Spain (Kingdom of Spain)

Spain Kingdom of Spain
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	21st 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

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

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1. Overview

“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.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Spain National and Social Development

#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	29.7
2	Norway	33.6
3	Switzerland	35.2
	...
18	Liechtenstein	46.2
19	France	46.3
20	Slovenia	47.9
21	Spain	49.1
22	Italy	49.7
23	Taiwan	50.3
24	Portugal	51.1
25	S. Korea	52.6
	Europe Avg	55.7
	World Avg	88.9
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. Spain's Demographics and Migration

#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. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

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.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
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.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15
Pos.		2016 Per 10015
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
174	France	40.5
175=	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.

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

Migration Datasets:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
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.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
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.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#christianity #equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #spain #spain_freedom #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
12	Belgium	18.4
13	Germany	21.0
14	UK	22.2
15	Spain	24.5
16	France	25.8
17	Ireland	25.9
	Europe Avg	47.37
	World Avg	86.55
q=199.

Spain performs very well in ensuring human rights and freedom compared to most other countries. Spain performs the best when it comes to its average Freedom in the World rating. It does the second-best in its nominal commitment to Human Rights₁₉. It comes in the best 20 when it comes to LGBT equality₂₀, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₁, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₂ and in opposing gender inequality₂₃. And finally, it does better than average in supporting press freedom₂₄, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₅ (but bad for Europe), eliminating modern slavery₂₆, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₇ and in freethought₂₈ (but high for Europe). The advances in gender equality and LGBT tolerance have been bitterly resisted by Spain's powerful Christian communities, in particular the Catholic Spanish Bishops Conference₂₉, but thankfully, human rights and moral conscience are well entrenched in Spanish law.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Spain

5. Spain's Health

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

Compared to Europe (2025)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
21	Austria	69.3
22	Montenegro	70.5
23	Portugal	72.9
24	Spain	74.6
25	Germany	75.7
26	Andorra	77.5
27	Albania	77.7
28	Macedonia	78.1
29	Cyprus	78.2
	Europe Avg	86.87
q=51.

Health (2025)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
44	Mauritius	73.2
45	Tunisia	73.7
46	Turks & Caicos Islands	74.3
47	Spain	74.6
48	Germany	75.7
49	Cuba	76.0
50	Andorra	77.5
51	Albania	77.7
	World Avg	96.49
q=213.

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 Man₃₁. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, The Cook Islands and S. Sudan₃₁.

27 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 and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₃₁, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Melanesia and Australasia₃₁.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Health Datasets:

Spain does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Spain comes in the best 20 in its average life expectancy₁₁. It does better than average in terms of its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₂, its adolescent birth rate₃₃, its immunizations take-up₃₄ and in its suicide rate₃₅. Spain doesn't do so well in other areas. Spain does worse than average when it comes to its smoking rate₃₆, its fertility rate₁₄ (amongst the highest in Europe), its alcohol consumption rate₃₇ (still good for Europe) and in the prevalence of overweight adults₃₈. The number 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.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better37
Pos.		2016 Per Capita37
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
148=	USA	9.8
149	St Lucia	9.9
150=	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 best14
Pos.		202214
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.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better36
Pos.		Total %36
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.

Suicide Rate35
Pos.		2013 Per 100k35
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 better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
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 better38
Pos.		1976 %38
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 better39
Pos.		2022 %39
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.

Children's Health Datasets:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better33
Pos.		2022 Per 100033
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.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better34
Pos.		2015 Avg %34
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.

6. Responsibility Towards The Environment

#climate_change #energy #Spain #spain_and_the_environment #Spain_environment #sustainability #the_environment

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)40
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank40
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.

Spain ranks 27th in the world in terms of its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is computed from 21 data sets. Spain comes in the best 20 when it comes to its score on the Green Future Index₄₁ and in its environmental performance₄₂. It does better than average in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₃, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₄, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment and in energy to GDP efficiency₄₅. But, things still need to improve in Spain. Spain sits amongst the bottom 20 in reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₆ (the worst in Europe).

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Spain's Responsibility Towards The Environment

7. Spain's Modernity and Learning

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

Compared to Europe (2020)47
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank47
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
15	Slovenia	22.5
16	France	26.8
17	Hungary	29.0
18	Spain	30.0
19	Latvia	30.3
20	Lithuania	31.4
21	Poland	33.2
22	Luxembourg	33.9
23	Italy	34.0
	Europe Avg	39.81
q=45.

Modernity & Learning (2020)47
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank47
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
22	France	26.8
23	Hungary	29.0
24	Israel	29.5
25	Spain	30.0
26	Latvia	30.3
27	Hong Kong	31.2
28	Lithuania	31.4
29	Poland	33.2
	World Avg	86.31
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 Denmark₄₈. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone₄₈. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₄₉.

