Switzerland (Swiss Confederation)

Switzerland Swiss Confederation
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	4th best
Capital	Bern
Land Area	40 000km21
Location	Europe
Population	8.5m2
Life Expectancy	83.99yrs (2017)3
GNI	$66 933 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	CH, CHE, 7565
Internet Domain	.ch6
Currency	Franc (CHF)7
Telephone	+418

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

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1. Overview

“The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two world wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Look past the silk-smooth chocolate, cuckoo clocks and yodelling - contemporary Switzerland, land of four languages, is all about epic journeys and sublime experiences. This country begs outdoor escapades with its larger-than-life canvas of hallucinatory landscapes, so grab your boots, leap on board, toot the bike bell and let your spirits rip. Skiing and snowboarding in the winter wonderlands of Graubünden, Bernese Oberland and Central Switzerland are obvious choices. Hiking and biking trails abound in both glacier-encrusted mountain areas and lower down along lost valleys, mythical lakeshores and pea-green vines. Travels are mapped by mountain villages with timber storage barns and chalet farmsteads brightened with red.

The perfect antidote is a surprise set of cities: the capital Bern with its medieval Old Town and world-class modern art, deeply Germanic Basel and its bold architecture, shopping-chic Geneva astraddle Europe´s largest lake, tycoon-magnet Zug (play millionaire over a slice of liqueur-soaked cherry cake) and uber-cool Zürich with its rooftop bars and atypical Swiss street grit.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Switzerland 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
4	Hong Kong	0.952
5	Australia	0.951
6	Denmark	0.948
7	Sweden	0.947
8	Ireland	0.945
9	Germany	0.942
10	Netherlands	0.941
11	Finland	0.940
12	Singapore	0.939
	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
4	Luxembourg	$84 649
5	Ireland	$76 169
6	Switzerland	$66 933
7	USA	$64 765
8	Norway	$64 660
9	Brunei	$64 490
10	Hong Kong	$62 607
11	UAE	$62 574
12	Denmark	$60 365
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	29.1
2	Norway	32.3
3	Sweden	34.1
4	Switzerland	34.4
5	Netherlands	35.2
6	Finland	37.1
7	Austria	38.4
8	Japan	41.8
9	Germany	41.9
10	Ireland	42.1
11	New Zealand	42.1
12	Belgium	42.5
	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. Switzerland's Demographics and Migration

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

Population:

Switzerland's population is predicted to fall to 8 094 000 by 2030. Developed countries with falling populations face a pension's crises, whereby an increasingly ageing population must be cared for by fewer and fewer workers. Economic stability can be maintained by increasing foreign workers from younger countries. This country has a fertility rate of 1.39. 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
	...
96	Austria	8.9m
97	Serbia	8.8m
98	Papua New Guinea	8.6m
99	Switzerland	8.5m
100	Israel	8.4m
101	Togo	7.9m
102	Sierra Leone	7.7m
103	Hong Kong	7.4m
	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
4	Australia	84.5
5	Switzerland	84.0
6	Malta	83.8
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
	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
	...
105=	Norway	1.41
105=	Estonia	1.41
107	Bhutan	1.40
108	Switzerland	1.39
109	St Lucia	1.39
110	Turkmenistan	2.62
111	Bahamas	1.38
112	Albania	1.38
	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
	...
167	S. Korea	37.6
168	Estonia	37.9
169	Belgium	38.1
170	Switzerland	38.3
171	Canada	38.5
172	Croatia	39.7
173	Malta	39.9
174=	France	40.5
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

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

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
13	Jordan	33.3%
14	Nauru	32.7%
15	Lebanon	31.9%
16	Switzerland	29.6%
17	Australia	28.8%
18	Antigua & Barbuda	28.1%
19	Brunei	25.3%
20	Israel	23.6%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
104	Congo, (Brazzaville)	5.6%
105	Togo	5.4%
106	Ivory Coast	5.4%
107	Switzerland	5.4%
108	Malaysia	5.3%
109	Guinea	5.2%
110	Turkmenistan	5.0%
111	Mozambique	5.0%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Switzerland's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#antisemitism #equality #freedom #freethought #gender #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #slavery #switzerland #tolerance #women

