Timor-Leste (East Timor) (Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste)

https://www.humantruth.info/timor-leste_(east_timor).html

By Vexen Crabtree 2025

Timor-Leste (East Timor) Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	145th best
Capital	Dili
Land Area	14 870km²₁
Location	Asia
Groupings	Small Islands
Population	1.3m₂
Life Expectancy	67.74yrs (2017)₃
GNI	$4 461 (2017)₄
ISO3166-1 Codes	TL, TLS, 626₅
Internet Domain	.tp, .tl₆
Currency	Dollar (USD)₇
Telephone	+670₈

1. Overview

#indonesia #japan #portugal

“The Portuguese began to trade with the island of Timor in the early 16th century and colonized it in mid-century. Skirmishing with the Dutch in the region eventually resulted in an 1859 treaty in which Portugal ceded the western portion of the island. Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. East Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). An unsuccessful campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals lost their lives. On 30 August 1999, in a UN-supervised popular referendum, an overwhelming majority of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. However, in the next three weeks, anti-independence Timorese militias - organized and supported by the Indonesian military - commenced a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution. The militias killed approximately 1,400 Timorese and forcibly pushed 300,000 people into western Timor as refugees. Most of the country's infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, and schools, and nearly 100% of the country's electrical grid were destroyed. On 20 September 1999, Australian-led peacekeeping troops deployed to the country and brought the violence to an end. On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state. In 2006, internal tensions threatened the new nation's security when a military strike led to violence and a breakdown of law and order. At Dili's request, an Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) deployed to Timor-Leste, and the UN Security Council established the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which included an authorized police presence of over 1,600 personnel. The ISF and UNMIT restored stability, allowing for presidential and parliamentary elections in 2007 in a largely peaceful atmosphere. In February 2008, a rebel group staged an unsuccessful attack against the president and prime minister. The ringleader was killed in the attack, and most of the rebels surrendered in April 2008. Since the attack, the government has enjoyed one of its longest periods of post-independence stability, including successful 2012 elections for both the parliament and president. In late 2012, the UN Security Council voted to end its peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste and both the ISF and UNMIT departed the country by the end of the year.”
CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“With mountains to climb and untouched reefs to dive, Asia´s newest country, Timor-Leste, is a winner. It´s home to a youthful population and a diverse international presence that adds just the right amount of spice. Its capital, Dili, has all the bright lights, but venture out for wild cultural experiences. Stay in a grand Portuguese pousada on a misty hilltop, or at a quiet island ecolodge. Get rowdy dancing the night away, journey down roads alongside herds of buffalo, then wind up through rainforests dotted with coffee plants. Keep an eye out for whales as you hug the cliffs along the north-coast road. Photogenic white-sand beaches with aqua waters tempt swimmers and for those who want to delve deeper, Dili-based dive companies have spent the past decade discovering world-class dive sites.Timor-Leste richly rewards those who venture to its mountainous interior for trekking, hot springs, dense jungles and raging rivers. Getting there is a major part of the adventure, whether by vehicle, mountain bike, foot or even Timor pony - however, it is well worth the effort. Trailblaze your way through this amazing country: it´s adventure with a smile.”
"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Timor-Leste (East Timor) 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
	...
137	Honduras	0.621
138	Sao Tome & Principe	0.618
139	Namibia	0.615
140=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	0.607
140=	Laos	0.607
140=	Vanuatu	0.607
143	Nepal	0.602
144	Swaziland	0.597
	Asia Avg	0.75
	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
	...
145	Kyrgyzstan	$4 566
146	Tajikistan	$4 548
147	Kenya	$4 474
148	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	$4 461
149	Syria	$4 192
150	Cambodia	$4 079
151	Kiribati	$4 063
152	Sao Tome & Principe	$4 021
	Asia Avg	$22 215
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index₁₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₂
1	Denmark	28.1
2	Norway	29.9
3	Sweden	31.0
	...
142	Samoa	108.9
143	Gabon	109.2
144	N. Korea	109.9
145	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	110.3
146	Tanzania	110.9
147	Micronesia	111.1
148	Burkina Faso	111.2
149	Madagascar	112.0
	Asia Avg	92.4
	World Avg	89.4
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. Timor-Leste (East Timor)'s Demographics and Migration

