https://www.humantruth.info/spain.html
By Vexen Crabtree 2025
| Spain Kingdom of Spain | ![]() |
|---|---|
| Status | Independent State |
| Social and Moral Index | 18th best |
| Capital | Madrid |
| Land Area | 498 800km21 |
| Location | Europe, The Mediterranean |
| Population | 46.7m2 |
| Life Expectancy | 83.01yrs (2017)3 |
| GNI | $38 354 (2017)4 |
| ISO3166-1 Codes | ES, ESP, 7245 |
| Internet Domain | .es6 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR)7 |
| Telephone | +348 |
“Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975, and rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the EU in 1986) gave Spain a dynamic and rapidly growing economy and made it a global champion of freedom and human rights. More recently the government has had to focus on measures to reverse a severe economic recession that began in mid-2008. Austerity measures implemented to reduce a large budget deficit and reassure foreign investors have led to one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe.”
CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9
“Passionate, sophisticated and devoted to living the good life, Spain is at once a stereotype come to life and a country more diverse than you ever imagined. Spanish landscapes stir the soul, from the jagged Pyrenees and wildly beautiful cliffs of the Atlantic northwest to charming Mediterranean coves, while astonishing architecture spans the ages at seemingly every turn. Spain´s cities march to a beguiling beat, rushing headlong into the 21st century even as timeless villages serve as beautiful signposts to Old Spain. And then there´s one of Europe´s most celebrated (and varied) gastronomic scenes of seafood, paella, tapas and fine wines. But, above all, Spain lives very much in the present. Perhaps you´ll sense it along a crowded after-midnight street when it seems all the world has come out to play. Or maybe that moment will come when a flamenco performer touches something deep in your soul. Or in a wild fiesta or an afternoon siesta. Whenever it happens, you´ll find yourself nodding in recognition: this is Spain.”
#economics #human_development #wealth
| UN HDI (2021)11 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Higher is better Value11 | |
| 1 | Switzerland | 0.962 |
| 2 | Norway | 0.961 |
| 3 | Iceland | 0.959 |
| ... | ||
| 24= | Malta | 0.918 |
| 25 | Austria | 0.916 |
| 26 | UAE | 0.911 |
| 27 | Spain | 0.905 |
| 28 | France | 0.903 |
| 29 | Cyprus | 0.896 |
| 30 | Italy | 0.895 |
| 31 | Estonia | 0.890 |
| Europe Avg | 0.87 | |
| World Avg | 0.72 | |
| q=191. | ||
| Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Higher is better PPP $11 | |
| 1 | Liechtenstein | $146 830 |
| 2 | Singapore | $90 919 |
| 3 | Qatar | $87 134 |
| ... | ||
| 34 | Bahrain | $39 497 |
| 35 | Malta | $38 884 |
| 36 | Czechia | $38 745 |
| 37 | Spain | $38 354 |
| 38 | Cyprus | $38 188 |
| 39 | Estonia | $38 048 |
| 40 | Lithuania | $37 931 |
| 41 | Portugal | $33 155 |
| Europe Avg | $40 512 | |
| World Avg | $20 136 | |
| q=193. | ||
| Social & Moral Development Index12 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank12 | |
| 1 | Denmark | 26.9 |
| 2 | Norway | 29.1 |
| 3 | Sweden | 29.9 |
| ... | ||
| 15 | Liechtenstein | 40.8 |
| 16 | New Zealand | 42.2 |
| 17 | Canada | 43.5 |
| 18 | Spain | 43.5 |
| 19 | Australia | 43.5 |
| 20 | Italy | 43.7 |
| 21 | Slovenia | 44.3 |
| 22 | Portugal | 45.6 |
| Europe Avg | 55.7 | |
| World Avg | 89.0 | |
| q=200. | ||
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.
