Thailand (Kingdom of Thailand)

Thailand Kingdom of Thailand
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	52nd best
Capital	Bangkok
Land Area	510 890km21
Location	Asia
Population	69.4m2
Life Expectancy	78.72yrs (2017)3
GNI	$17 030 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	TH, THA, 7645
Internet Domain	.th6
Currency	Baht (THB)7
Telephone	+668

1. Overview
2. Thailand National and Social Development
3. Thailand's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Thailand's Health
   1. Health Datasets
   2. Children's Health Datasets
6. Thailand's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Thailand's Modernity and Learning
   1. Modernity Datasets
   2. Education Datasets
   3. Technology and Information Datasets
8. Thailand's Culture, Peace and Inequality
   1. National Culture Datasets
   2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets
   3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets
9. Religion and Beliefs
10. Links

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1. Overview

“A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US treaty ally in 1954 after sending troops to Korea and later fighting alongside the United States in Vietnam. Thailand since 2005 has experienced several rounds of political turmoil including a military coup in 2006 that ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat, followed by large-scale street protests by competing political factions in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Demonstrations in 2010 culminated with clashes between security forces and pro-THAKSIN protesters, elements of which were armed, and resulted in at least 92 deaths and an estimated $1.5 billion in arson-related property losses. THAKSIN's youngest sister, YINGLAK Chinnawat, in 2011 led the Puea Thai Party to an electoral win and assumed control of the government. YINGLAK's leadership was almost immediately challenged by historic flooding in late 2011 that had large swathes of the country underwater and threatened to inundate Bangkok itself. Throughout 2012 the Puea Thai-led government struggled with the opposition Democrat Party to fulfill some of its main election promises, including constitutional reform and political reconciliation. Since January 2004, thousands have been killed and wounded in violence associated with the ethno-nationalist insurgency in Thailand's southern Malay-Muslim majority provinces.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Friendly and fun-loving, exotic and tropical, cultured and historic, Thailand radiates a golden hue from its gaudy temples and tropical beaches to the ever-comforting Thai smile. Lustrous Thailand radiates a hospitality that makes it one of the most accessibly exotic destinations on earth. Its natural landscape is part of the allure: the blonde beaches are lapped at by cerulean seas, while the northern mountains cascade into the misty horizon. In between are emerald-coloured rice fields and busy, prosperous cities built around sacred temples. It is a bountiful land where the markets are piled high with pyramids of colourful fruits and the rót khen (vendor cart) is an integral piece of a city´s infrastructure.

You´ll suffer few travelling hardships, save for a few pushy touts, in this land of comfort and convenience. Bangkok reigns as an Asian superstar, Chiang Mai excels in liveability and the tropical islands are up all night to party. It is relatively cheap to hop around by plane and the kingdom provides a gateway to everywhere else in the region. Though the fiery curries and simple stir-fries might delay your departure.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

“Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, in his concurrent position as NCPO chairman, [wields] absolute power without oversight or accountability. The 2017 constitution, promulgated in March, endorses the continuance of this power, thereby guaranteeing that both the NCPO and officials operating under its orders cannot be held accountable for their rights violations. An unelected Senate and other elements of the new constitution lay the foundations for prolonged military control even if the junta fulfills its promise to hold elections in November 2018.”

"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₁₁

2. Thailand National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)12
Pos.		Higher is better Value12
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
63=	Mauritius	0.802
63=	Georgia	0.802
63=	Serbia	0.802
66	Thailand	0.800
67	Albania	0.796
68=	Grenada	0.795
68=	Bulgaria	0.795
70	Barbados	0.790
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)12
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $12
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
70	Mexico	$17 896
71	Nauru	$17 730
72	China	$17 504
73	Thailand	$17 030
74	Antigua & Barbuda	$16 792
75	Botswana	$16 198
76	Macedonia	$15 918
77	Maldives	$15 448
	Asia Avg	$22 215
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index13
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank13
1	Denmark	26.9
2	Norway	29.1
3	Sweden	29.9
	...
49	Romania	69.2
50	Montenegro	69.4
51	Brazil	69.7
52	Thailand	69.8
53	Serbia	73.1
54	Sri Lanka	74.0
55	Malaysia	74.1
56	Albania	75.5
	Asia Avg	92.0
	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.