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

Population Datasets:

Timor-Leste (East Timor)'s population is predicted to rise to 1.989 million by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 3.05. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1, once you take mortality into account₁₃. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₄

Population₂
Pos.		2018 Population₂
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
151	Trinidad & Tobago	1.4m
152	Estonia	1.3m
153	Equatorial Guinea	1.3m
154	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	1.3m
155	Mauritius	1.3m
156	Cyprus	1.2m
157	Swaziland	1.1m
158	Djibouti	1.0m
	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
	...
130	Moldova	68.8
131	Nepal	68.4
132	Laos	68.1
133	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	67.7
134	Sao Tome & Principe	67.6
135	Indonesia	67.6
136	Kiribati	67.4
137	India	67.2
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₅
Pos.		2022₁₅
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
146	Singapore	1.04
147	Lesotho	2.98
148	British Virgin Islands	1.02
149	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	3.05
150	Kazakhstan	3.05
151	Puerto Rico	0.90
152	Tajikistan	3.14
153	Tuvalu	3.14
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better₁₆
Pos.		2016 Per 100₁₆
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
52	Oman	07.8
53	Jordan	08.0
54	Laos	08.1
55	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	08.2
56	Belize	08.3
57	Gabon	08.5
58	Pakistan	08.6
59	Bahrain	08.7
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

Migration Datasets:

Immigrants₁₇
Pos.		2017 %₁₇
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
155	Guinea	1.0%
156	Iraq	1.0%
157	Mexico	0.9%
158	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	0.9%
159	Zambia	0.9%
160	Bangladesh	0.9%
161	Tanzania	0.9%
162	Mozambique	0.8%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants₁₈
Pos.		2010 %₁₈
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
161	Gabon	1.7%
162	Vanuatu	1.6%
163	Djibouti	1.5%
164	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	1.4%
165	Zambia	1.4%
166	Cameroon	1.4%
167	Malawi	1.4%
168	Congo, DR	1.3%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Timor-Leste (East Timor)'s Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Compared to Asia (2025)₁₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₉
1	Japan	31.6
2	Taiwan	41.3
3	S. Korea	44.8
	...
9	Georgia	81.4
10	Philippines	81.7
11	Thailand	83.0
12	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	83.5
13	Nepal	92.7
14	Singapore	95.8
15	Bhutan	97.2
16	Turkey	98.8
17	Armenia	99.1
	Asia Avg	109.13
q=52.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₁₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₉
1	Sweden	7.8
2	Netherlands	8.7
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
78	Philippines	81.7
79	Seychelles	82.0
80	Thailand	83.0
81	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	83.5
82	Paraguay	83.7
83	Moldova	83.7
84	Tuvalu	83.8
85	St Vincent & Grenadines	84.8
	World Avg	89.80
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, The Netherlands and Denmark₂₀. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia₂₀.

31 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, combatting 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 Europe₂₀, whereas the worst are The Middle East, Africa and Asia₂₀.

For more, see:

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

4.1. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets

#freedom #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #politics #slavery

Press Freedom Higher is better₂₁
Pos.		2025₂₁
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
36	Costa Rica	73.09
37	Montenegro	72.83
38	Slovakia	71.93
39	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	71.79
40	Fiji	71.20
41	Gabon	70.65
42	Macedonia	70.44
43	Dominican Rep.	69.87
	Asia Avg	39.69
	World Avg	54.65
q=179. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

Timor-Leste is one of only 19 countries who in 2025 had better press freedom than in the 2010s.

Slavery in the 2020s Lower is better₂₂
Pos.		Slavery in the 2020s Per 1000₂₂
1=	Switzerland	0.50
1=	Norway	0.50
3=	Germany	0.60
	...
83	Cameroon	5.80
84	Chad	5.90
85	Yemen	6.00
86=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	6.10
86=	Lithuania	6.10
88	Somalia	6.20
89=	Malaysia	6.30
89=	Ethiopia	6.30
	Asia Avg	9.89
	World Avg	7.15
q=160. Also scored for 2010s-2020s.