#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen
Population Datasets:
Spain's population is predicted to rise to 50. 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 1.16. 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, once you take mortality into account13. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.14| Population2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2018 Population2 | |
| 1 | China | 1.4b |
| 2 | India | 1.4b |
| 3 | USA | 327.1m |
| ... | ||
| 27 | Kenya | 51.4m |
| 28 | S. Korea | 51.2m |
| 29 | Colombia | 49.7m |
| 30 | Spain | 46.7m |
| 31 | Argentina | 44.4m |
| 32 | Ukraine | 44.2m |
| 33 | Uganda | 42.7m |
| 34 | Algeria | 42.2m |
| World Avg | 39.0m | |
| q=195. | ||
| Life Expectancy Higher is better11 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2021 Years11 | |
| 1 | Monaco | 85.9 |
| 2 | Hong Kong | 85.5 |
| 3 | Japan | 84.8 |
| ... | ||
| 7 | S. Korea | 83.7 |
| 8 | Liechtenstein | 83.3 |
| 9 | Norway | 83.2 |
| 10 | Spain | 83.0 |
| 11 | Sweden | 83.0 |
| 12 | Italy | 82.9 |
| 13 | Singapore | 82.8 |
| 14 | Iceland | 82.7 |
| World Avg | 71.28 | |
| q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s. | ||
| Fertility Rate 2.0 is best15 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 202215 | |
| 1 | US Virgin Islands | 2.00 |
| 2 | Ecuador | 2.00 |
| 3 | Nepal | 2.01 |
| ... | ||
| 139 | Aruba | 1.18 |
| 140 | China | 1.18 |
| 141 | Algeria | 2.83 |
| 142 | Spain | 1.16 |
| 143 | Malta | 1.15 |
| 144 | Egypt | 2.88 |
| 145 | Israel | 2.89 |
| 146 | Singapore | 1.04 |
| World Avg | 2.47 | |
| q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s. | ||
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better16 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2016 Per 10016 | |
| 1 | Uganda | 04.3 |
| 2 | Mali | 04.5 |
| 3= | Chad | 04.7 |
| ... | ||
| 174= | France | 40.5 |
| 174= | Austria | 40.5 |
| 176 | Greece | 41.3 |
| 177 | Spain | 41.4 |
| 178 | Netherlands | 41.9 |
| 179 | Slovenia | 42.7 |
| 180 | Finland | 43.3 |
| 181 | Hong Kong | 43.7 |
| World Avg | 18.3 | |
| q=185. | ||
Migration Datasets:
| Immigrants17 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2017 %17 | |
| 1 | UAE | 88.4% |
| 2 | Kuwait | 75.5% |
| 3 | Qatar | 65.2% |
| ... | ||
| 41 | Croatia | 13.4% |
| 42 | UK | 13.4% |
| 43 | Latvia | 13.2% |
| 44 | Spain | 12.8% |
| 45 | Iceland | 12.5% |
| 46 | Libya | 12.4% |
| 47 | France | 12.2% |
| 48 | Barbados | 12.1% |
| World Avg | 9.4% | |
| q=195. | ||
| Emigrants18 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2010 %18 | |
| 1 | Dominica | 104.8% |
| 2 | Palestine | 68.4% |
| 3 | Samoa | 67.3% |
| ... | ||
| 138 | Nepal | 3.3% |
| 139 | Bangladesh | 3.3% |
| 140 | Botswana | 3.2% |
| 141 | Spain | 3.0% |
| 142 | Central African Rep. | 2.9% |
| 143 | Angola | 2.8% |
| 144 | France | 2.8% |
| 145 | Costa Rica | 2.7% |
| World Avg | 11.5% | |
| q=192. | ||
#christianity #equality #freedom #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #spain #spain_homosexuality #tolerance
| Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)19 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank19 | |
| 1 | Sweden | 7.8 |
| 2 | Netherlands | 8.7 |
| 3 | Denmark | 8.8 |
| ... | ||
| 15 | Switzerland | 25.0 |
| 16 | UK | 25.5 |
| 17 | Ireland | 28.8 |
| 18 | Spain | 29.0 |
| 19 | Italy | 29.9 |
| 20 | Slovenia | 30.9 |
| Europe Avg | 47.37 | |
| World Avg | 89.80 | |
| q=199. | ||
For tables, charts and commentary, see:
#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #hong_kong #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #spain #suicide #vaccines
| Compared to Europe (2025)31 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank31 | |
| 1 | Monaco | 10.3 |
| 2 | Liechtenstein | 30.1 |
| 3 | Sweden | 42.3 |
| ... | ||
| 14 | Italy | 56.9 |
| 15 | Slovenia | 58.6 |
| 16 | Portugal | 60.4 |
| 17 | Spain | 61.6 |
| 18 | Andorra | 63.1 |
| 19 | UK | 63.2 |
| 20 | Czechia | 64.6 |
| 21 | Austria | 65.8 |
| 22 | Cyprus | 65.8 |
| Europe Avg | 86.87 | |
| q=48. | ||
| Health (2025)31 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank31 | |
| 1 | Monaco | 10.3 |
| 2 | Liechtenstein | 30.1 |
| 3 | Japan | 37.3 |
| ... | ||
| 22 | Australia | 60.4 |
| 23 | Portugal | 60.4 |
| 24 | Hong Kong | 61.0 |
| 25 | Spain | 61.6 |
| 26 | Canada | 62.0 |
| 27 | Cuba | 62.5 |
| 28 | Andorra | 63.1 |
| 29 | UK | 63.2 |
| World Avg | 97.57 | |
| q=207. | ||
The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and Japan32. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan32.
42 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, obesity rate, its adolescent birth rate, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 and childhood mortality. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean32, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia32.
