Sweden, Netherlands, Iceland, Mali, Yemen, Sierra Leone
> > > Details and Commentary on these data sets

3. The Criteria: The Environment

Constituent Data Sets: The Environment
The Environment		Overall Results: Best: Sri Lanka, Uruguay, Switzerland Regions: Central America, South America and Scandinavia Worst: Eritrea, Vatican City, Timor-Leste (E. Timor) Regions: Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia
1. Forest Area Change 2000-2020		Best: Guernsey, Bahrain, Iceland Worst: Ivory Coast, Nicaragua, Gambia 2010s: Burundi, Bahrain, Malta, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Cambodia 2000s: Guernsey, Iceland, Bahrain, Nicaragua, Ivory Coast, Gambia
2. Environmental Performance		Best: Switzerland, France, Denmark Worst: Burundi, Bangladesh, Congo, DR
3. Energy to GDP Efficiency		Best: Rwanda, Chad, Tanzania Worst: Turkmenistan, Trinidad & Tobago, Bahrain 2010s: Chad, Rwanda, Burundi, Trinidad & Tobago, Iceland, Bahrain 2000s: Chad, Burundi, Rwanda, Bahrain, N. Korea, Trinidad & Tobago 1990s: Chad, Palestine, Mali, Bahrain, Qatar, Mongolia 1980s: Cambodia, Burundi, Nepal, Bahrain, Mongolia, Qatar 1970s: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Ecuador, Czechia, Luxembourg, Romania 1960s: Oman, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Singapore, Luxembourg, Norway
4. International Accords on the Environment		Best: Sweden, Canada, Norway Worst: Vatican City, Palestine, Andorra 2020s (so far): 143-country draw, Vatican City, USA, S. Sudan 2010s: Samoa, Mauritius, Belize, Vatican City, S. Sudan, Palestine 2000s: Panama, Netherlands, Czechia, Palestine, Vatican City, Iraq 1990s: El Salvador, Panama, Norway, 4-country draw 1980s: USA, Canada, Norway, 68-country draw 1970s: Canada, Mauritius, Nepal, 130-country draw
5. Rational Beliefs on the Environment		Best: Argentina, Greece, Brazil Worst: Turkmenistan, Albania, Haiti
6. Meat Consumption		Best: Congo, DR, Burundi, Bangladesh Worst: Hong Kong, USA, Nauru 2010s: Burundi, Congo, DR, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Australia, USA
7. Green Future Index		Best: Iceland, Finland, Norway Worst: Iran, Algeria, Zambia
> > > Details and Commentary on these data sets

4. The Criteria: Modernity

Constituent Data Sets: Modernity
Modernity		Overall Results: Best: Vatican City, Finland, Belgium Regions: Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₄ Worst: S. Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia Regions: Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₄
1. Research and Development		Best: S. Korea, Israel, Japan Worst: Lesotho, 3-country draw
2. Intellectual Endeavours		Best: Ukraine, Czechia, Hungary Worst: Angola, Iraq, Bolivia
3. Metric System Adoption Rate		Best: 26-country draw Worst: USA, Liberia, 3-country draw 2020s (so far): 26-country draw, USA, Liberia, 3-country draw 2010s: 26-country draw, USA, Myanmar, Liberia 2000s: 26-country draw, Myanmar, USA, Liberia 1990s: 26-country draw, Myanmar, USA, 2-country draw 1980s: 25-country draw, USA, Liberia, Myanmar 1970s: 25-country draw, Liberia, Myanmar, USA 1960s: 24-country draw, Myanmar, Liberia, USA
4. Religiosity		Best: China, Estonia, Czechia Worst: Ethiopia, Senegal, 2-country draw
5. IQ		Best: Singapore, Hong Kong, S. Korea Worst: 6-country draw
Constituent Data Sets: Education
6. Secondary Education		Best: 6-country draw Worst: Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso
7. Length of Schooling		Best: Australia, New Zealand, Greece Worst: S. Sudan, Niger, Mali 2010s: Australia, Belgium, Iceland, S. Sudan, Niger, Djibouti 2000s: Australia, Belgium, Iceland, Niger, Djibouti, Burkina Faso 1990s: Australia, Canada, Belgium, Niger, Djibouti, Ethiopia
8. Maths, Science & Reading		Best: Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan Worst: Dominican Rep., Algeria, Kosovo
Constituent Data Sets: Technology and Information
9. Internet Users		Best: Iceland, Faroe Islands, Norway Worst: Eritrea, Timor-Leste (E. Timor), Burundi
10. Freedom On The Internet		Best: Estonia, USA, Germany Worst: Iran, Cuba, China
11. IT Security		Best: Belize, Ireland, Luxembourg Worst: USA, Russia, India
12. IPv6 Uptake		Best: Belgium, Germany, Switzerland Worst: 59-country draw
13. Digital Quality of Life		Best: Germany, Finland, France Worst: Yemen, Congo, DR, Mozambique
> > > Details and Commentary on these data sets