Compared to Europe (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
13	France	25.8
14	Ireland	25.9
15	Slovenia	27.8
16	Switzerland	28.2
17	Italy	30.8
18	Portugal	31.3
19	Estonia	36.9
20	Malta	39.7
21	Cyprus	40.5
	Europe Avg	47.37
q=48.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
16	France	25.8
17	Ireland	25.9
18	Slovenia	27.8
19	Switzerland	28.2
20	Italy	30.8
21	Portugal	31.3
22	Costa Rica	31.8
23	Japan	34.5
	World Avg	86.55
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Denmark and Norway₁₉. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, N. Korea and Afghanistan₁₉.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₁₉, whereas the worst are Africa, The Middle East and Asia₁₉.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Press Freedom Higher is better20
Pos.		202520
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
4	Sweden	88.13
5	Finland	87.18
6	Denmark	86.93
7	Ireland	86.92
8	Portugal	84.26
9	Switzerland	83.98
10	Czechia	83.96
11	Germany	83.85
12	Liechtenstein	83.42
	Europe Avg	70.63
	World Avg	54.65
q=179.

Slavery Lower is better21
Pos.		2018 % Victims21
1	Japan	0.03
2=	Canada	0.05
2=	Taiwan	0.05
	...
21	UAE	0.17
22=	Finland	0.17
22=	Austria	0.17
22=	Switzerland	0.17
25	Brazil	0.18
26=	Jordan	0.18
26=	Netherlands	0.18
26=	Norway	0.18
	Europe Avg	0.38
	World Avg	0.65
q=167.

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better22
Pos.		2014 Rank22
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
4	Ireland	4
5	Denmark	5
6=	UK	6
6=	Canada	6
6=	Australia	6
9	Finland	9
10	Netherlands	10
11=	Luxembourg	11
11=	Austria	11
	Europe Avg	33.9
	World Avg	79.7
q=159.

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
34=	Australia	1.0
34=	UK	1.0
34=	Tuvalu	1.0
34=	Switzerland	1.0
34=	Sweden	1.0
42	France	1.5
43=	St Kitts & Nevis	1.5
43=	Belize	1.5
	Europe Avg	2.2
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better23
Pos.		2009 Treaties23
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
50	New Zealand	20
51	Uganda	19
52=	Colombia	19
52=	Switzerland	19
52=	UK	19
52=	Venezuela	19
52=	Lesotho	19
52=	Rwanda	19
	Europe Avg	19.5
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better24
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty24
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
123	Cameroon	11.63
124	Sudan	11.65
125	Kazakhstan	11.67
126	Switzerland	11.71
127	Macedonia	11.71
128	Czechia	11.73
129	Malawi	11.77
130	Maldives	11.85
	Europe Avg	9.09
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Switzerland stated:

“The European Court of Human Rights found a violation of freedom of peaceful assembly. A landmark UN report exposed systemic racism in Switzerland. New legislation on rape was considered but not yet adopted. Several proposals to reform the law on abortion were ongoing. Parliament took a significant but insufficient step towards strengthening climate action. The war in Ukraine highlighted flaws in the current asylum system. A new draft law proposed extensive surveillance powers for the National Intelligence Service.”

"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)₂₅

Gender Equality:

Switzerland is notable for its equality between the sexes, even though women were prevented equal voting and standing rights until quite late.

See:

• "Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree (2007)

Gender Inequality Lower is better26
Pos.		202226
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
4	Sweden	0.02
5	Netherlands	0.03
6	Finland	0.03
7	UAE	0.04
8	Singapore	0.04
9	Iceland	0.04
10	Luxembourg	0.04
11	Belgium	0.05
12	Austria	0.05
	Europe Avg	0.12
	World Avg	0.34
q=166.

Throughout the 1990s to 2010s, Switzerland sat amongst the 10 countries with the least amount of Gender Inequality.