For more, see:
#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #hong_kong #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #smoking #spain #suicide
Spain does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Spain comes in the best 20 for its average life expectancy11 and in childhood mortality in the 2020s33. It does better than average when it comes to its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance34, its adolescent birth rate35, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-201536, its suicide rate37 and in delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s38. Spain doesn't do so well in other areas. Spain does worse than average when it comes to its smoking rate39, its fertility rate15 (one of the highest in Europe), its alcohol consumption rate40 (still good for Europe) and in the prevalence of overweight adults41. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. Life expectancy in Spain in the 1990s and later 2010s was amongst the top 10 in the world. It improved by +6.5yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Spain had the joint-lowest average fertility rate in the world throughout the 1990s, at 1.2, alongside Hong Kong. Its peak fertility rate was 3.01 in 1964.| Life Expectancy Higher is better11 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2021 Years11 | |
| 1 | Monaco | 85.9 |
| 2 | Hong Kong | 85.5 |
| 3 | Japan | 84.8 |
| ... | ||
| 7 | S. Korea | 83.7 |
| 8 | Liechtenstein | 83.3 |
| 9 | Norway | 83.2 |
| 10 | Spain | 83.0 |
| 11 | Sweden | 83.0 |
| 12 | Italy | 82.9 |
| 13 | Singapore | 82.8 |
| 14 | Iceland | 82.7 |
| Europe Avg | 78.36 | |
| World Avg | 71.28 | |
| q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s. | ||
| Alcohol Consumption Lower is better40 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2016 Per Capita40 | |
| 1 | Bangladesh | 0.0 |
| 2 | Kuwait | 0.0 |
| 3 | Libya | 0.0 |
| ... | ||
| 148= | USA | 9.8 |
| 149= | St Lucia | 9.9 |
| 149= | Swaziland | 9.9 |
| 151 | Spain | 10.0 |
| 152 | S. Korea | 10.2 |
| 153= | Laos | 10.4 |
| 153= | Greece | 10.4 |
| 153= | Denmark | 10.4 |
| Europe Avg | 10.3 | |
| World Avg | 6.2 | |
| q=189. | ||
| Fertility Rate 2.0 is best15 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 202215 | |
| 1 | US Virgin Islands | 2.00 |
| 2 | Ecuador | 2.00 |
| 3 | Nepal | 2.01 |
| ... | ||
| 139 | Aruba | 1.18 |
| 140 | China | 1.18 |
| 141 | Algeria | 2.83 |
| 142 | Spain | 1.16 |
| 143 | Malta | 1.15 |
| 144 | Egypt | 2.88 |
| 145 | Israel | 2.89 |
| 146 | Singapore | 1.04 |
| Europe Avg | 1.53 | |
| World Avg | 2.47 | |
| q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s. | ||
| Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better39 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Total %39 | |
| 1 | Nigeria | 3.3% |
| 2 | Ghana | 3.4% |
| 3 | Panama | 5.2% |
| ... | ||
| 127 | Fiji | 27.6% |
| 128 | Estonia | 28.3% |
| 129 | Nepal | 28.4% |
| 130 | Spain | 28.5% |
| 131 | Chile | 28.8% |
| 132 | Russia | 29.2% |
| 133 | Mongolia | 29.6% |
| 134 | Moldova | 29.7% |
| Europe Avg | 27.0% | |
| World Avg | 20.0% | |
| q=165. Also scored for 2000s-2020s. | ||
| Suicide Rate37 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2013 Per 100k37 | |
| 1 | Haiti | 0 |
| 2 | Grenada | 0 |
| 3 | Egypt | 0.1 |
| ... | ||
| 38 | Mauritius | 13.7 |
| 39 | UK | 13.9 |
| 40 | Ecuador | 14.1 |
| 41 | Spain | 15.3 |
| 42 | Argentina | 15.6 |
| 43 | Thailand | 15.8 |
| 44 | Australia | 16.4 |
| 45 | El Salvador | 16.5 |
| Europe Avg | 26.99 | |
| World Avg | 20.93 | |
| q=91. | ||
| Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better34 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2017 Rank34 | |
| 1 | Sweden | 1 |
| 2 | Ireland | 2 |
| 3 | Denmark | 3 |
| ... | ||
| 19 | S. Korea | 19 |
| 20 | Kuwait | 20 |
| 21 | Japan | 21 |
| 22 | Spain | 22 |
| 23 | France | 23 |
| 24 | Italy | 24 |
| 25 | Qatar | 25 |
| 26 | Oman | 26 |
| Europe Avg | 47.4 | |
| World Avg | 82.0 | |
| q=163. | ||
| Overweight Adults Lower is better41 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 1976 %41 | |
| 1 | Bangladesh | 4.7 |
| 2 | Vietnam | 5.1 |
| 3 | Nepal | 5.4 |
| ... | ||
| 161= | Greece | 41.2 |
| 162 | Bulgaria | 41.4 |
| 163= | USA | 41.6 |
| 163= | Spain | 41.6 |
| 165 | Ukraine | 42.2 |
| 166 | Australia | 42.4 |
| 167 | Lithuania | 42.6 |
| 168 | New Zealand | 42.7 |