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better₂₃
Pos.		2014 Rank₂₃
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
	...
118=	UAE	118
118=	Guinea-Bissau	118
120=	Oman	120
120=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	120
122	Burundi	122
123	Tunisia	123
124	Mali	124
125	Gambia	125
	Asia Avg	94.6
	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
	...
73=	Monaco	2.0
73=	Poland	2.0
73=	Ghana	2.0
76=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.5
76=	Senegal	2.5
76=	Israel	2.5
76=	Solomon Islands	2.5
76=	Colombia	2.5
	Asia Avg	5.0
	World Avg	3.7
q=205. Also scored for 1970s-2010s.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better₂₄
Pos.		2009 Treaties₂₄
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
73=	Niger	18
73=	El Salvador	18
75=	Mongolia	17
75=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	17
75=	Estonia	17
75=	Turkmenistan	17
75=	Turkey	17
75=	Morocco	17
	Asia Avg	12.7
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better₂₅
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty₂₅
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
163	Liberia	13.61
164	San Marino	13.63
165	Saudi Arabia	13.73
166	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	13.73
167	Grenada	13.86
168	Bahamas	13.93
169	Zimbabwe	13.95
170	Djibouti	13.99
	Asia Avg	10.97
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

4.2. Gender Equality Datasets

#gender #misogyny #women

Timor-Leste (E. Timor) has made some steps towards ending gender inequality but much more needs to be done.

See:

Gender Inequality Lower is better₂₆
Pos.		2022₂₆
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
	...
99	Suriname	0.41
100	Colombia	0.41
101	Honduras	0.42
102	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	0.42
103	Guyana	0.42
104	Samoa	0.42
105	Bolivia	0.42
106	Paraguay	0.43
	Asia Avg	0.33
	World Avg	0.34
q=166. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

4.3. Prejudice Datasets

#2020s #freethought #homosexuality #religious_tolerance

LGBT Equality in the 2020s Higher is better₂₇
Pos.		LGBT Equality in the 2020s Score₂₇
1=	Germany	4.88
1=	Spain	4.88
3	Portugal	4.81
	...
96=	Cape Verde	0.05
97	Hong Kong	0.00
98	Bolivia	-0.01
99=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	-0.02
99=	Marshall Islands	-0.02
101	Nauru	-0.10
102	Cambodia	-0.12
103	Laos	-0.13
	Asia Avg	-2.88
	World Avg	-1.21
q=215. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

In Timor�€`Leste, homosexuality has been legal since independence in 1975, with an equal age of consent for all (it was previously criminalized by an imposed Portuguese law). However, same�€`sex marriage is explicitly banned under the Civil Code (2011), and there is no recognition of civil unions nor adoption rights for same�€`sex couples. ILGA researchers in 2017 found that East Timor had some legal protections against anti-LGBT hate crime, and other protections. That same year, Timor-Leste hosted its first Pride march, with government support.

Actions taken at the United Nations:

⇡ Supported the 2006 Norway Joint Statement on sexual orientation and gender identity at the UN.
⇡ Supported the 2008 Declaration at the UN General Assemly affirming LGBTQ rights, tabled by Argentina.
⇡ In 2025, signed the UN Human Rights Council Joint statement on ending acts of violence and human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better₂₈
Pos.		2021₂₈
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
51=	Mali	2.5
51=	Bhutan	2.5
51=	Tonga	2.5
51=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.5
51=	Bulgaria	2.5
51=	Ukraine	2.5
51=	Bahamas	2.5
51=	Central African Rep.	2.5
	Asia Avg	3.7
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Timor-Leste (East Timor)'s Health

#health

Compared to Asia (2025)₂₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₉
1	Japan	40.8
2	Singapore	43.3
3	S. Korea	53.7
	...
42	India	111.6
43	Nepal	115.8
44	Syria	120.7
45	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	122.1
46	Pakistan	129.7
47	Iraq	130.4
48	Laos	133.1
49	Yemen	138.8
50	Afghanistan	149.5
	Asia Avg	90.68
q=50.

Health (2025)₂₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₉
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Japan	40.8
	...
148	Syria	120.7
149	Eritrea	120.8
150	Gambia	120.8
151	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	122.1
152	Guam	122.6
153	S. Africa	123.0
154	Vanuatu	123.4
155	Solomon Islands	123.9
	World Avg	97.39
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 Japan₃₀. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan₃₀.

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 Mediterranean₃₀, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Melanesia₃₀.

