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!
| Overall Results across all decades:
Best: Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark
Regions: Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe2
Worst: Somalia, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia
Regions: The Middle East, Africa and Asia2 |
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| Constituent Data Sets: Human Rights & Tolerance |
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| 1. Press Freedom | 2025 Best: Norway, Estonia, Netherlands
2025 Worst: Eritrea, N. Korea, China2010s: Norway, Finland, Netherlands, N. Korea, Eritrea, Turkmenistan 2000s: Finland, Norway, Iceland, N. Korea, Eritrea, Turkmenistan |
| 2. Slavery | Best: Norway, Switzerland, 4-country draw
Worst: N. Korea, Eritrea, Mauritania2020s (so far): Norway, Switzerland, 4-country draw, N. Korea, Eritrea, Mauritania 2010s: Japan, Canada, Taiwan, N. Korea, Eritrea, Burundi |
| 3. Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom | 2014 Best: Hong Kong, Switzerland, New Zealand
2014 Worst: Libya, Yemen, Iran |
| 4. Freedom in the World | 2024 Best: 41-country draw
2024 Worst: 14-country draw2010s: 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 | 2017 Best: France, Germany, UK
2017 Worst: 10-country draw |
| 6. Nominal Commitment to HR | 2009 Best: Argentina, 12-country draw
2009 Worst: Kiribati, Bhutan, 4-country draw |
| 7. HR Treaties Lag | 2019 Best: Ecuador, Uruguay, Tunisia
2019 Worst: Palestine, Marshall Islands, Palau |
| Constituent Data Sets: Gender Equality |
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| 8. Gender Inequality | 2022 Best: Denmark, Norway, Switzerland
2022 Worst: Yemen, Papua New Guinea, Nigeria2010s: Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Yemen, Chad, Afghanistan 2000s: Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Niger 1990s: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Yemen, Pakistan, UAE |
| 9. Gender Biases | 2022 Best: Sweden, New Zealand, Australia
2022 Worst: Tajikistan, Qatar, Pakistan |
| 10. Year Women Can Vote | Best: New Zealand, Australia, Finland
Worst: Saudi Arabia, Vatican City, Kuwait |
| Constituent Data Sets: Prejudice |
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| 11. Anti-Semite Opinions | 2014 Best: Laos, Philippines, Sweden
2014 Worst: Iraq, Yemen, 2-country draw |
| 12. LGBT Equality | Best: Germany, Spain, Portugal
Worst: Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Eritrea2020s (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 | 2021 Best: Belgium, Netherlands, Taiwan
2021 Worst: 4-country draw |
| > > > Details and Commentary on these data sets |
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| Overall Results across all decades:
Best: Monaco, Liechtenstein, Japan
Regions: Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean3
Worst: Angola, Somalia, S. Sudan
Regions: Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia3 |
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| Constituent Data Sets: Health |
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| 1. Life Expectancy | 2021 Best: Monaco, Hong Kong, Japan
2021 Worst: Chad, Nigeria, Lesotho2010s: 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 | 2016 Best: 5-country draw
2016 Worst: Moldova, Lithuania, Czechia |
| 3. Fertility Rate | 2022 Best: Hong Kong, S. Korea, Puerto Rico
2022 Worst: Niger, Chad, Somalia2010s: 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 | Best: Nigeria, Ghana, Panama
Worst: Nauru, Myanmar, Kiribati2020s (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 | 2013 Best: Grenada, Haiti, Egypt
2013 Worst: Lithuania, Russia, S. Korea |
| 6. Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance | 2017 Best: Sweden, Ireland, Denmark
2017 Worst: Angola, St Vincent & Grenadines, Mauritania |
| 7. Overweight Adults | 1976 Best: Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nepal
1976 Worst: Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands |
| 8. Adult Obesity | 2022 Best: Vietnam, Timor-Leste (E. Timor), Ethiopia
2022 Worst: American Samoa, Tonga, Nauru2010s: 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 |
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| 9. Adolescent Birth Rate | 2022 Best: Hong Kong, Denmark, S. Korea
2022 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 DTP Immunizations | Best: 11-country draw
Worst: Sint Eustatius, Papua New Guinea, Central African Rep.2020s (so far): 11-country draw, Sint Eustatius, Papua New Guinea, Central African Rep. 2010s: 12-country draw, Central African Rep., Chad, Somalia 2000s: Hungary, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Chad, S. Sudan, Somalia 1990s: Tokelau, Montserrat, 4-country draw, Chad, Niger, Afghanistan 1980s: 4-country draw, Niger, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh |
| 11. 7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) | 2015 Best: China, Hungary, Uzbekistan
2015 Worst: Equatorial Guinea, S. Sudan, Somalia |
| 12. 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 |
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| Overall Results across all decades:
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 |
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| Constituent Data Sets: The Environment |
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| 1. Forest Area Change 2000-2020 | Best: Guernsey, Bahrain, Iceland