Gender Biases Lower is better27
Pos.		2022 %27
1	Sweden	31.828
2	New Zealand	34.429
3	Australia	37.029
	...
9	USA	50.729
10	Finland	52.530
11	Spain	53.528
12	Switzerland	56.930
13	France	57.230
14	UK	57.730
15	Slovenia	61.128
16	Japan	63.429
	Europe Avg	69.08
	World Avg	83.93
q=88.

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
156=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	1970
156=	Congo, DR	1970
156=	Yemen	1970
159	Switzerland	1971
160	Bangladesh	1972
161=	Bahrain	1973
161=	San Marino	1973
161=	Andorra	1973
	Europe Avg	1895
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

Anti-Semite Opinions Lower is better31
Pos.		2014 %31
1	Laos	0
2	Philippines	3
3	Sweden	4
	...
34=	Mexico	24
35	Haiti	26
36=	Mongolia	26
36=	Switzerland	26
38	Belgium	27
39=	Germany	27
39=	Slovenia	27
41	Austria	28
	Europe Avg	29.9
	World Avg	36.8
q=101.

LGBT Equality Higher is better32
Pos.		2017 Score32
1	Netherlands	103
2	Belgium	90
3	Sweden	86
	...
37=	Monaco	40
37=	Poland	40
37=	Albania	40
37=	Switzerland	40
37=	Serbia	40
37=	Cyprus	40
37=	Italy	40
44	Greece	39
	Europe Avg	46.9
	World Avg	12.6
q=196.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better33
Pos.		202133
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
92	Tuvalu	3.0
93=	Australia	3.0
93=	Lesotho	3.0
93=	Switzerland	3.0
93=	El Salvador	3.0
93=	Serbia	3.0
93=	Cyprus	3.0
93=	Ivory Coast	3.0
	Europe Avg	2.6
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Switzerland's Health

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

Compared to Europe (2025)34
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank34
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
7	France	49.5
8	Sweden	50.8
9	Denmark	52.5
10	Switzerland	53.1
11	Netherlands	55.2
12	Iceland	55.9
13	Channel Islands	58.4
14	Finland	59.8
15	Belgium	61.5
	Europe Avg	86.87
q=51.

Health (2025)34
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank34
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
16	N. Korea	51.3
17	US Virgin Islands	51.9
18	Denmark	52.5
19	Switzerland	53.1
20	Netherlands	55.2
21	Iceland	55.9
22	New Caledonia	57.9
23	Channel Islands	58.4
	World Avg	97.60
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 Man₃₅. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Cook Islands, The Marshall Islands and Niue₃₅.