For more, see:

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

5.1. Health Datasets

#2010s #alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #smoking #suicide #timor-leste_(east_timor)

Timor-Leste (East Timor) has some poor policies and cultural issues which cause some public health problems. Timor-Leste (E. Timor) comes in the best 20 when it comes to the prevalence of overweight adults₃₁. It does better than average in terms of its suicide rate₃₂, its alcohol consumption rate₃₃ and in its adolescent birth rate₃₄ (but bad for Asia). Timor-Leste (E. Timor) does not succeed in everything, however. Timor-Leste (E. Timor) does worse than average when it comes to its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₅, its average life expectancy₁₁, its fertility rate₁₅, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s₃₆, childhood mortality in the 2020s₃₇ and in delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015₃₈. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 when it comes to its smoking rate₃₉. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. Life expectancy in Timor-Leste in 1990 was 45yrs, much lower than the global average of 64.6. But it improved greatly, by +23.3yrs, in the 30 years from then, the third best long-term improvement in the world, and triple the global average improvement of +7.9yrs. Timor-Leste's peak fertility rate was 6.32 in 1960.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
130	Moldova	68.8
131	Nepal	68.4
132	Laos	68.1
133	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	67.7
134	Sao Tome & Principe	67.6
135	Indonesia	67.6
136	Kiribati	67.4
137	India	67.2
	Asia Avg	73.48
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		2016 Per Capita₃₃
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
43=	Nepal	2.0
43=	Singapore	2.0
43=	Turkey	2.0
46	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.1
47	Mozambique	2.4
48=	Samoa	2.5
48=	Micronesia	2.5
48=	Guatemala	2.5
	Asia Avg	3.9
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₅
Pos.		2022₁₅
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
146	Singapore	1.04
147	Lesotho	2.98
148	British Virgin Islands	1.02
149	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	3.05
150	Kazakhstan	3.05
151	Puerto Rico	0.90
152	Tajikistan	3.14
153	Tuvalu	3.14
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better₃₉
Pos.		Smoking in the 2020s %₃₉
1	Nigeria	3.3%
2	Ghana	3.4%
3	Panama	5.2%
	...
156	Solomon Islands	36.9%
157	Croatia	37.0%
158	Indonesia	38.2%
159	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	38.8%
160	Bulgaria	39.5%
161	Serbia	39.6%
162	Papua New Guinea	39.7%
163	Kiribati	39.7%
	Asia Avg	22.8%
	World Avg	20.0%
q=165. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

In the 2000s, Timor-Leste was one of only 8 countries that had an average smoking rate of over 50% of the population.

Suicide Rate in the 2010s Lower is better₃₂
Pos.		Suicide Rate in the 2010s Per 100k₃₂
1=	Jordan	1.00
1=	Sao Tome & Principe	1.00
1=	Antigua & Barbuda	1.00
	...
32	Afghanistan	3.57
33	Bahamas	3.61
34	Morocco	3.63
35	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	3.66
36	Honduras	4.07
37	Tanzania	4.15
38	Mali	4.16
39	Colombia	4.21
	Asia Avg	7.22
	World Avg	9.24
q=185. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
102	Equatorial Guinea	102
103	Barbados	103
104	Venezuela	104
105	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	105
106	Serbia	106
107	Zimbabwe	107
108	Central African Rep.	108
109	Benin	109
	Asia Avg	64.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better₃₁
Pos.		1976 %₃₁
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
4	India	5.5
5	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	5.7
6	Cambodia	5.9
7	Laos	6.2
8=	Bhutan	6.3
8=	Afghanistan	6.3
10	Indonesia	6.6
11	Burkina Faso	6.8
12	Maldives	7.2
	Asia Avg	23.1
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better₄₀
Pos.		2022 %₄₀
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
4	Madagascar	3.8%
5	Eritrea	4.2%
6	Cambodia	4.4%
7	Burundi	4.5%
8	Rwanda	4.6%
9	Japan	4.9%
10	Bangladesh	5.3%
11	Niger	5.3%
12	Chad	5.7%
	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 better₃₄
Pos.		2022 Per 1000₃₄
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
91	Antigua & Barbuda	32.3
92	Myanmar	32.8
93	Indonesia	32.9
94	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	33.3
95	Kyrgyzstan	33.8
96	Vietnam	35.0
97	Uruguay	35.2
98	Romania	35.4
	Asia Avg	25.9
	World Avg	43.8
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better₃₆
Pos.		Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Avg %₃₆
1=	Luxembourg	99.0
1=	Oman	99.0
1=	Niue	99.0
	...
151	Namibia	87.2
152	Estonia	87.1
153	Moldova	87.0
154	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	86.1
155	Micronesia	85.8
156	Panama	85.7
157	Ukraine	85.3
158	Peru	85.1
	Asia Avg	90.6
	World Avg	88.5
q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) Higher is better₃₈
Pos.		2015 Avg %₃₈
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
165	Sweden	77.8
166	Ivory Coast	76.9
167	Congo, DR	76.5
168	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	76.5
169	Indonesia	76.4
170	Mali	76.0
171	India	75.1
172	Ethiopia	73.9
	Asia Avg	90.5
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better₃₇
Pos.		Infant Mortality (2020s) Per 1000₃₇
1	San Marino	2.11
2	Finland	2.59
3	Luxembourg	2.60
	...
161	Malawi	60.75
162	Swaziland	60.78
163	Gambia	61.12
164	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	62.21
165	Zambia	63.61
166	Zimbabwe	63.76
167	Sudan	65.51
168	Djibouti	66.40
	Asia Avg	23.58
	World Avg	32.19
q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

From the 1990s to the 2000s, East Timor's infant mortality rate improved by more than any other country₃₇, although many serious health challenges for infants remain.

6. Timor-Leste (East Timor)'s Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #environmentalism #fiji #food #haiti #internationalism #meat #over-exploitation #south_sudan #the_environment #timor-leste_(east_timor) #USA #vatican_city #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Asia (2025)₄₁
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₁
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Nepal	47.9
3	India	49.5
	...
43	Kyrgyzstan	108.7
44	Kazakhstan	109.8
45	Bhutan	115.3
46	Uzbekistan	116.1
47	Tajikistan	128.6
48	Brunei	130.2
49	N. Korea	132.3
50	Turkmenistan	134.1
51	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	137.5
	Asia Avg	88.09
q=51.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)₄₁
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₁
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
192	N. Korea	132.3
193	Turkmenistan	134.1
194	Nauru	134.4
195	San Marino	134.9
196	Andorra	136.3
197	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	137.5
198	Vatican City	138.3
199	Eritrea	146.2
	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"₄₂. 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).

Timor-Leste (E. Timor) is 3rd-worst in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is computed using 21 data sets. Timor-Leste (E. Timor) does better than average in reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₃. When it comes to most other metrics, Timor-Leste (E. Timor) does not do well. It does worse than average in its environmental performance₄₄ and in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₅. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better₄₅
Pos.		Total₄₅
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
159	Central African Rep.	-2.6%
160	Malaysia	-2.9%
161	S. Korea	-2.9%
162	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	-3.0%
163	American Samoa	-3.4%
164	Rwanda	-3.5%
165	Trinidad & Tobago	-3.6%
166	Mexico	-4.0%
	Asia Avg	3.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better₄₄
Pos.		2018₄₄
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
122	Micronesia	49.8
123	Libya	49.8
124	Ghana	49.7
125	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	49.5
126	Senegal	49.5
127	Malawi	49.2
128	Guyana	47.9
129	Tajikistan	47.9
	Asia Avg	54.5
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		International Accords on the Environment Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
185	Brunei	39%
186	Nauru	39%
187	S. Sudan	37%
188	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	36%
189	Bhutan	35%
190	Palau	34%
191	Angola	33%
192	Iraq	28%
	Asia Avg	55.4%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

Timor-Leste would benefit from its protections, yet it sits alongside the USA, Haiti, the Vatican, Fiji and South Sudan as the few countries who, after 30 years, have still not not signed the Basel Convention on transporting and dumping hazardous waste.

Meat Consumption Lower is better₄₃
Pos.		2021 kg₄₃
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
26	Benin	15.6
27	Guinea	16.7
28	Gambia	16.7
29	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	17.2
30	Nepal	17.3
31	Solomon Islands	17.4
32	Syria	17.8
33	Yemen	17.8
	Asia Avg	46.7
	World Avg	52.5
q=185. Also scored for 2010s.

7. Timor-Leste (East Timor)'s Modernity and Learning

#education #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Asia (2025)₄₆
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₆
1	S. Korea	23.5
2	Taiwan	25.4
3	Japan	27.4
	...
42	Pakistan	122.6
43	Nepal	124.7
44	Bangladesh	127.5
45	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	139.8
46	Bhutan	142.5
47	Cambodia	144.2
48	Laos	146.1
49	Yemen	158.0
50	Afghanistan	162.4
	Asia Avg	86.04
q=51.

Modernity & Learning (2025)₄₆
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₆
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
169	Central African Rep.	137.0
170	Tuvalu	138.6
171	Guinea	139.0
172	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	139.8
173	Malawi	141.7
174	Niger	142.3
175	Bhutan	142.5
176	Ethiopia	144.2
	World Avg	84.96
q=197.

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, Iceland and Denmark₄₇. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia₄₇. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₄₈.

“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)₄₉

27 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 Europe₄₇, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₄₇.

For more, see:

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

7.1. Modernity Datasets

#metric

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
70	China	70
71	Burundi	71
72	Tunisia	72
73	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	73
74	Chile	74
75	Argentina	75
76	Costa Rica	76
77	Jamaica	77
	Asia Avg	97.1
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better₅₀
Pos.		2025 %₅₀
1=	Slovakia	100
1=	Poland	100
1=	Portugal	100
	...
127=	Uganda	90
127=	Barbados	90
127=	Togo	90
127=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	90
127=	Tanzania	90
127=	Syria	90
127=	Swaziland	90
127=	Sudan	90
	Asia Avg	90
	World Avg	92
q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Officially adopted metric in 1905, as a Portuguese colony. Progression:

1960 (50%): Portuguese metric legacy; traditional units prevalent.
1970 (65%): Education/commerce expand metric.
1980 (80%): Metric dominant officially; informal legacy persists.
2000 (85%).
2025 (90%): High metric usage.

7.2. Education Datasets

#education

Length of Schooling Higher is better₅₁
Pos.		2021 Years₅₁
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
122	Nicaragua	12.6
123	Qatar	12.6
124	Maldives	12.6
125	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	12.6
126	Cape Verde	12.6
127	Guyana	12.5
128	Uzbekistan	12.5
129	Bangladesh	12.4
	Asia Avg	13.5
	World Avg	13.5
q=193. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

7.3. Technology and Information Datasets

#the_internet

Internet Users (2020s) Higher is better
Pos.		Internet Users (2020s)
1=	Iceland	99%
1=	Kuwait	99%
1=	UAE	99%
	...
154	Nigeria	36%
155	Zimbabwe	36%
156	Kenya	35%
157	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	34%
158	Congo, (Brazzaville)	34%
159	Mali	33%
160	Togo	33%
161	Mauritania	32%
	Asia Avg	74.9%
	World Avg	67.8%
q=188. Also scored for 1990s-2020s.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better₅₂
Pos.		2017 Ratio₅₂
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
131=	Tonga	0.0
131=	Myanmar	0.0
131=	Morocco	0.0
131=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	0.0
131=	Honduras	0.0
131=	Syria	0.0
131=	Nicaragua	0.0
131=	Solomon Islands	0.0
	Asia Avg	2.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

8. Timor-Leste (East Timor)'s Culture, Peace and Inequality

#charitability #culture #equality #human_development #inequality #peace

Compared to Asia (2025)₅₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₅₃
1	Singapore	18.1
2	Hong Kong	36.9
3	Japan	38.5
	...
21	Turkey	80.0
22	China	82.0
23	Bahrain	84.2
24	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	84.5
25	Armenia	84.6
26	Philippines	85.1
27	Vietnam	86.9
28	Russia	87.4
29	Georgia	88.3
	Asia Avg	84.83
q=51.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2025)₅₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₅₃
1	Denmark	11.6
2	Finland	13.4
3	Netherlands	13.6
	...
90	Morocco	82.5
91	Kiribati	82.7
92	Bahrain	84.2
93	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	84.5
94	Armenia	84.6
95	Philippines	85.1
96	Peru	86.0
97	Suriname	86.9
	World Avg	81.27
q=187.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 32 datasets, including multiple decades of data on World Giving Index, resisting corruption, overall happiness, Creativity and Culture, passport utility (so far), Open Trading, Aid and Development, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, poverty (so far), life expectancy inequality, 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).

8.1. National Culture Datasets

#corruption #internationalism #politics

On the Corruption Index, Timor-Leste scored on average 30.8 over the 2012-2016 period. Over the 10 years since then, it improved by 11.2 points.

Corruption Higher is better₅₄
Pos.		2022 Points₅₄
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
74=	Bulgaria	43.0
74=	Benin	43.0
74=	Ghana	43.0
77=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	42.0
77=	Vietnam	42.0
77=	Trinidad & Tobago	42.0
77=	Burkina Faso	42.0
77=	Solomon Islands	42.0
	Asia Avg	39.98
	World Avg	42.98
q=180. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
130	Bangladesh	130
131	Kazakhstan	131
132	Guinea	132
133	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	133
134	Mali	134
135	Chad	135
136	Saudi Arabia	136
137	Congo, (Brazzaville)	137
	Asia Avg	99.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better₅₅
Pos.		Passport Reach (2020s) Q₅₅
1	Singapore	192.2
2	Japan	192.0
3	S. Korea	190.7
	...
95	Belize	102.0
96	Qatar	101.3
97	Kuwait	97.2
98	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	94.5
99	Ecuador	92.3
100	Maldives	89.7
101	Nauru	89.3
102	Guyana	88.7
	Asia Avg	85.1
	World Avg	108.8
q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
26	Zimbabwe	26
27	Canada	27
28	Trinidad & Tobago	28
29	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	29
30	Burkina Faso	30
31	Lebanon	31
32	Barbados	32
33	Mongolia	33
	Asia Avg	86.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

8.2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets

#human_development #peace #politics

Global Peace Index Lower is better₅₆
Pos.		2023 Score₅₆
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
46	Laos	1.78
47	Sierra Leone	1.79
48	Oman	1.79
49	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	1.80
50	Uruguay	1.80
51	Ghana	1.80
52	Senegal	1.83
53	Indonesia	1.83
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.07
q=163. Also scored for 2010s.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
46	Burkina Faso	46
47	Philippines	47
48	UK	48
49	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	49
50	Ireland	50
51	Norway	51
52	Finland	52
53	France	53
	Asia Avg	76.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
99	Mexico	99
100	Senegal	100
101	Georgia	101
102	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	102
103	Barbados	103
104	Armenia	104
105	Suriname	105
106	Namibia	106
	Asia Avg	92.2
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

8.3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets

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

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better₅₇
Pos.		2019₅₇
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
132	Madagascar	21.10
133	Senegal	21.20
134	Eritrea	21.40
135	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	21.70
136	Namibia	22.10
137=	Kenya	22.50
137=	Bolivia	22.50
139	Laos	22.60
	Asia Avg	11.80
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better₅₈
Pos.		2023 %₅₈
1	Slovakia	24.1%₅₉
2	Slovenia	24.3%₅₉
3	Belarus	24.4%₆₀
	...
20	Denmark	28.3%₅₉
21=	Poland	28.5%₅₉
21=	Bhutan	28.5%₆₁
23	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	28.7%₆₂
24	Croatia	28.9%₅₉
25	Kosovo	29.0%₆₃
26=	Hungary	29.2%₅₉
26=	Kazakhstan	29.2%₅₉
	Asia Avg	33.0%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s.

Income inequality data is rarely available for East Timor - only for 3 years between 1980 and 2019.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better₆₄
Pos.		2018 Severity₆₄
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
66	Bangladesh	.198
67	Pakistan	.198
68	Haiti	.200
69	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	.210
70	Ivory Coast	.236
71	Yemen	.241
72	Cameroon	.243
73	Malawi	.243
	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:₆₅:

	2010	2020
Christian	99.4%	99.5%
Muslim	0.191%	0.257%
Other	<0.1%	0.101%
Unaffiliated	0.176%	<0.1%
Buddhist	<0.1%	<0.1%
Hindu	0.158%	<0.1%
Jewish	None	None

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Roman Catholic 98%, Muslim 1%, Protestant 1% (2005)₆₆.

Links:

A List of All Religions and Belief Systems