Worst: Ivory Coast, Nicaragua, Gambia2010s: Burundi, Bahrain, Malta, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Cambodia 2000s: Guernsey, Iceland, Bahrain, Nicaragua, Ivory Coast, Gambia |
| 2. Environmental Performance | 2018 Best: Switzerland, France, Denmark
2018 Worst: Burundi, Bangladesh, Congo, DR |
| 3. Energy to GDP Efficiency | 2022 Best: Rwanda, Chad, Tanzania
2022 Worst: Turkmenistan, Trinidad & Tobago, Bahrain2010s: 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, Andorra2020s (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 | 2011 Best: Argentina, Greece, Brazil
2011 Worst: Turkmenistan, Albania, Haiti |
| 6. Meat Consumption | 2021 Best: Congo, DR, Burundi, Bangladesh
2021 Worst: Hong Kong, USA, Nauru2010s: Burundi, Congo, DR, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Australia, USA |
| 7. Green Future Index | 2023 Best: Iceland, Finland, Norway
2023 Worst: Iran, Algeria, Zambia |
| > > > Details and Commentary on these data sets |
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| Overall Results across all decades:
Best: Vatican City, Finland, Belgium
Regions: Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe4
Worst: S. Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia
Regions: Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia4 |
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| Constituent Data Sets: Modernity |
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| 1. Research and Development | 2016 Best: S. Korea, Israel, Japan
2016 Worst: Lesotho, 3-country draw |
| 2. Intellectual Endeavours | 2017 Best: Ukraine, Czechia, Hungary
2017 Worst: Angola, Iraq, Bolivia |
| 3. Metric System Adoption Rate | 2025 Best: 26-country draw
2025 Worst: USA, Liberia, 3-country draw2020s (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 | 2018 Best: China, Estonia, Czechia
2018 Worst: Ethiopia, Senegal, 2-country draw |
| 5. IQ | 2006 Best: Singapore, Hong Kong, S. Korea
2006 Worst: 6-country draw |
| Constituent Data Sets: Education |
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| 6. Secondary Education | 2018 Best: 6-country draw
2018 Worst: Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso |
| 7. Length of Schooling | 2021 Best: Australia, New Zealand, Greece
2021 Worst: S. Sudan, Niger, Mali2010s: 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 | 2015 Best: Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan
2015 Worst: Dominican Rep., Algeria, Kosovo |
| Constituent Data Sets: Technology and Information |
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| 9. Internet Users | 2016 Best: Iceland, Faroe Islands, Norway
2016 Worst: Eritrea, Timor-Leste (E. Timor), Burundi |
| 10. Freedom On The Internet | 2012 Best: Estonia, USA, Germany
2012 Worst: Iran, Cuba, China |
| 11. IT Security | 2013 Best: Belize, Ireland, Luxembourg
2013 Worst: USA, Russia, India |
| 12. IPv6 Uptake | 2017 Best: Belgium, Germany, Switzerland
2017 Worst: 59-country draw |
| 13. Digital Quality of Life | 2024 Best: Germany, Finland, France
2024 Worst: Yemen, Congo, DR, Mozambique |
| > > > Details and Commentary on these data sets |
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| Overall Results across all decades:
Best:
Regions:
Worst:
Regions: |
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| Constituent Data Sets: National Culture |
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| 1. World Giving Index | 2022 Best: Indonesia, Kenya, USA
2022 Worst: Cambodia, Japan, 2-country draw2010s: Myanmar, USA, New Zealand, China, Greece, Yemen |
| 2. Corruption | 2022 Best: Denmark, Finland, New Zealand
2022 Worst: Somalia, S. Sudan, Syria2010s: 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 | 2024 Best: Finland, Denmark, Iceland
2024 Worst: Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Lebanon2010s: Denmark, Finland, Norway, S. Sudan, Central African Rep., Burundi |
| 4. Creativity and Culture | 2017 Best: Belgium, Netherlands, Estonia
2017 Worst: Libya, Congo, DR, Rwanda |
| 5. Passport Reach | Best: Singapore, Japan, S. Korea
Worst: Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq2020s (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 | 2017 Best: Ireland, Denmark, Sweden
2017 Worst: Equatorial Guinea, Brazil, Papua New Guinea |
| Constituent Data Sets: Peace Versus Instability |
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| 7. Global Peace Index | 2023 Best: Iceland, Denmark, Ireland
2023 Worst: Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria2010s: Iceland, Denmark, Austria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia |
| 8. Peacekeeping and Security | 2017 Best: Samoa, S. Africa, Tunisia
2017 Worst: Guinea-Bissau, Marshall Islands, Tonga |
| 9. Refugees and UN Treaties | 2017 Best: Austria, Germany, Netherlands
2017 Worst: Brunei, Tonga, Fiji |
| 10. Impact of Terrorism | 2019 Best: 13-country draw
2019 Worst: Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria |
| Constituent Data Sets: Economic Inequality and Poverty |
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| 11. Poverty | Best: Malaysia, Bhutan, Cyprus
Worst: Congo, DR, Mozambique, Burundi2020s (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 | 2018 Best: Armenia, Ukraine, Serbia
2018 Worst: Niger, S. Sudan, Chad |
| > > > Details and Commentary on these data sets |
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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.