3. Thailand's Demographics and Migration

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

Population Datasets:

Thailand's population is predicted to rise to 73.32 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 1.32. 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 account₁₄. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₅

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
17	Germany	83.1m
18	Turkey	82.3m
19	Iran	81.8m
20	Thailand	69.4m
21	UK	67.1m
22	France	65.0m
23	Italy	60.6m
24	S. Africa	57.8m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better12
Pos.		2021 Years12
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
35	Qatar	79.3
36	Chile	78.9
37	Bahrain	78.8
38	Thailand	78.7
39	UAE	78.7
40	Kuwait	78.7
41	Antigua & Barbuda	78.5
42	China	78.2
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best16
Pos.		202216
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
117	Marshall Islands	2.67
118=	Mauritius	1.32
118=	Finland	1.32
120	Thailand	1.32
121	Cyprus	1.31
122	Luxembourg	1.31
123=	Curaço	1.30
123=	Bermuda	1.30
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better17
Pos.		2016 Per 10017
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
135	Macedonia	27.7
136	Luxembourg	28.3
137	Armenia	28.7
138=	Thailand	29.2
138=	Ireland	29.2
140	Russia	29.5
141	Georgia	29.7
142	Montenegro	30.0
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

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

Migration Datasets:

Immigrants18
Pos.		2017 %18
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
79	Marshall Islands	6.2%
80	Turkey	6.0%
81	Syria	5.5%
82	Thailand	5.2%
83	Hungary	5.2%
84	Palestine	5.2%
85	Argentina	4.9%
86	Panama	4.7%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants19
Pos.		2010 %19
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
167	Malawi	1.4%
168	Congo, DR	1.3%
169	N. Korea	1.3%
170	Thailand	1.2%
171	UAE	1.2%
172	Mongolia	1.2%
173	Kenya	1.1%
174	Indonesia	1.1%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#antisemitism #equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #thailand #thailand_antisemitism #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)20
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank20
1	Sweden	7.8
2	Netherlands	8.7
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
77	Kiribati	81.6
78	Philippines	81.7
79	Seychelles	82.0
80	Thailand	83.0
81	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	83.5
82	Paraguay	83.7
	Asia Avg	103.00
	World Avg	89.80
q=199.

Thailand is generally poor at ensuring human rights and freedom compared to the rest of the world. Thailand comes in the best 20 when it comes to its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₁. It does better than average in opposing gender inequality₂₂, LGBT equality in the 2020s₂₃ and in supporting press freedom₂₄. But, there's bad news too. Thailand does worse than average in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₅ (still good for Asia), commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₆ (still high for Asia), combatting modern slavery₂₇, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₈, its average Freedom in the World rating, its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₉ and in freethought₃₀. The rich and the poor live completely different lives; just 1% of the popuation draws 20% of the country's entire income₃₁. Military Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha wields "absolute power without oversight or accountability" and he and his officials "cannot be held accountable for their rights violations"₁₁. Civil rights are suffering and critics of the government are being suppressed and silenced and some protests have been violently dispersed. Thailand's fishing industry has become infamous for using modern slavery techniques to acquire and keep workers via human trafficking and debt bondage techniques₃₂.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Thailand

5. Thailand's Health

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

Compared to Asia (2025)33
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank33
1	Japan	37.3
2	Singapore	41.1
3	S. Korea	50.5
	...
9	Israel	65.0
10	Cyprus	65.8
11	N. Korea	68.8
12	Thailand	69.1
13	Bahrain	70.0
14	Kuwait	71.1
15	Qatar	76.6
16	UAE	77.5
17	Vietnam	77.7
	Asia Avg	80.90
q=50.