| Europe Avg | 38.2 | |
| World Avg | 27.1 | |
| q=191. | ||
| Adult Obesity Lower is better42 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2022 %42 | |
| 1 | Vietnam | 2.1% |
| 2 | Timor-Leste (E. Timor) | 2.2% |
| 3 | Ethiopia | 2.4% |
| ... | ||
| 68 | Botswana | 17.5% |
| 69 | Maldives | 17.6% |
| 70 | Afghanistan | 17.6% |
| 71 | Spain | 19.2% |
| 72 | Lesotho | 19.3% |
| 73 | Kazakhstan | 19.3% |
| 74 | Mauritius | 19.5% |
| 75 | Norway | 19.8% |
| Europe Avg | 25.9% | |
| World Avg | 24.7% | |
| q=199. Also scored for 1990s-2010s. | ||
#children's_health #health #parenting #population #vaccines
| Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better35 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2022 Per 100035 | |
| 1 | Hong Kong | 1.6 |
| 2 | Denmark | 1.8 |
| 3 | S. Korea | 2.1 |
| ... | ||
| 21 | Kuwait | 5.3 |
| 22 | Ireland | 5.9 |
| 23 | Andorra | 5.9 |
| 24 | Spain | 6.3 |
| 25 | Canada | 6.6 |
| 26 | Tunisia | 6.6 |
| 27 | Maldives | 6.8 |
| 28 | Cyprus | 6.8 |
| Europe Avg | 11.4 | |
| World Avg | 43.8 | |
| q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s. | ||
| Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better38 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Total Avg %38 | |
| 1= | Luxembourg | 99.0 |
| 1= | Oman | 99.0 |
| 1= | Niue | 99.0 |
| ... | ||
| 73 | Cayman Islands | 95.6 |
| 74= | Botswana | 95.6 |
| 74= | Uruguay | 95.6 |
| 74= | Spain | 95.6 |
| 74= | Malaysia | 95.6 |
| 78 | Mauritius | 95.5 |
| 79 | Croatia | 95.3 |
| 80 | Czechia | 95.1 |
| Europe Avg | 93.2 | |
| World Avg | 88.5 | |
| q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s. | ||
| 7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) Higher is better36 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2015 Avg %36 | |
| 1= | Hungary | 99.0 |
| 1= | China | 99.0 |
| 3 | Uzbekistan | 98.9 |
| ... | ||
| 38 | Brazil | 96.7 |
| 39= | Jordan | 96.6 |
| 39= | Brunei | 96.6 |
| 41 | Spain | 96.5 |
| 42 | Poland | 96.5 |
| 43 | Libya | 96.4 |
| 44 | St Kitts & Nevis | 96.3 |
| 45 | Bahamas | 96.2 |
| Europe Avg | 92.7 | |
| World Avg | 88.3 | |
| q=194. | ||
| Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better33 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Total Per 100033 | |
| 1 | San Marino | 2.11 |
| 2 | Finland | 2.59 |
| 3 | Luxembourg | 2.60 |
| ... | ||
| 10 | Cyprus | 3.03 |
| 11 | Czechia | 3.18 |
| 12 | Estonia | 3.39 |
| 13 | Spain | 3.42 |
| 14= | Monaco | 3.55 |
| 14= | Italy | 3.55 |
| 16 | S. Korea | 3.57 |
| 17 | Portugal | 3.62 |
| Europe Avg | 6.30 | |
| World Avg | 32.19 | |
| q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s. | ||
#climate_change #energy #Spain #spain_and_the_environment #Spain_environment #sustainability #the_environment
| Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)43 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank43 | |
| 1 | Sri Lanka | 34.9 |
| 2 | Uruguay | 43.2 |
| 3 | Switzerland | 45.0 |
| ... | ||
| 24 | Germany | 58.2 |
| 25 | Ghana | 58.6 |
| 26 | Thailand | 59.5 |
| 27 | Spain | 59.5 |
| 28 | Austria | 59.6 |
| 29 | Tunisia | 60.1 |
| Europe Avg | 86.45 | |
| World Avg | 84.93 | |
| q=199. | ||
For tables, charts and commentary, see:
#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #metric #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet
| Compared to Europe (2025)50 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank50 | |
| 1 | Vatican City | 1.0 |
| 2 | Finland | 4.8 |
| 3 | Belgium | 8.5 |
| ... | ||
| 13 | Monaco | 15.1 |
| 14 | France | 17.8 |
| 15 | Hungary | 19.7 |
| 16 | Spain | 19.9 |
| 17 | Estonia | 20.9 |
| 18 | Liechtenstein | 20.9 |
| 19 | Luxembourg | 21.8 |
| 20 | Poland | 22.0 |
| 21 | Portugal | 22.1 |
| Europe Avg | 31.28 | |
| q=49. | ||
| Modernity & Learning (2025)50 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank50 | |
| 1 | Vatican City | 1.0 |
| 2 | Finland | 4.8 |
| 3 | Belgium | 8.5 |
| ... | ||
| 14 | France | 17.8 |
| 15 | New Zealand | 19.3 |
| 16 | Hungary | 19.7 |
| 17 | Spain | 19.9 |
| 18 | Estonia | 20.9 |
| 19 | Liechtenstein | 20.9 |
| 20 | Luxembourg | 21.8 |
| 21 | Poland | 22.0 |
| World Avg | 80.33 | |
| q=194. | ||
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 The Vatican City, Finland and Belgium51. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia51. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots52.