“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)₅₀

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 Europe₄₈, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₄₈.

For more, see:

• "Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Modernity and Education Datasets:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2951
2	Israel	4.1151
3	Japan	3.5851
	...
26	Italy	1.2951
27	Portugal	1.2851
28	Luxembourg	1.2651
29	Spain	1.2251
30	Russia	1.1951
31	New Zealand	1.1752
32	Brazil	1.1553
33	Malaysia	1.1353
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better54
Pos.		201854
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 better55
Pos.		2021 Years55
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.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
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.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better56
Pos.		2015 Score56
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.

Religiosity Lower is better57
Pos.		2018 %57
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
26=	Belarus	21
27	Ireland	22
28=	Kazakhstan	22
28=	Spain	22
30	Slovakia	23
31=	Ukraine	23
32	Canada	27
33=	Uzbekistan	29
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better58
Pos.		200658
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
22=	Canada	99
23	Andorra	98
24=	Czechia	98
24=	Spain	98
24=	France	98
24=	Australia	98
24=	Denmark	98
24=	USA	98
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information Datasets:

Internet Users Higher is better59
Pos.		201659
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 better60
Pos.		201360
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 better61
Pos.		2017 Ratio61
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 better62
Pos.		202462
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.

8. Spain's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#capitalism #charitability #charity #corruption #culture #economics #equality #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #life_expectancy #morals #peace #politics #religious_violence #social_development #terrorism

Compared to Europe (2020)63
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank63
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
18	France	41.3
19	Poland	41.5
20	Estonia	44.2
21	Spain	45.0
22	Cyprus	47.4
23	Portugal	48.2
24	Italy	48.6
25	Slovakia	48.8
26	Croatia	52.9
	Europe Avg	48.48
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2020)63
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank63
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
26	Poland	41.5
27	Estonia	44.2
28	Qatar	44.8
29	Spain	45.0
30	Japan	45.5
31	Barbados	46.9
32	Costa Rica	47.3
33	Cyprus	47.4
	World Avg	78.12
q=180.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 22 datasets, including multiple decades of data on World Giving Index, resisting corruption, overall happiness, Creativity and Culture, Open Trading, Aid and Development, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, Inequality in Life Expectancy, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

• "Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

National Culture Datasets:

Spain has an adequate long-term record on corruption.

World Giving Index Higher is better64
Pos.		2022 %64
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
99=	Taiwan	34.0
100	Bangladesh	33.0
101=	Tanzania	33.0
102	Spain	32.0
103=	Benin	32.0
103=	Jordan	32.0
103=	France	32.0
103=	Greece	32.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better65
Pos.		2022 Points65
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
33	Lithuania	62.0
34=	Portugal	62.0
35	Cape Verde	60.0
36=	Spain	60.0
36=	St Vincent & Grenadines	60.0
36=	Botswana	60.0
39	Latvia	59.0
40	Qatar	58.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better66
Pos.		2024 Score66
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.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
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.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
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.

Peace Versus Instability Datasets:

Global Peace Index Lower is better67
Pos.		2023 Score67
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.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
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 better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
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 better68
Pos.		2019 Score68
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.

Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets:

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better69
Pos.		201969
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
8	Czechia	3.00
9=	Norway	3.00
9=	S. Korea	3.00
9=	Spain	3.00
12	Netherlands	3.10
13=	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 better70
Pos.		2023 %70
1	Slovakia	24.1%71
2	Slovenia	24.3%71
3	Belarus	24.4%72
	...
68=	Tunisia	33.7%71
68=	Jordan	33.7%73
68=	Switzerland	33.7%72
71	Spain	33.9%71
72=	Romania	33.9%71
73	Tajikistan	34.0%74
74	Sudan	34.2%75
75=	Australia	34.3%76
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#afterlife #belief #buddhism #christianity #god #heaven #hell #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religion_in_spain #religiosity #secularisation #universalism

Religiosity (2018)57
Pos.		Lower is better %57
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
26=	Belarus	21
27	Ireland	22
28=	Kazakhstan	22
28=	Spain	22
30	Slovakia	23
31=	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)77
Pos.		Higher is better %77
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
30=	Belarus	17
31	Greece	16
32=	Iceland	16
33	Spain	15
34=	Israel	15
35	Armenia	14
36=	Lithuania	13
36=	Singapore	13
38	Kazakhstan	12
39=	China	12
39=	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.

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 below₇₈:

Christian	78.6%
Muslim	2.1%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.1%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	19%

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 81.1% 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%₇₉.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Spain₈₀. 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:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?
• Human Rights and Freedom in Spain: 4.3. Freedom of Thought