Health (2025)33
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank33
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Japan	37.3
	...
41	Greece	68.3
42	N. Korea	68.8
43	Poland	68.8
44	Thailand	69.1
45	Hungary	69.2
46	British Virgin Islands	69.8
47	Bahrain	70.0
48	Slovakia	70.7
	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 Japan₃₄. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan₃₄.

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 Mediterranean₃₄, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₃₄.

For more, see:

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

5.1. Health Datasets

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #smoking #suicide #thailand #vaccines

Thailand does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Thailand does better than average for delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015₃₅, the prevalence of overweight adults₃₆, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₇, its average life expectancy₁₂, its suicide rate₃₈, childhood mortality in the 2020s₃₉, its smoking rate₄₀, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s₄₁ and in its adolescent birth rate₄₂ (but high for Asia). But, things could still be better. Thailand does worse than average when it comes to its fertility rate₁₆ and in its alcohol consumption rate₄₃. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. Life expectancy in Thailand improved by +8.5yrs in the 30 years from 1990, just over the global average improvement of +7.9yrs. Thailand is amongst only 41 countries who have seen their fertility rate drop by more than 4 since the 1960s. Its peak fertility rate was 6.29 in 1963.

Life Expectancy Higher is better12
Pos.		2021 Years12
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
35	Qatar	79.3
36	Chile	78.9
37	Bahrain	78.8
38	Thailand	78.7
39	UAE	78.7
40	Kuwait	78.7
41	Antigua & Barbuda	78.5
42	China	78.2
	Asia Avg	73.48
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better43
Pos.		2016 Per Capita43
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
122=	Burkina Faso	8.2
122=	St Vincent & Grenadines	8.2
122=	Dominica	8.2
125	Thailand	8.3
126=	Ivory Coast	8.4
126=	Botswana	8.4
126=	Trinidad & Tobago	8.4
126=	Vietnam	8.4
	Asia Avg	3.9
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best16
Pos.		202216
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
117	Marshall Islands	2.67
118=	Mauritius	1.32
118=	Finland	1.32
120	Thailand	1.32
121	Cyprus	1.31
122	Luxembourg	1.31
123=	Curaço	1.30
123=	Bermuda	1.30
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better40
Pos.		Total %40
1	Nigeria	3.3%
2	Ghana	3.4%
3	Panama	5.2%
	...
75=	Botswana	18.8%
75=	Bhutan	18.8%
77	Pakistan	19.0%
78	Thailand	19.2%
79	Japan	19.2%
80	Iraq	19.2%
81	Ireland	19.3%
82	Sri Lanka	19.5%
	Asia Avg	22.8%
	World Avg	20.0%
q=165. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Suicide Rate38
Pos.		2013 Per 100k38
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
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
46	Kyrgyzstan	17.7
47	Netherlands	18.6
	Asia Avg	19.50
	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
	...
34	Macedonia	34
35	India	35
36	Fiji	36
37	Thailand	37
38	Pakistan	38
39	Portugal	39
40	Brazil	40
41	Iceland	41
	Asia Avg	64.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better36
Pos.		1976 %36
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
27	Kenya	8.8
28=	Guinea-Bissau	8.9
28=	Mali	8.9
28=	Thailand	8.9
31	Tanzania	9.0
32=	Philippines	9.1
32=	Guinea	9.1
34=	Congo, DR	9.2
	Asia Avg	23.1
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better44
Pos.		2022 %44
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
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%
60	Namibia	15.3%
61	Sudan	15.5%
	Asia Avg	21.1%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