25 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 Balkans₃₅, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia₃₅.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Switzerland does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Switzerland comes in the best 20 when it comes to its adolescent birth rate₃₆ (amongst the best in Europe), its average life expectancy₁₁ (amongst the best in Europe) and in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₇. It does better than average in terms of its immunizations take-up₃₈. Switzerland does not succeed in everything, however. Switzerland does worse than average for the prevalence of overweight adults₃₉ (yet still one of the lowest in Europe), its fertility rate₁₄, its smoking rate₄₀ and in its alcohol consumption rate₄₁. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 for its suicide rate₄₂. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Switzerland in 2014 and 2016 was the fourth-best in the world, at over 83yrs. On average It improved by +6.4yrs in the 30 years from 1990, although less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Switzerland's peak fertility rate was 2.66 in 1964.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
4	Australia	84.5
5	Switzerland	84.0
6	Malta	83.8
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
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better41
Pos.		2016 Per Capita41
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
167=	UK	11.5
167=	Gabon	11.5
167=	Slovakia	11.5
167=	Switzerland	11.5
171	Austria	11.6
172=	Estonia	11.6
172=	Poland	11.6
174	Russia	11.7
	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
	...
105=	Norway	1.41
105=	Estonia	1.41
107	Bhutan	1.40
108	Switzerland	1.39
109	St Lucia	1.39
110	Turkmenistan	2.62
111	Bahamas	1.38
112	Albania	1.38
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better40
Pos.		201440
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
155	Slovakia	1 618
156	Romania	1 620
157	Tunisia	1 628
158	Switzerland	1 634
159	Serbia	1 644
160	Cyprus	1 688
161	Croatia	1 709
162	Japan	1 713
	Europe Avg	1 648
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate42
Pos.		2013 Per 100k42
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
72	Uruguay	32.3
73	France	33.2
74	Moldova	35.7
75	Switzerland	36.2
76	Croatia	36.4
77	Estonia	37.9
78	Serbia	38.1
79	Finland	39
	Europe Avg	26.99
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
4	UK	4
5	Norway	5
6	Switzerland	6
7	Germany	7
8	Canada	8
9	Netherlands	9
10	USA	10
11	Luxembourg	11
12	Finland	12
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better39
Pos.		1976 %39
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
102=	Turkmenistan	30.4
103	Algeria	30.6
104	Suriname	31.0
105=	Switzerland	31.1
105=	Iran	31.1
107	Panama	31.2
108	Georgia	31.4
109	Portugal	31.5
	Europe Avg	38.2
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better43
Pos.		2022 %43
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
52	Gambia	13.2%
53	Cameroon	13.4%
54	Singapore	13.5%
55	Switzerland	13.7%
56	Denmark	14.3%
57	Thailand	14.5%
58	Sao Tome & Principe	15.0%
59	Cape Verde	15.1%
	Europe Avg	25.9%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better36
Pos.		2022 Per 100036
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
4	Norway	2.2
5	Switzerland	2.2
6	N. Korea	2.4
7	Singapore	2.5
8	Netherlands	2.7
9	Japan	2.8
10	UAE	2.8
11	Liechtenstein	3.0
12	Sweden	3.3
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better38
Pos.		2015 Avg %38
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
62	Botswana	95.4
63	Gambia	95.4
64	Cyprus	95.3
65	Switzerland	95.3
66	Israel	95.2
67=	Grenada	95.2
67=	Slovenia	95.2
67=	Macedonia	95.2
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Switzerland was amongst the 10 countries with the lowest adolescent birth rate; in the 2010s, it successfully maintained the 3rd-lowest rate in the world, indicating strong social stability and a well-ordered culture.

6. Switzerland's Responsibility Towards The Environment

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

Compared to Europe (2025)44
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank44
1	Switzerland	45.0
2	Denmark	50.4
3	Liechtenstein	56.8
4	Portugal	58.0
5	Germany	58.2
6	Spain	59.5
7	Austria	59.6
8	Greece	61.4
9	Italy	63.1
10	Ireland	63.1
11	Cyprus	64.8
12	Hungary	65.8
13	Norway	66.9
	Europe Avg	86.45
q=48.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)44
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank44
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
4	Morocco	46.5
5	Puerto Rico	47.1
6	Burundi	47.8
7	Nepal	47.9
8	India	49.5
9	Philippines	49.6
10	Costa Rica	49.7
11	Denmark	50.4
12	Mali	51.0
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

We have known for a long term that we must protect the environment from habitation destruction, over-exploitation, pollution, and the emissions that cause climate change. In 1998, Greenpeace wrote that "Environment can no longer be meaningfully separated from health, quality of life, democracy, education, economy or trade"₄₅. What countries have been doing the right thing, via legislation and national culture? All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

• " Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Switzerland is 3rd-best in the world in terms of its responsibility towards the environment. This is computed using 21 data sets. Switzerland does the best for its environmental performance₄₆. It comes in the best 20 in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment and in energy to GDP efficiency₄₇ (the lowest in Europe). It does better than average in terms of its score on the Green Future Index₄₈ (but bad for Europe) and in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₉. Switzerland still has work to do. Switzerland does worse than average in reducing annual meat consumption per person₅₀.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better49
Pos.		Total49
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
43	Hungary	6.8%
44	India	6.7%
45	Costa Rica	6.2%
46	Switzerland	6.0%
47	Belarus	5.9%
48	Latvia	5.2%
49	Tunisia	5.2%
50	Swaziland	5.1%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better46
Pos.		201846
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
4	Malta	80.9
5	Sweden	80.5
6	UK	79.9
7	Luxembourg	79.1
8	Austria	79.0
9	Ireland	78.8
10	Finland	78.6
11	Iceland	78.6
12	Spain	78.4
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better47
Pos.		2022 Avg47
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
16	Nigeria	0.49
17	Myanmar (Burma)	0.53
18	Gabon	0.55
19	Switzerland	0.55
20	Nepal	0.55
21	Burkina Faso	0.55
22	Gambia	0.55
23	Philippines	0.57
	Europe Avg	1.25
	World Avg	1.23
q=165.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
4	Latvia	81%
5	Estonia	80%
6	Ukraine	80%
7	Finland	79%
8	Georgia	79%
9	Switzerland	78%
10	Nigeria	78%
11	Germany	76%
12	Belarus	76%
	Europe Avg	62.7%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197.

Switzerland was one of the 19 countries that signed the Basel Convention on its very first day and one of 18 countries who enacted Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in its first year (1975). It was also amongst the first batch of countries who signed the Montreal Protocol on protecting the ozone layer in 1988 whilst most others delayed until subsequent years.

Meat Consumption Lower is better50
Pos.		2021 kg50
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
120	Sweden	66.9
121	Romania	67.1
122	Malta	67.8
123	Switzerland	68.0
124	Micronesia	70.4
125	Denmark	70.5
126	Seychelles	70.6
127	S. Africa	71.6
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Switzerland was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment, although the rate during that decade was reducing.₅₀

Green Future Index Higher is better48
Pos.		2023 Score48
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
17	Greece	5.6
18	Portugal	5.5
19	USA	5.4
20=	Switzerland	5.4
20=	Poland	5.4
22	Austria	5.4
23	Bulgaria	5.3
24	Costa Rica	5.3
	Europe Avg	5.6
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

7. Switzerland's Modernity and Learning

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

Compared to Europe (2020)51
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank51
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
4	Iceland	15.0
5	Sweden	15.8
6	Germany	16.3
7	Switzerland	17.4
8	Estonia	17.9
9	Norway	18.3
10	UK	19.4
11	Netherlands	19.5
12	Ireland	19.8
13	Austria	19.9
	Europe Avg	39.81
q=45.

Modernity & Learning (2020)51
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank51
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
4	Iceland	15.0
5	New Zealand	15.2
6	Sweden	15.8
7	Germany	16.3
8	Australia	16.6
9	Switzerland	17.4
10	Estonia	17.9
11	Norway	18.3
12	UK	19.4
	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 Denmark₅₂. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone₅₂. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₃.

“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)₅₄

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 Europe₅₂, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₅₂.

For more, see:

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

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2955
2	Israel	4.1155
3	Japan	3.5855
4	Finland	3.1755
5	Sweden	3.1655
6	Denmark	3.0555
7	Taiwan	3.0155
8	Austria	3.0056
9	Switzerland	2.9657
10	Germany	2.8455
11	USA	2.7458
12	Belgium	2.4655
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better59
Pos.		201859
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
16	Hungary	97.2%
17	Palau	97.1%
18	New Zealand	96.9%
19	Switzerland	96.5%
20	Moldova	96.4%
21	Germany	96.3%
22	Russia	95.9%
23	Croatia	95.7%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better60
Pos.		2021 Years60
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
24	Costa Rica	16.5
25	Singapore	16.5
26	S. Korea	16.5
27	Switzerland	16.5
28	Canada	16.4
29	Bahrain	16.3
30	Lithuania	16.3
31	USA	16.3
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
8	Netherlands	8
9	Belgium	9
10	Slovenia	10
11	Switzerland	11
12	New Zealand	12
13	Latvia	13
14	Bulgaria	14
15	Iceland	15
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better61
Pos.		2015 Score61
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
12=	Slovenia	1528
13	Germany	1524
14=	Netherlands	1524
15	Switzerland	1519
16	New Zealand	1517
17=	Norway	1513
17=	Denmark	1513
19	Poland	1511
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