5. The Criteria: National Culture

Constituent Data Sets: National Culture
National Culture		Overall Results: Best: Regions: Worst: Regions:
1. World Giving Index		Best: Indonesia, Kenya, USA Worst: Cambodia, Japan, 2-country draw 2010s: Myanmar, USA, New Zealand, China, Greece, Yemen
2. Corruption		Best: Denmark, Finland, New Zealand Worst: Somalia, S. Sudan, Syria 2010s: Denmark, New Zealand, Finland, Somalia, N. Korea, Afghanistan 2000s: Finland, Denmark, New Zealand, Somalia, Myanmar, Bangladesh 1990s: Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Honduras, Paraguay
3. Happiness		Best: Finland, Denmark, Iceland Worst: Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Lebanon 2010s: Denmark, Finland, Norway, S. Sudan, Central African Rep., Burundi
4. Creativity and Culture		Best: Belgium, Netherlands, Estonia Worst: Libya, Congo, DR, Rwanda
5. Passport Reach		Best: Singapore, Japan, S. Korea Worst: Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq 2020s (so far): Singapore, Japan, S. Korea, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq 2010s: Germany, Sweden, Finland, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia 2000s: Denmark, Finland, 2-country draw, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran
6. Open Trading, Aid and Development		Best: Ireland, Denmark, Sweden Worst: Equatorial Guinea, Brazil, Papua New Guinea
Constituent Data Sets: Peace Versus Instability
7. Global Peace Index		Best: Iceland, Denmark, Ireland Worst: Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria 2010s: Iceland, Denmark, Austria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia
8. Peacekeeping and Security		Best: Samoa, S. Africa, Tunisia Worst: Guinea-Bissau, Marshall Islands, Tonga
9. Refugees and UN Treaties		Best: Austria, Germany, Netherlands Worst: Brunei, Tonga, Fiji
10. Impact of Terrorism		Best: 13-country draw Worst: Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria
Constituent Data Sets: Economic Inequality and Poverty
11. Poverty		Best: Malaysia, Bhutan, Cyprus Worst: Congo, DR, Mozambique, Burundi 2020s (so far): Malaysia, Bhutan, Cyprus, Congo, DR, Mozambique, Burundi 2010s: Slovenia, Switzerland, Czechia, Congo, DR, Mozambique, S. Sudan 2000s: Luxembourg, Cyprus, Czechia, Congo, DR, Mozambique, Niger 1990s: Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Mali, Swaziland, Niger 1980s: UK, Taiwan, Norway, China, Indonesia, Nepal
12. Inequality in Life Expectancy		Informational only
13. Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)		2010s: Slovenia, Ukraine, Slovakia, S. Africa, Haiti, Namibia 2000s: Slovenia, Denmark, Czechia, Botswana, Namibia, S. Africa 1990s: Finland, Slovakia, Denmark, Namibia, Malawi, Lesotho 1980s: Finland, Croatia, Hungary, Brazil, Panama, Guatemala
14. Multidimensional Poverty		Best: Armenia, Ukraine, Serbia Worst: Niger, S. Sudan, Chad
> > > Details and Commentary on these data sets

6. Results: All Countries From Best to Worst

#human_development

--- The Best ---₁
Pos.		Avg Rank₁
1	Denmark	25.2
2	Norway	28.2
3	Netherlands	30.1
4	Switzerland	30.1
5	Sweden	30.3
6	Finland	32.1
7	Austria	36.4
8	Belgium	36.9
9	Germany	37.1
10	Japan	37.2
11	Iceland	37.3
12	Luxembourg	37.6
13	France	38.4
14	New Zealand	39.4
15	Liechtenstein	40.8
16	Australia	41.0
17	Canada	41.6
18	Monaco	42.3
19	Italy	42.8
20	Ireland	43.0
21	Spain	43.1
22	Slovenia	43.3
23	Portugal	46.2
24	UK	48.1
25	S. Korea	48.1
26	Czechia	49.2
27	Taiwan	50.0
28	Uruguay	52.1
29	Poland	53.9
30	Estonia	54.2
31	Cyprus	54.5
32	Hungary	54.6
33	Costa Rica	55.1
34	Malta	55.1
35	Slovakia	55.5
36	San Marino	55.5
37	Greece	56.8
38	Singapore	57.4
39	Croatia	61.3
40	Lithuania	61.7
41	Latvia	61.7
42	Chile	62.0
43	Israel	63.7
44	Argentina	65.6
45	Mauritius	66.0
46	USA	66.6
47	Bulgaria	67.4
48	Andorra	67.8
49	Montenegro	67.9
50	Brazil	68.1
51	Romania	69.0
52	Thailand	70.4
53	Serbia	72.8
54	Malaysia	74.6
55	Sri Lanka	75.3
56	Mexico	75.9
57	Macedonia	76.1
58	Peru	76.2
59	Ukraine	76.8
60	Barbados	77.4
61	Moldova	77.5
62	Albania	77.8
63	Ecuador	78.0
64	Panama	78.7
65	Bosnia & Herzegovina	78.8
66	Northern Cyprus	79.1
67	Colombia	79.2
q=199.

--- The Average ---₁
Pos.		Avg Rank₁
68	Cuba	79.3
69	Vietnam	79.5
70	Tunisia	79.8
71	Trinidad & Tobago	79.9
72	China	80.9
73	Philippines	81.0
74	El Salvador	81.0
75	Seychelles	81.4
76	Georgia	81.4
77	Turkey	82.4
78	Kosovo	82.4
79	Dominican Rep.	83.5
80	Jamaica	83.7
81	Cape Verde	84.4
82	Russia	84.7
83	Bolivia	85.9
84	Morocco	86.0
85	Vatican City	86.3
86	Kazakhstan	86.7
87	UAE	86.7
88	Dominica	86.9
89	Armenia	87.0
90	Guatemala	87.1
91	S. Africa	87.5
92	Belarus	87.8
93	Indonesia	87.8
94	India	88.8
95	Bahamas	89.1
96	Kuwait	89.6
97	Paraguay	89.9
98	Fiji	90.6
99	Suriname	90.9
100	Antigua & Barbuda	91.0
101	St Vincent & Grenadines	91.1
102	Grenada	91.8
103	Mongolia	92.0
104	Qatar	92.6
105	Venezuela	92.6
106	St Lucia	92.9
107	Kyrgyzstan	93.6
108	Honduras	93.7
109	Ghana	94.0
110	Jordan	94.7
111	St Kitts & Nevis	94.9
112	Nicaragua	95.0
113	Bahrain	95.5
114	Nepal	96.0
115	Lebanon	96.0
116	Maldives	96.8
117	Azerbaijan	96.9
118	Botswana	97.3
119	Guyana	97.3
120	Brunei	97.8
121	Uzbekistan	98.1
122	Algeria	98.2
123	Palau	98.4
124	Belize	99.2
125	Tonga	99.7
126	Vanuatu	99.8
127	Oman	100.3
128	Senegal	101.1
129	Egypt	102.2
130	Kenya	102.8
131	Bhutan	103.0
132	Namibia	103.4
133	Iran	104.4
134	Lesotho	105.2
q=199.

--- The Challenged ---₁
Pos.		Avg Rank₁
135	Tajikistan	105.4
136	Gabon	105.8
137	Bangladesh	106.7
138	Rwanda	106.9
139	N. Korea	107.0
140	Samoa	107.5
141	Burkina Faso	107.6
142	Micronesia	107.7
143	Madagascar	107.7
144	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	107.7
145	Uganda	109.2
146	Turkmenistan	109.2
147	Tanzania	109.7
148	Cambodia	109.9
149	Sao Tome & Principe	109.9
150	Saudi Arabia	110.4
151	Togo	110.7
152	Benin	111.6
153	Somaliland	112.4
154	Mali	112.5
155	Djibouti	112.5
156	Ivory Coast	112.9
157	Tuvalu	113.1
158	Kiribati	113.3
159	Gambia	113.7
160	Congo, (Brazzaville)	113.7
161	Nigeria	113.8
162	Swaziland	113.9
163	Haiti	114.9
164	Zambia	115.0
165	Pakistan	115.5
166	Libya	115.8
167	Cameroon	116.0
168	Laos	117.2
169	Ethiopia	117.2
170	Malawi	117.5
171	Niger	117.8
172	Sierra Leone	117.8
173	Syria	118.6
174	Burundi	118.9
175	Guinea-Bissau	118.9
176	Solomon Islands	119.8
177	Guinea	119.9
178	Papua New Guinea	120.9
179	Zimbabwe	121.7
180	Comoros	122.0
181	Nauru	122.1
182	Mozambique	122.2
183	Iraq	122.6
184	Mauritania	123.2
185	Marshall Islands	123.3
186	Central African Rep.	123.5
187	Liberia	124.1
188	Myanmar	124.9
189	Chad	126.6
190	Congo, DR	128.1
191	Yemen	128.3
192	Equatorial Guinea	133.6
193	Sudan	133.8
194	Angola	138.3
195	Afghanistan	139.5
196	Eritrea	146.9
197	S. Sudan	150.7
198	Western Sahara	151.9
199	Somalia	157.8
q=199.

7. Methodology

The Social and Moral Development Index combines a large number of data sets - over 60 - into a single formula. It's not a simplistic ranking system - for most data sets, each country is given points according to where it sits on the scale ranging from the best country, to the worst country, on a scalar (and not linear) basis. The worst country in any given data set gets 0 points, and the best gets 100 points, and everyone else gets a portion of those points according to how close to the top they sit. It pays to be as good as possible. The points are not summed to form a total, because this would unfairly give advantages to countries that appear in most data sets - most data are not fully comprehensive. Each country gains a final score which is an average of its points from all datasets.

When it comes to presenting the results, charts show the best 5 countries marked with a green number, and the worst 5 marked with a red one. If there is a tie, then, the markers extend for as long as the tie continues. Sometimes the actual points are calculated to many significant figures, but, the results are only shown for 3 s.f. and in these cases, it might look like the flags do not extend enough. To view the data in more detail hover over any row to view the precise points awarded.