5.2. Children's Health Datasets

#children's_health #health #parenting #population #vaccines

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better42
Pos.		2022 Per 100042
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
83	Moldova	27.2
84	Iran	29.7
85	Georgia	29.7
86	Thailand	31.6
87	Tuvalu	31.7
88	Jamaica	32.0
89	Grenada	32.1
90	Rwanda	32.2
	Asia Avg	25.9
	World Avg	43.8
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better41
Pos.		Total Avg %41
1=	Luxembourg	99.0
1=	Oman	99.0
1=	Niue	99.0
	...
82	Bermuda	94.8
83=	Rwanda	94.8
83=	UAE	94.8
85=	Thailand	94.6
85=	Trinidad & Tobago	94.6
85=	Armenia	94.6
88	Kiribati	94.5
89=	Iceland	94.4
	Asia Avg	90.6
	World Avg	88.5
q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) Higher is better35
Pos.		2015 Avg %35
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
17	Antigua & Barbuda	98.0
18	Cuba	97.9
19	Belgium	97.8
20	Thailand	97.8
21=	Mauritius	97.6
21=	Fiji	97.6
23	Kuwait	97.5
24	Morocco	97.5
	Asia Avg	90.5
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better39
Pos.		Total Per 100039
1	San Marino	2.11
2	Finland	2.59
3	Luxembourg	2.60
	...
68	China	11.43
69	Tonga	12.05
70=	Argentina	12.18
70=	Thailand	12.18
72	Barbados	12.81
73	Lebanon	13.05
74	Kazakhstan	13.65
75	Turkey	13.98
	Asia Avg	23.58
	World Avg	32.19
q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

6. Thailand's Responsibility Towards The Environment

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

Compared to Asia (2025)45
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank45
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Nepal	47.9
3	India	49.5
4	Philippines	49.6
5	Japan	57.4
6	Thailand	59.5
7	Vietnam	60.6
8	Indonesia	61.9
9	Jordan	63.1
10	Hong Kong	64.6
11	Cyprus	64.8
12	Bangladesh	69.7
13	Maldives	70.5
	Asia Avg	86.44
q=51.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)45
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank45
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
23	Mauritius	58.1
24	Germany	58.2
25	Ghana	58.6
26	Thailand	59.5
27	Spain	59.5
28	Austria	59.6
29	Tunisia	60.1
30	Vietnam	60.6
	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"₄₆. 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).

Thailand ranks 26th in the world when it comes to its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is formulated from 21 data sets. Thailand does better than average in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₇, reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₈, its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₉ and in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. Thailand still has work to do. Thailand does worse than average in its score on the Green Future Index₅₀, energy to GDP efficiency₅₁ and in its environmental performance₅₂.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better49
Pos.		Total49
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
48	Latvia	5.2%
49	Tunisia	5.2%
50	Swaziland	5.1%
51	Thailand	4.7%
52	Poland	4.6%
53	Macedonia	4.6%
54	Palau	4.6%
55	Bhutan	4.5%
	Asia Avg	3.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better52
Pos.		201852
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
118	Grenada	50.9
119	Tanzania	50.8
120	China	50.7
121	Thailand	49.9
122	Micronesia	49.8
123	Libya	49.8
124	Ghana	49.7
125	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	49.5
	Asia Avg	54.5
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better51
Pos.		2022 Avg51
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
109	Iraq	1.24
110	Australia	1.25
111	Cuba	1.25
112	Thailand	1.26
113	Slovakia	1.26
114	Sweden	1.30
115	USA	1.36
116	Czechia	1.36
	Asia Avg	1.50
	World Avg	1.23
q=165. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
82	Tanzania	62%
83	Russia	62%
84	Togo	61%
85	Thailand	61%
86	Zambia	61%
87	Indonesia	61%
88	Maldives	61%
89	Bahamas	60%
	Asia Avg	55.4%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better47
Pos.		2011 %47
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
38	Belize	50.6%
39	Burkina Faso	50.5%
40	Dominican Rep.	50.2%
41	Thailand	49.9%
42	Italy	49.6%
43	Vietnam	49.1%
44	Honduras	48.1%
45	Iran	47.9%
	Asia Avg	37.9%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better48
Pos.		2021 kg48
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
45	Ghana	20.9
46	Haiti	21.6
47	Lesotho	21.7
48	Thailand	26.0
49	Swaziland	27.1
50	Malawi	27.4
51	Tunisia	27.8
52	Sao Tome & Principe	28.3
	Asia Avg	46.7
	World Avg	52.5
q=185. Also scored for 2010s.