Religiosity Lower is better62
Pos.		2018 %62
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
4=	Switzerland	9
4=	Denmark	9
6	Germany	10
7=	UK	10
7=	Sweden	10
7=	Japan	10
7=	Finland	10
11	Latvia	11
12=	France	11
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better63
Pos.		200663
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
4=	Japan	105
4=	Taiwan	105
4=	China	105
7	Italy	102
8=	Iceland	101
8=	Switzerland	101
8=	Mongolia	101
11	Netherlands	100
12=	Norway	100
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better64
Pos.		201664
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
23	Czechia	88%
24	Germany	88%
25	Aruba	88%
26	Switzerland	87%
27	France	86%
28	S. Korea	86%
29	Australia	85%
30	Bahamas	85%
	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
	...
19	Romania	0.52
20	Turkey	0.52
21	Poland	0.55
22	Switzerland	0.55
23	S. Korea	0.56
24	Australia	0.63
25	Libya	0.63
26	Qatar	0.65
	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
4	USA	35.0
5	Greece	33.5
6	Luxembourg	32.4
7	India	26.8
8	Portugal	26.6
9	Ireland	26.1
10	UK	24.7
11	Japan	22.1
12	France	18.8
	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%
	...
8	Luxembourg	70.0%
9	UK	69.3%
10	Estonia	69.3%
11	Switzerland	69.0%
12	Sweden	68.7%
13	Japan	68.3%
14	Singapore	67.9%
15	Lithuania	67.8%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. Switzerland's Culture, Peace and Inequality

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

Compared to Europe (2020)68
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank68
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
4	Finland	16.1
5	Sweden	19.6
6	Austria	20.7
7	Switzerland	21.2
8	Iceland	22.3
9	Ireland	22.8
10	Germany	24.4
11	Luxembourg	25.7
12	Belgium	31.3
13	UK	31.8
	Europe Avg	48.48
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2020)68
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank68
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
4	New Zealand	15.5
5	Finland	16.1
6	Sweden	19.6
7	Singapore	20.2
8	Austria	20.7
9	Switzerland	21.2
10	Iceland	22.3
11	Ireland	22.8
12	Canada	23.1
	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:

World Giving Index Higher is better69
Pos.		2022 %69
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
73=	Uzbekistan	38.0
73=	Chile	38.0
73=	Mali	38.0
76	Switzerland	37.0
77=	Finland	37.0
77=	Hong Kong	37.0
77=	Cameroon	37.0
77=	Iraq	37.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better70
Pos.		2022 Points70
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
4	Norway	84.0
5=	Singapore	83.0
5=	Sweden	83.0
7	Switzerland	82.0
8	Netherlands	80.0
9	Germany	79.0
10=	Ireland	77.0
10=	Luxembourg	77.0
12	Hong Kong	76.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

In the 1990s, Switzerland had the 10th-best average result per year on the Corruption Perception Index; it has consistently done well. In the 2010s had the 5th-best average score throughout that decade.

Happiness Higher is better71
Pos.		2024 Score71
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
10	Mexico	7.0
11	Australia	7.0
12	New Zealand	7.0
13	Switzerland	6.9
14	Belgium	6.9
15	Ireland	6.9
16	Lithuania	6.8
17	Austria	6.8
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

In 2014, after steady improvements, Switzerland temporarily became the happiest country in the world, finally beaming over Denmark and Norway.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
4	Switzerland	4
5	Sweden	5
6	Denmark	6
7	Austria	7
8	Ireland	8
9	Czechia	9
10	Luxembourg	10
11	UK	11
12	Portugal	12
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
4	Netherlands	4
5	Switzerland	5
6	Serbia	6
7	Belgium	7
8	Norway	8
9	Finland	9
10	Croatia	10
11	Georgia	11
12	Philippines	12
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Peace Versus Instability:

Global Peace Index Lower is better72
Pos.		2023 Score72
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
7	Portugal	1.33
8	Slovenia	1.33
9	Japan	1.34
10	Switzerland	1.34
11	Canada	1.35
12	Czechia	1.38
13	Finland	1.40
14	Croatia	1.45
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
41	Canada	41
42	Azerbaijan	42
43	Senegal	43
44	Switzerland	44
45	Bolivia	45
46	Burkina Faso	46
47	Philippines	47
48	UK	48
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
7	Norway	7
8	Finland	8
9	Denmark	9
10	Switzerland	10
11	Canada	11
12	UK	12
13	Belgium	13
14	Italy	14
	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
	...
30	Uruguay	0.17
31	Dominican Rep.	0.18
32	Hungary	0.18
33	Switzerland	0.19
34	Latvia	0.23
35	S. Korea	0.30
36	Macedonia	0.30
37	Zambia	0.31
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

Economic Inequality and Poverty:

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better74
Pos.		201974
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
16	Ireland	3.40
17	Portugal	3.50
18=	Greece	3.50
18=	Switzerland	3.50
20	Belgium	3.60
21=	Estonia	3.60
21=	Montenegro	3.60
21=	Cyprus	3.60
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better75
Pos.		2023 %75
1	Slovakia	24.1%76
2	Slovenia	24.3%76
3	Belarus	24.4%77
	...
67	Palestine	33.7%78
68=	Tunisia	33.7%76
68=	Jordan	33.7%79
68=	Switzerland	33.7%77
71	Spain	33.9%76
72=	Romania	33.9%76
73	Tajikistan	34.0%80
74	Sudan	34.2%81
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#atheism #belief #buddhism #catholicism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation #switzerland

Religiosity (2018)62
Pos.		Lower is better %62
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
4=	Switzerland	9
4=	Denmark	9
6	Germany	10
7=	UK	10
7=	Sweden	10
7=	Japan	10
7=	Finland	10
11	Latvia	11
12=	France	11
12=	Belgium	11
14	Austria	12
15	Hungary	14
16	Albania	15
17=	Lithuania	16
17=	S. Korea	16
17=	Russia	16
20	Australia	18
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)82
Pos.		Higher is better %82
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
26=	Mongolia	20
27	Austria	18
28=	Slovakia	17
28=	Switzerland	17
28=	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
	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 below₈₃:

Christian	81.3%
Muslim	5.5%
Hindu	0.4%
Buddhist	0.4%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.3%
Unaffiliated	11.9%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 87.1% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (17%). This is due to the so-called 'Census Effect', whereby many put down a religion for cultural reasons rather than because it reflects their beliefs. In highly Christian countries, as many as half of those who say they're a Christian lack any connection to a Church, and do not hold Christian beliefs (such as believing in God!).

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 88% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 9% 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: Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Muslim 4.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, other Christian 0.4%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none 11.1% (2000 census)₈₄.

Switzerland has a long history of religious tolerance₈₅. But things still need improving in several areas. The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)₈₆, in which they document bias and prejudice at the national level that is based on religion, belief and/or lack of belief. Their entry for Switzerland states:

“The constitution and other laws and policies protect freedom of religion or belief. However, some individual cantons still pursue discriminatory policies based on the locally dominant religion (Protestant or Catholic).

Most of the 26 cantons (with the exception of Geneva and Neuchatel, where church and state are separate) financially support at least one of the three traditional religious communities - Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, or Protestant - with funds collected through a church tax. Each canton observes its own regulations regarding the relationship between church and state. In some cantons the church tax is voluntary, while in others an individual who chooses not to contribute to the church tax may have to leave the church formally. In some cantons private companies are unable to avoid payment of the church tax. Some cantons also allow the church tax to be collected on behalf of the Jewish community. Islamic and other nontraditional religious and atheist groups are excluded from these benefits.

In October 2010, Valentin Abgottspon was dismissed from his job as teacher at a public school in the canton of Valais after he raised concerns about the state's promotion of Catholicism in public schools. Article 3 of the canton's education law states that schools should prepare students for their duties "as human beings and Christians". Abgottspon was told he was fired for removing the crucifix from the classrooms in the public school at which he taught.

”

"Freedom of Thought" by IHEU (2012)₈₇

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?