“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)53
23 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Intellectual Endeavours, metric system adoption rate, Religiosity, IQ, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Maths, Science & Reading, 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 Europe51, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia51.
For more, see:
#intelligence #metric #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation
| Research & Development Higher is better | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2016 % RDP PPP | |
| 1 | S. Korea | 4.2954 |
| 2 | Israel | 4.1154 |
| 3 | Japan | 3.5854 |
| ... | ||
| 26 | Italy | 1.2954 |
| 27 | Portugal | 1.2854 |
| 28 | Luxembourg | 1.2654 |
| 29 | Spain | 1.2254 |
| 30 | Russia | 1.1954 |
| 31 | New Zealand | 1.1755 |
| 32 | Brazil | 1.1556 |
| 33 | Malaysia | 1.1356 |
| Europe Avg | 1.32 | |
| World Avg | 0.84 | |
| q=126. | ||
| Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better34 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2017 Rank34 | |
| 1 | Ukraine | 1 |
| 2 | Czechia | 2 |
| 3 | Hungary | 3 |
| ... | ||
| 37 | Luxembourg | 37 |
| 38 | USA | 38 |
| 39 | Portugal | 39 |
| 40 | Spain | 40 |
| 41 | Italy | 41 |
| 42 | Slovakia | 42 |
| 43 | Marshall Islands | 43 |
| 44 | S. Korea | 44 |
| Europe Avg | 31.3 | |
| World Avg | 82.0 | |
| q=163. | ||
| Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better57 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2025 %57 | |
| 1= | Slovakia | 100 |
| 1= | Poland | 100 |
| 1= | Portugal | 100 |
| ... | ||
| 7= | Austria | 100 |
| 7= | France | 100 |
| 7= | Australia | 100 |
| 7= | Spain | 100 |
| 7= | Sweden | 100 |
| 7= | Switzerland | 100 |
| 7= | Italy | 100 |
| 7= | Vatican City | 100 |
| Europe Avg | 97 | |
| World Avg | 92 | |
| q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s. | ||
Spain officially adopted metric in 185858. Progression:
| Religiosity Lower is better59 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2018 %59 | |
| 1 | China | 3 |
| 2 | Estonia | 6 |
| 3 | Czechia | 7 |
| ... | ||
| 26= | Belarus | 21 |
| 27= | Ireland | 22 |
| 27= | Kazakhstan | 22 |
| 27= | Spain | 22 |
| 30= | Slovakia | 23 |
| 30= | Ukraine | 23 |
| 32 | Canada | 27 |
| 33= | Uzbekistan | 29 |
| Europe Avg | 25.8 | |
| World Avg | 54.3 | |
| q=106. | ||
| IQ Higher is better60 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 200660 | |
| 1= | Hong Kong | 108 |
| 1= | Singapore | 108 |
| 3 | S. Korea | 106 |
| ... | ||
| 22= | Canada | 99 |
| 23= | Andorra | 98 |
| 23= | Czechia | 98 |
| 23= | Spain | 98 |
| 23= | France | 98 |
| 23= | Australia | 98 |
| 23= | Denmark | 98 |
| 23= | USA | 98 |
| Europe Avg | 96.6 | |
| World Avg | 85.6 | |
| q=138. | ||
#education #english #maths #science
| Secondary Education Higher is better61 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 201861 | |
| 1= | Luxembourg | 100.0% |
| 1= | Estonia | 100.0% |
| 1= | Austria | 100.0% |
| ... | ||
| 66 | Malta | 78.2% |
| 67 | Fiji | 76.9% |
| 68 | S. Africa | 76.5% |
| 69 | Spain | 75.8% |
| 70 | Samoa | 74.5% |
| 71 | Trinidad & Tobago | 73.4% |
| 72 | Philippines | 73.2% |
| 73 | Saudi Arabia | 72.8% |
| Europe Avg | 88.3% | |
| World Avg | 63.0% | |
| q=169. | ||
| Length of Schooling Higher is better62 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2021 Years62 | |
| 1 | Australia | 21.1 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 20.3 |
| 3 | Greece | 20.0 |
| ... | ||
| 11 | Grenada | 18.7 |
| 12 | Turkey | 18.3 |
| 13 | Norway | 18.2 |
| 14 | Spain | 17.9 |
| 15 | Argentina | 17.9 |
| 16 | Slovenia | 17.7 |
| 17 | UK | 17.3 |
| 18 | Hong Kong | 17.3 |
| Europe Avg | 16.1 | |
| World Avg | 13.5 | |