Green Future Index Higher is better50
Pos.		2023 Score50
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
52	Ecuador	4.1
53=	Kazakhstan	4.1
53=	Vietnam	4.1
55	Thailand	4.1
56	Saudi Arabia	4.1
57	Kuwait	4.1
58	Ethiopia	4.0
59	Angola	4.0
	Asia Avg	4.3
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

7. Thailand's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #maths #metric #modernity #politics #research #science #technology #the_internet

Compared to Asia (2025)53
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank53
1	Taiwan	25.4
2	S. Korea	25.5
3	Japan	26.8
	...
16	Armenia	58.9
17	Azerbaijan	60.6
18	China	64.1
19	Thailand	66.0
20	Turkmenistan	66.8
21	Vietnam	68.1
22	Lebanon	68.7
23	Tajikistan	70.5
24	Philippines	74.5
	Asia Avg	83.04
q=51.

Modernity & Learning (2025)53
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank53
1	Vatican City	1.0
2	Finland	4.8
3	Belgium	8.5
	...
80=	Panama	65.7
80=	Dominican Rep.	65.7
82	Albania	65.8
83	Thailand	66.0
84	Venezuela	66.3
85	Turkmenistan	66.8
86	Mauritius	67.2
87	Vietnam	68.1
	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 Belgium₅₄. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia₅₄. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₅.

“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)₅₆

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 Europe₅₄, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₅₄.

For more, see:

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

7.1. Modernity Datasets

#intelligence #metric #research #science

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2957
2	Israel	4.1157
3	Japan	3.5857
	...
66=	Puerto Rico	0.4458
67	Jordan	0.4359
68	Mozambique	0.4260
69	Thailand	0.3961
70=	Tanzania	0.3860
70=	Romania	0.3857
70=	Montenegro	0.3858
70=	Chile	0.3857
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
104	Swaziland	104
105	Albania	105
106	Madagascar	106
107	Thailand	107
108	Yemen	108
109	Brazil	109
110	Nicaragua	110
111	Togo	111
	Asia Avg	97.1
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better62
Pos.		2025 %62
1=	Slovakia	100
1=	Poland	100
1=	Portugal	100
	...
95=	Suriname	95
95=	Turkey	95
95=	Tunisia	95
95=	Thailand	95
95=	Kazakhstan	95
95=	Israel	95
101=	Iraq	90
101=	Madagascar	90
	Asia Avg	90
	World Avg	92
q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Thailand officially adopted metric in 1946₆₃. Progression:

• 1960 (60%): Metric official; traditional units common informally.
• 1970 (75%): Standardization in commerce/education.
• 1980 (90%): Metric dominant across sectors.
• 2000 (95%).
• 2025 (95%).

IQ Higher is better64
Pos.		200664
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
49=	Malaysia	92
49=	Greece	92
51=	Brunei	91
51=	Thailand	91
51=	Lithuania	91
51=	Cambodia	91
55=	Albania	90
55=	Croatia	90
	Asia Avg	90.4
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

7.2. Education Datasets

#education #english #maths #science

Secondary Education Higher is better65
Pos.		201865
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
118	Maldives	47.1%
119	Bangladesh	46.7%
120	St Lucia	46.0%
121	Thailand	44.8%
122	Zambia	44.3%
123	El Salvador	42.8%
124	Namibia	41.1%
125	Syria	41.0%
	Asia Avg	66.0%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better66
Pos.		2021 Years66
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
38	Poland	16.0
39	Austria	16.0
40	Estonia	15.9
41	Thailand	15.9
42	France	15.8
43	Palau	15.8
44	Russia	15.8
45	Kazakhstan	15.8
	Asia Avg	13.5
	World Avg	13.5
q=193. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better67
Pos.		2015 Score67
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
54=	Costa Rica	1247
54=	Mexico	1247
56=	Albania	1245
56=	Thailand	1245
58	Colombia	1231
59	Qatar	1222
60	Georgia	1216
61	Jordan	1197
	Asia Avg	1398
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

7.3. Technology and Information Datasets

#modernity #politics #technology #the_internet

Internet Users Higher is better68
Pos.		201668
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
113	Philippines	44%
114	Jamaica	43%
115	Ecuador	43%
116	Thailand	43%
117=	Mauritius	43%
117=	Cape Verde	43%
119	Suriname	42%
120	Bolivia	41%
	Asia Avg	48.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

Freedom On The Internet Lower is better69
Pos.		201269
1	Estonia	10
2	USA	12
3	Germany	15
	...
32	Sri Lanka	55
33	Kazakhstan	58
34	Egypt	59
35	Thailand	61
36	Pakistan	63
37	Belarus	69
38=	Bahrain	71
38=	Saudi Arabia	71
	Asia Avg	56.6
	World Avg	46.7
q=47.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better70
Pos.		2017 Ratio70
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
35	Singapore	4.0
36	Sweden	3.8
37	Poland	3.6
38	Thailand	3.3
39	Denmark	3.1
40	Bosnia & Herzegovina	3.1
41	Sri Lanka	2.9
42	Latvia	2.2
	Asia Avg	2.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better71
Pos.		202471
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
48	Serbia	53.5%
49	Turkey	52.2%
50	Russia	52.1%
51	Thailand	51.4%
52	Bahrain	51.1%
53	Brazil	50.9%
54	Peru	49.9%
55	Colombia	49.8%
	Asia Avg	46.4%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. Thailand's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#Asia #buddhism #capitalism #charitability #charity #corruption #economics #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #indonesia #inequality #internationalism #life_expectancy #morals #Myanmar #peace #politics #poverty #religious_violence #social_development #terrorism #Thailand #Theravada_Buddhism

8.1. National Culture Datasets

#Asia #buddhism #charitability #charity #corruption #happiness #indonesia #internationalism #morals #Myanmar #politics #Thailand #Theravada_Buddhism

The region of south-east Asia hosts some of the kindest people in the world. Myanmar and Thailand often top the World Giving Index₇₂, which the Charities Aid Foundation attributes to the teachings and values of Theravada Buddhism₇₂. Likewise, in Indonesia, giving is strongly encouraged by the Islamic doctrine of zakat, causing that country to give to charity at three times the global average rate.

World Giving Index Higher is better73
Pos.		2022 %73
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
11=	Ireland	49.0
12=	Czechia	48.0
12=	Nigeria	48.0
12=	Thailand	48.0
15=	Guinea	47.0
15=	UK	47.0
15=	Brazil	47.0
15=	UAE	47.0
	Asia Avg	37.9
	World Avg	39.6
q=125. Also scored for 2010s.

Corruption Higher is better74
Pos.		2022 Points74
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
106=	Albania	36.0
106=	Ecuador	36.0
106=	Kazakhstan	36.0
106=	Thailand	36.0
110=	Gambia	34.0
110=	Sierra Leone	34.0
110=	Malawi	34.0
110=	Indonesia	34.0
	Asia Avg	39.98
	World Avg	42.98
q=180. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Happiness Higher is better75
Pos.		2024 Score75
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
46	Vietnam	6.4
47	Nicaragua	6.3
48	Malta	6.3
49	Thailand	6.2
50	Slovakia	6.2
51	Latvia	6.2
52	Oman	6.2
53	Uzbekistan	6.2
	Asia Avg	5.41
	World Avg	5.58
q=147. Also scored for 2010s.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
51	Chile	51
52	Bahamas	52
53	UAE	53
54	Thailand	54
55	Macedonia	55
56	Mauritania	56
57	India	57
58	Philippines	58
	Asia Avg	99.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better76
Pos.		Total Q76
1	Singapore	192.2
2	Japan	192.0
3	S. Korea	190.7
	...
107	Romania	82.7
108	Saudi Arabia	82.3
109	Taiwan	80.8
110	Thailand	79.5
111	Bolivia	79.3
112	Namibia	78.7
113	Belarus	78.5
114	Suriname	77.8
	Asia Avg	85.1
	World Avg	108.8
q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
106	Bolivia	106
107	Ghana	107
108	Mexico	108
109	Thailand	109
110	Ecuador	110
111	Malawi	111
112	Laos	112
113	China	113
	Asia Avg	86.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