| q=193. Also scored for 1990s-2010s. | ||
| Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better63 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2015 Score63 | |
| 1 | Singapore | 1655 |
| 2 | Hong Kong | 1598 |
| 3 | Japan | 1586 |
| ... | ||
| 26= | Sweden | 1487 |
| 27 | Austria | 1477 |
| 28 | Russia | 1476 |
| 29 | Spain | 1475 |
| 30 | Czechia | 1472 |
| 31 | USA | 1463 |
| 32 | Latvia | 1460 |
| 33 | Italy | 1456 |
| Europe Avg | 1417 | |
| World Avg | 1389 | |
| q=70. | ||
#it_security #modernity #technology #the_internet
| Internet Users Higher is better64 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 201664 | |
| 1 | Iceland | 100% |
| 2 | Faroe Islands | 99% |
| 3 | Norway | 98% |
| ... | ||
| 31 | Puerto Rico | 83% |
| 32= | Singapore | 83% |
| 32= | Slovakia | 83% |
| 34 | Spain | 82% |
| 35 | Austria | 81% |
| 36 | Ireland | 81% |
| 37 | Barbados | 80% |
| 38 | Hungary | 80% |
| Europe Avg | 76.7% | |
| World Avg | 48.1% | |
| q=201. | ||
| IT Security Lower is better65 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 201365 | |
| 1= | Ireland | 0.11 |
| 1= | Luxembourg | 0.11 |
| 1= | Belize | 0.11 |
| ... | ||
| 36 | Ethiopia | 0.84 |
| 37 | Iran | 0.85 |
| 38 | Laos | 0.86 |
| 39 | Spain | 0.88 |
| 40 | Kuwait | 0.93 |
| 41 | Saudi Arabia | 0.93 |
| 42 | Malaysia | 0.96 |
| 43 | Canada | 0.96 |
| Europe Avg | 0.80 | |
| World Avg | 0.98 | |
| IPv6 Uptake Higher is better66 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2017 Ratio66 | |
| 1 | Belgium | 55.4 |
| 2 | Germany | 41.8 |
| 3 | Switzerland | 35.1 |
| ... | ||
| 50 | Dominican Rep. | 1.1 |
| 51 | Slovakia | 0.8 |
| 52 | Hong Kong | 0.7 |
| 53 | Spain | 0.6 |
| 54 | St Kitts & Nevis | 0.6 |
| 55 | Nauru | 0.5 |
| 56 | Egypt | 0.4 |
| 57 | Mexico | 0.4 |
| Europe Avg | 8.11 | |
| World Avg | 3.82 | |
| q=176. | ||
| Digital Quality of Life Higher is better67 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 202467 | |
| 1 | Germany | 77.9% |
| 2 | Finland | 76.9% |
| 3 | France | 73.9% |
| 4 | Netherlands | 72.6% |
| 5 | Denmark | 72.3% |
| 6 | Austria | 70.8% |
| 7 | Spain | 70.5% |
| 8 | Luxembourg | 70.0% |
| 9 | UK | 69.3% |
| 10 | Estonia | 69.3% |
| 11 | Switzerland | 69.0% |
| 12 | Sweden | 68.7% |
| Europe Avg | 61.0% | |
| World Avg | 48.4% | |
| q=121. | ||
#capitalism #charity #corruption #economics #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #internationalism #life_expectancy #morals #peace #politics #poverty #religious_violence #social_development #terrorism
#charity #corruption #happiness #internationalism #morals #politics
Spain has an adequate long-term record on corruption.| World Giving Index Higher is better68 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2022 %68 | |
| 1 | Indonesia | 68.0 |
| 2 | Kenya | 61.0 |
| 3 | USA | 59.0 |
| ... | ||
| 99= | Taiwan | 34.0 |
| 100= | Bangladesh | 33.0 |
| 100= | Tanzania | 33.0 |
| 102= | Spain | 32.0 |
| 102= | Benin | 32.0 |
| 102= | Jordan | 32.0 |
| 102= | France | 32.0 |
| 102= | Greece | 32.0 |
| Europe Avg | 39.0 | |
| World Avg | 39.6 | |
| q=125. Also scored for 2010s. | ||
| Corruption Higher is better69 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2022 Points69 | |
| 1 | Denmark | 90.0 |
| 2= | Finland | 87.0 |
| 2= | New Zealand | 87.0 |
| ... | ||
| 33= | Lithuania | 62.0 |
| 33= | Portugal | 62.0 |
| 35= | Cape Verde | 60.0 |
| 35= | Spain | 60.0 |
| 35= | St Vincent & Grenadines | 60.0 |
| 35= | Botswana | 60.0 |
| 39 | Latvia | 59.0 |
| 40 | Qatar | 58.0 |
| Europe Avg | 57.61 | |
| World Avg | 42.98 | |
| q=180. Also scored for 1990s-2010s. | ||
| Happiness Higher is better70 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2024 Score70 | |
| 1 | Finland | 7.7 |
| 2 | Denmark | 7.5 |
| 3 | Iceland | 7.5 |
| ... | ||
| 35 | Romania | 6.6 |
| 36 | Brazil | 6.5 |
| 37 | El Salvador | 6.5 |
| 38 | Spain | 6.5 |
| 39 | Estonia | 6.4 |
| 40 | Italy | 6.4 |
| 41 | Panama | 6.4 |
| 42 | Argentina | 6.4 |
| Europe Avg | 6.37 | |
| World Avg | 5.58 | |
| q=147. Also scored for 2010s. | ||
| Creativity & Culture Lower is better34 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2017 Rank34 | |
| 1 | Belgium | 1 |
| 2 | Netherlands | 2 |
| 3 | Estonia | 3 |
| ... | ||
| 27 | Mauritius | 27 |
| 28 | Malta | 28 |
| 29 | Singapore | 29 |
| 30 | Spain | 30 |
| 31 | Romania | 31 |
| 32 | Costa Rica | 32 |
| 33 | Serbia | 33 |
| 34 | S. Korea | 34 |
| Europe Avg | 35.0 | |
| World Avg | 82.0 | |
| q=163. | ||
| Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better71 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Total Q71 | |
| 1 | Singapore | 192.2 |
| 2 | Japan | 192.0 |
| 3 | S. Korea | 190.7 |
| 4 | Germany | 190.3 |
| 5 | Spain | 189.8 |
| 6 | Italy | 189.7 |
| 7 | Finland | 189.5 |
| 8 | Luxembourg | 189.3 |
| 9= | Denmark | 188.7 |
| 9= | Austria | 188.7 |
| 11 | France | 188.5 |
| 12= | Netherlands | 188.3 |
| Europe Avg | 160.7 | |
| World Avg | 108.8 | |
| q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s. | ||
| Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better34 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2017 Rank34 | |
| 1 | Ireland | 1 |
| 2 | Denmark | 2 |
| 3 | Sweden | 3 |
| ... | ||
| 31 | Lebanon | 31 |
| 32 | Barbados | 32 |
| 33 | Mongolia | 33 |
| 34 | Spain | 34 |
| 35 | UK | 35 |
| 36 | Italy | 36 |
| 37 | Estonia | 37 |
| 38 | Cyprus | 38 |
| Europe Avg | 42.6 | |
| World Avg | 82.0 | |
| q=163. | ||
#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism
| Global Peace Index Lower is better72 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2023 Score72 | |
| 1 | Iceland | 1.12 |
| 2 | Denmark | 1.31 |
| 3 | Ireland | 1.31 |
| ... | ||
| 28 | Sweden | 1.63 |
| 29 | Poland | 1.63 |
| 30 | Bulgaria | 1.64 |
| 31= | Spain | 1.65 |
| 31= | Romania | 1.65 |
| 31= | Taiwan | 1.65 |
| 34 | Italy | 1.66 |
| 35 | Kuwait | 1.67 |
| Europe Avg | 1.70 | |
| World Avg | 2.07 | |
| q=163. Also scored for 2010s. | ||
| Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better34 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2017 Rank34 | |
| 1 | Samoa | 1 |
| 2 | S. Africa | 2 |
| 3 | Tunisia | 3 |
| ... | ||
| 68 | Congo, (Brazzaville) | 68 |
| 69 | Bulgaria | 69 |
| 70 | Zimbabwe | 70 |
| 71 | Spain | 71 |
| 72 | USA | 72 |
| 73 | Cyprus | 73 |
| 74 | Jamaica | 74 |
| 75 | Guyana | 75 |
| Europe Avg | 84.6 | |
| World Avg | 82.0 | |
| q=163. | ||
| Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better34 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2017 Rank34 | |
| 1 | Austria | 1 |
| 2 | Germany | 2 |
| 3 | Netherlands | 3 |
| ... | ||
| 12 | UK | 12 |
| 13 | Belgium | 13 |
| 14 | Italy | 14 |
| 15 | Spain | 15 |
| 16 | France | 16 |
| 17 | Cyprus | 17 |
| 18 | Slovenia | 18 |
| 19 | New Zealand | 19 |
| Europe Avg | 37.8 | |
| World Avg | 82.0 | |
| q=163. | ||
| Impact of Terrorism Lower is better73 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2019 Score73 | |
| 1 | Togo | 0.00 |
| 2 | Mongolia | 0.00 |
| 3 | Swaziland | 0.00 |
| ... | ||
| 89 | Paraguay | 3.12 |
| 90 | Bahrain | 3.20 |
| 91 | Tanzania | 3.27 |
| 92 | Spain | 3.35 |
| 93 | Bolivia | 3.39 |
| 94 | Algeria | 3.41 |
| 95 | Sweden | 3.45 |
| 96 | Sri Lanka | 3.57 |
| Europe Avg | 1.62 | |
| World Avg | 2.78 | |
| q=150. | ||
#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development
| Poverty (2020s) Lower is better74 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Total %74 | |
| 1 | Malaysia | 0.01% |
| 2 | Bhutan | 0.01% |
| 3 | Cyprus | 0.02% |