8.2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better77
Pos.		2023 Score77
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
89=	Rwanda	2.05
90	Ivory Coast	2.05
91	Tanzania	2.06
92	Thailand	2.06
93	Gabon	2.07
94	Georgia	2.07
95	Algeria	2.09
96=	Papua New Guinea	2.10
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.07
q=163. Also scored for 2010s.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
18	Japan	18
19	Chile	19
20	Kazakhstan	20
21	Thailand	21
22	Algeria	22
23	Guatemala	23
24	Ecuador	24
25	Madagascar	25
	Asia Avg	76.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
20	Luxembourg	20
21	Ireland	21
22	Costa Rica	22
23	Thailand	23
24	Poland	24
25	S. Africa	25
26	Chile	26
27	Panama	27
	Asia Avg	92.2
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better78
Pos.		2019 Score78
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
130	Kenya	5.76
131	Sudan	5.81
132	Colombia	5.91
133	Thailand	6.03
134	S. Sudan	6.32
135	Turkey	6.53
136	Cameroon	6.62
137	Central African Rep.	6.62
	Asia Avg	3.60
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

8.3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Poverty (2020s) Lower is better79
Pos.		Total %79
1	Malaysia	0.01%
2	Bhutan	0.01%
3	Cyprus	0.02%
4	Thailand	0.03%
5	Ukraine	0.03%
6	Czechia	0.03%
7	Kazakhstan	0.04%
8	Russia	0.04%
9	Belgium	0.06%
10	Netherlands	0.07%
11	France	0.08%
12	Moldova	0.09%
	Asia Avg	3.54%
	World Avg	11.40%
q=106. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better80
Pos.		201980
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
63	Kazakhstan	7.70
64=	Macedonia	7.90
64=	Uruguay	7.90
64=	Thailand	7.90
64=	Georgia	7.90
64=	China	7.90
69	Argentina	8.60
70=	Barbados	8.70
	Asia Avg	11.80
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better81
Pos.		2023 %81
1	Slovakia	24.1%82
2	Slovenia	24.3%82
3	Belarus	24.4%83
	...
79	Portugal	34.6%82
80=	Iran	34.8%84
80=	Italy	34.8%82
82	Thailand	34.9%82
83	Ethiopia	35.0%85
84=	Russia	35.1%82
84=	Nigeria	35.1%86
84=	Qatar	35.1%87
	Asia Avg	33.0%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better88
Pos.		2018 Severity88
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
8	Trinidad & Tobago	.002
9	Maldives	.003
10	Albania	.003
11	Thailand	.003
12	Moldova	.004
13	Palestine	.004
14	Tunisia	.005
15	St Lucia	.007
	Asia Avg	.084
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #hinduism #islam #judaism

Pew Forum polling over the decades has found the following adherency rates:₈₉:

	2010	2020
Buddhist	93.4%	94.4%
Muslim	5.04%	4.51%
Christian	1.22%	1.03%
Hindu	<0.1%	<0.1%
Unaffiliated	<0.1%	<0.1%
Other	0.146%	<0.1%
Jewish	<0.1%	<0.1%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Buddhist (official) 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census)₉₀.

Links:

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