| ... | ||
| 38 | Israel | 0.73% |
| 39 | Greece | 0.75% |
| 40 | Sweden | 0.80% |
| 41 | Spain | 0.84% |
| 42 | Italy | 0.84% |
| 43 | Turkey | 0.87% |
| 44 | USA | 0.87% |
| 45 | Australia | 0.99% |
| Europe Avg | 1.20% | |
| World Avg | 11.40% | |
| q=106. Also scored for 1980s-2020s. | ||
| Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better75 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 201975 | |
| 1 | Iceland | 2.40 |
| 2= | Singapore | 2.50 |
| 2= | Hong Kong | 2.50 |
| ... | ||
| 8= | Czechia | 3.00 |
| 8= | Norway | 3.00 |
| 8= | S. Korea | 3.00 |
| 8= | Spain | 3.00 |
| 12= | Netherlands | 3.10 |
| 12= | Italy | 3.10 |
| 14 | Israel | 3.30 |
| 15= | Luxembourg | 3.40 |
| Europe Avg | 4.86 | |
| World Avg | 14.59 | |
| q=184. | ||
| Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better76 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | 2023 %76 | |
| 1 | Slovakia | 24.1%77 |
| 2 | Slovenia | 24.3%77 |
| 3 | Belarus | 24.4%78 |
| ... | ||
| 68= | Tunisia | 33.7%77 |
| 68= | Jordan | 33.7%79 |
| 68= | Switzerland | 33.7%78 |
| 71= | Spain | 33.9%77 |
| 71= | Romania | 33.9%77 |
| 73 | Tajikistan | 34.0%80 |
| 74 | Sudan | 34.2%81 |
| 75= | Australia | 34.3%82 |
| Europe Avg | 30.7% | |
| World Avg | 36.5% | |
| q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s. | ||
#afterlife #belief #buddhism #christianity #god #heaven #hell #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religion_in_spain #religiosity #secularisation #universalism
| Religiosity (2018)59 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Lower is better %59 | |
| 1 | China | 3 |
| 2 | Estonia | 6 |
| 3 | Czechia | 7 |
| ... | ||
| 26= | Belarus | 21 |
| 27= | Ireland | 22 |
| 27= | Kazakhstan | 22 |
| 27= | Spain | 22 |
| 30= | Slovakia | 23 |
| 30= | Ukraine | 23 |
| 32 | Canada | 27 |
| 33= | Uzbekistan | 29 |
| 33= | Uruguay | 29 |
| 35 | Poland | 30 |
| 36 | Serbia | 34 |
| 37= | Israel | 36 |
| 37= | Portugal | 36 |
| 39 | Azerbaijan | 38 |
| 40 | Chile | 41 |
| 41= | Croatia | 42 |
| World Avg | 54.3 | |
| q=106. | ||
| Disbelief In God (2007)83 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Higher is better %83 | |
| 1 | Vietnam | 81 |
| 2 | Japan | 65 |
| 3 | Sweden | 64 |
| ... | ||
| 30= | Belarus | 17 |
| 31= | Greece | 16 |
| 31= | Iceland | 16 |
| 33= | Spain | 15 |
| 33= | Israel | 15 |
| 35 | Armenia | 14 |
| 36= | Lithuania | 13 |
| 36= | Singapore | 13 |
| 38= | Kazakhstan | 12 |
| 38= | China | 12 |
| 38= | Uruguay | 12 |
| 41 | USA | 10 |
| 42 | Trinidad & Tobago | 9 |
| 43 | Albania | 8 |
| 44= | Dominican Rep. | 7 |
| 44= | Croatia | 7 |
| World Avg | 9.9 | |
| q=137. | ||
Pew Forum polling over the decades has found the following adherency rates:84:
| 2010 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Christian | 78.6% | 69.5% |
| Unaffiliated | 19% | 26.4% |
| Muslim | 2.12% | 3.58% |
| Other | 0.185% | 0.438% |
| Hindu | <0.1% | 0.125% |
| Jewish | <0.1% | <0.1% |
| Buddhist | <0.1% | <0.1% |
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 73.6% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 22% 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 (2009)
The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states simply: Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%85.
The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Spain86. Despite the large numbers of Christians, not many have traditional beliefs in the afterlife - just 5%. More people don't know what to believe (28%). Even more people believe that upon death, you simply cease to exist (40%). Also, 2% specifically believe in heaven but not in hell (which is nice - making them possible "universalists"). 4% believe in reincarnation.
Freedom of Religion and Belief:
Links: