What is the Best Country in the World? An Index of Morality, Conscience and Good Life

1. The Criteria: Human Rights & Tolerance
2. The Criteria: Health
3. The Criteria: The Environment
4. The Criteria: Modernity and Education
5. The Criteria: National Culture
6. Table of Country Scores
7. Compare with the UN's Human Development Index
8. Previous Edition (2005-2007) Winners: Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland and Germany
9. Links

1. The Criteria: Human Rights & Tolerance

2. The Criteria: Health

3. The Criteria: The Environment

4. The Criteria: Modernity and Education

5. The Criteria: National Culture

5.1. World Giving Index

#charity #finland #morals #norway #sweden

The World Giving Index is produced annually by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). It produces statistical counts of individual charitable acts in three categories: the helping of strangers, donations to charity and volunteer work. The system is biased towards grassroots-charitability and because of this, it is not wise to draw moral conclusions from the data. Some countries have a top-down approach to social aid. For example, in highly socialist countries such as Finland, Norway and Sweden the government itself is paid by citizens (through very high taxes) to engage in a lot of social work. Therefore, there is a culture in which individuals feel they already contribute to charity through a centralized and well-funded charitable social safety net: but this kind of contribution isn't reflected in the WGI. Some of those countries do score highest in measurements of how much aid is given to developing countries. Conversely, some of the lowest-ranking countries are clearly suffering from extreme poverty, and may lack the infrastructure that lets people volunteer time or give to charity.

For more, see:

• "Charity Across the World" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

5.2. Corruption

#corruption #democracy #multinationals #organized_crime #politics

Corruption is the abuse of public office for private gain₆. There are many forms of corruption. Politicians can sometimes (1) steal money (theft or embezzlement), (2) accept bribes (such as backhanders for awarding government contracts to companies), (3) give bribes (i.e., for electoral support or support in the mass media), (4) improperly coerce others (extortion), (5) give positions of power to friends and family without fairly seeking other applicants for those jobs (cronyism), or (6) grant favours to friends and family (nepotism) such as buying services from them at inflated prices (graft).

Corruption benefits organized crime₇, multinational companies that exploit legal loopholes between countries₈, and the rich and powerful₉; this comes at the expense of national stability, peace and security₇. The presence of corrupt politicians has been weaponized by those who seek to undermine democratic countries₁₀. According to Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index₁₁, the least corrupt countries in 2022 were Denmark, Finland and New Zealand₅ and the worst were Somalia, S. Sudan and Syria₅.

For more, see:

• "Corruption - The Abuse of Power by Politicians" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

5.3. Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)₁₂

#capitalism #economics #inequality #social_development

The Gini coefficient measures the imbalance amongst incomes in a country; lower scores are better. 100% is absolute and universal inequality, and 0% means that incomes are distributed equally between people₁₃. It doesn't factor-in standing wealth (just income), so its not a comprehensive indicator of all inequality. By averaging countries' results by continent, you can see the best regions: Europe (30.8%), Asia (33.0%) and The Middle East (33.3%)₁₃; and also the worst: South America (44.2%), North America (43.8%) and Africa (40.7%)₁₃.

For more, see:

• " Economic Inequality" by Vexen Crabtree (2024).

5.4. Happiness

#denmark #finland #happiness #human_development #netherlands #norway

Studying happiness is difficult and people tend to overstate their own happiness - in particular those who are aware of international studies of happiness and want to portray their country in a good light. It is also especially overstated by religious folk who are institutionalized into repeating the story of 'how happy my religion makes me'₂₈.

Over many years, the happiest countries have been those of northern Europe - Finland, Norway, Denmark, plus the Netherlands. The unhappiest continent is Africa (by a wide margin).

It is of course true that the happiest people are not those who are necessarily leading the best lives. Excess, indulgence and short-term policy can all lead to a high rating on this chart; things like living morally and frugally, for example, do not automatically go hand in hand with happiness even though they are virtues. But by comparing national happiness to overall development via the Social And Moral index score; we see that overall national development is strongly correlated to average happiness. In other words, the key to making a population happy in the long term is the embracing of liberal democratic values, human rights, tolerance, good education, and a strong social net (which are the factors which cause high rankings on the Social & Moral index).

For more, see:

• "International Happiness: Which Countries and Regions are Most Happy?" by Vexen Crabtree (2018).

5.5. Creativity and Culture (GCI)

The Good Country Index gauges how well countries are doing in helping international development. Their criteria on Contributions to Culture include:

1. Creative goods exports: Exports of creative goods (UNCTAD's Creative Economy Report categorisation) relative to the size of the economy.

2. Creative services exports: Exports of creative services (according to ITC's "trade in services" categories 10 and 11) relative to the size of the economy.

3. UNESCO dues in arrears as % of contribution: UNESCO dues in arrears as percentage of contribution (negative indicator).

4. Freedom of movement, i.e. visa restrictions: Number of countries and territories that citizens can enter without a visa (according to Henley & Partners).

5. Press freedom: Freedom of the press (based on mean score for Reporters without Borders and Freedom House index as a negative indicator).

5.6. Open Trading, Aid and Development (GCI)

The Good Country Index gauges how well countries are doing in helping international development. Their criteria on Contribution to Prosperity and Equality include:

1. Open trading: Trading across borders (open trading performance compared to best practice; i.e. IFC distance to frontier).

2. UN volunteers abroad: Number of aid workers and volunteers sent overseas (according to UNV) relative to the size of the economy.

3. Fairtrade market size: Fairtrade market size (according to Fairtrade International) relative to the size of the economy.

4. FDI outflows: FDI outflow (according to UNCTAD) relative to the size of the economy.

5. Development assistance: Development cooperation contributions (aid according to Development Initiatives) relative to the size of the economy.

5.7. Global Peace Index

#2010s #denmark #human_development #peace #politics #switzerland

The Global Peace Index is produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace, and is "the world's leading study on global levels of peacefulness"; it ranks nations using over 20 "qualitative and quantitative indicators from highly respected sources, which gauge three broad themes: the level of safety and security in society; the extent of domestic or international conflict; and the degree of militarisation. [The IEP] hopes to make a valuable contribution to better understanding how civil society, researchers, policymakers, and government can create a more peaceful society"₃₀. The most peaceable countries in the world are Iceland, Denmark and Ireland₃₀ and the worst are Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria₃₀.

“The Dalai Lama said that he hoped the index would encourage countries to strive for peace. "Compiling and maintaining an index of which countries are the most peaceful and publishing the results will undoubtedly make the factors and qualities that contribute to that status better known and will encourage people to foster them in their own countries," he said.”

The Guardian (2007)₃₂

Despite the positive appeal of the Global Peace Index, it is imperfect and as with all international statistics, some countries appear to have a natural advantage. In this case, it is small countries which exist inside regional blocs: Denmark or Switzerland without stepping on the toes of many other countries which have sturdy militaries, so there is less incentive for those countries to invest in defence. Although note that of course defence spending is only one of the many factors considered by the GPI, it is easy to imagine that a country such as Israel (151st), surrounded by aggressive neighbours, could never score well on this index.

5.8. Peacekeeping and Security (GCI)

The Good Country Index gauges how well countries are doing in helping international development. Their criteria on Contributions to International Peace and Security include:

1. Peacekeeping troops: Number of peacekeeping troops sent overseas for UN missions, relative to the size of the economy.

2. Dues in arrears to UN peace keeping budgets as % of contribution: Dues in arrears to financial contribution to UN peacekeeping missions as percentage of contribution (negative indicator).

3. International violent conflict: Attributed number of casualties of international organised violence (number of casualties per conflict divided by the number of countries involved according to UCDP/PRIO) relative to the size of the economy (negative indicator).

4. Arms exports: Exports of weapons and ammunition (according to ITC) relative to the size of the economy (negative indicator).

5. Internet security: Global Cybersecurity Index score (according to ITU).

5.9. Refugees and UN Treaties (GCI)

The Good Country Index gauges how well countries are doing in helping international development. Their criteria on Contributions to World Order include:

1. Charity giving: Percentage of population that gives to charity (according to Charities Aid Foundation) as proxy for cosmopolitan attitude.

2. Refugees hosted: Number of refugees hosted (according to UNHCR) relative to the size of the economy.

3. Refugees generated: Number of refugees overseas (according to UNHCR) relative to the size of the population (negative indicator).

4. Birth rate: Population birth rate (according to World Bank as negative indicator).

5. UN Treaties signed: Number of UN treaties signed (up to 2014) as proxy for diplomatic action and peaceful conflict resolution.

5.10. The Impact of Terrorism

#extremism #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

The scores are the combination of a five year weighted average, taking into account not only the total number of deaths due to terrorism, but also its impact. The scores are produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace, based on the global terrorism database₃₄.

5.11. Forest Area Change 1990-2015

#biodiversity #deforestation #environmentalism #forests #over-exploitation #the_environment

Forests are carbon sinks, mitigating against climate change_36,37. Unfortunately, we are destroying over 70,000 km² of forest each year₃₈. In the last few thousand years, we've removed 30-40% of the Earth's forest cover_39,37, mostly to clear space for agriculture, and for logging_40,41. The produce from both is shipped from poorer countries to richer ones. Half-hearted government efforts and company obfuscation of supply chains makes it almost impossible for consumers to tell which foods and products are from sustainable sources, and which ones are encouraging irresponsible deforestation, meaning that there is little incentive for companies to relent.

The effects are catastrophic. 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions are the result of deforestation_42,40. It brings soil erosion from wind and rain which, over time, can almost-permanently stop any hope of growing food₄₃, and spreads desertification. Entire ecosystems are collapsing as a result, including ones that we depend upon₄₄. The water cycle is driven by forests, and their loss reduces ordinary rainfall, increases flooding, removes an abundant source of water filtration, and contributes to a rise in water levels.₄₅.

Some regions of the world are increasing their forest cover₃₇; the best from 2000-2020 are Scandinavia (13.8% ), The Balkans (11.0% ) and Baltic States (7.6% )₃₅. There is an overall trend that developed countries gathered their riches by using up their natural resources, and now, they pay poorer countries to use up theirs instead, whilst they can afford to slowly rebuild their natural environments. But it's not wholly that simple - some rich regions are still burning through what they've got. The regions clearing their forests fastest are Central America (-12.8% ), Africa (-9.1% ) and North America (-2.9% )₃₅.

For more, see:

• " Deforestation" by Vexen Crabtree (2024).

5.12. Environmental Performance

#bhutan #climate_change #equatorial_guinea #haiti #iceland #switzerland #the_environment #turkmenistan #united_arab_emirates

The Environmental Performance Index includes 24 indicators including air pollution, water and sanitation, biodiversity, ecosystems and environmental health.

The worst countries on this scale generally use massive quantities of natural resources in an unsustainable manner and have populations that are rising quickly. Turkmenistan and United Arab Emirates have only a tiny percentage of their primary energy supply sourced from renewables (both under 0.03%). Equatorial Guinea saw its CO₂ emissions per person rise by 11% between 1970-2008, the second highest in the world after Bhutan. Incredibly for an island, under 13% of those in Haiti believe that human activity is causing global warming, whilst only 29% believe it in United Arab Emirates and Turkmenistan.

The best countries are not better in all criteria but normally excel in a few categories. Iceland produces 82% of its primary energy supply through renewable sources. Its CO₂ emissions per person rose only by 0.1 percent. It more than doubled its forested area between 1990 and 2008. Switzerland reduced its CO₂ emissions per person by 0.5% and also increased its forested areas.

5.13. Energy Use to GDP Efficiency

#environment #the_environment

This data is only included for informational purposes, and is not used to calculate points. It could show how efficiently each country uses its energy. High values could mean that a country wastes little energy, and low values could mean that they use a lot of energy for little gain. However, some countries could be engaged heavily in endeavours that are worthwhile, but, which do not generate GDP. Some industries and services might outsource production, or be innately high-yield no matter what the nation's energy usage is. Likewise, GDP on its own does not matter - it is what people do with their wealth and resources that matters. GDP-generation isn't inherently worthwhile unless it goes into quality of living, education, scientific research, etc - all things that are already being measured on the Social & Moral Development Index. Hence, the energy-to-GDP is not being used in the formula.

5.14. Convention on Biological Diversity

#biodiversity #the_environment #USA

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was originally sparked from United Nations activity in the 1980s as a result of rising scientific alarm over the impact of human activity on natural habitats, including a rising awareness of extinctions and shifts in ecosystems that occasionally cause widespread disruption that is difficult (or impossible) to reverse.

After a long period of international consultation involving hundreds of scientists and environmental ministers, the Convention was finalized and launched at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, and received 168 signatures over the subsequent year.

Part of the first wave of signees were a large number of small island nations, who are uniquely susceptible to over-exploitation by rich companies and countries, but simultaneously, are (as a group) the least responsible for driving global extinctions.

Data on when each country ratified the CBD forms part of the formula of the Social and Moral Development Index, with countries losing points for reticence (taking into account the foundation dates of newly independent countries). The USA stands alone in not ratifying it, but is the world's greatest driver for activities that cause biodiversity loss.

5.15. Meat Consumption

#animal_rights #animal_welfare #diet #food #health #meat #veganism #vegetarianism

Vegetarian diets have health advantages over carnivorous diets. Plant-based diets use much less water than carnivorous ones, to the extent that agricultural and water management scientists are urging governments to encourage people to switch₄₉. Some vegetarians are morally opposed to the maltreatment of animals: some avoid meat products as an offensive against the meat industry. But there are problems with vegetarians, too. Some merely want to look good socially; some have accepted pro-vegetarian ideas that are plain wrong and misguided, and, some faddish vegetarian diets are harmful and dangerous. The countries that ate the least meat throughout the 2010s were Burundi, Congo, DR and Bangladesh₄₈.

6. Table of Country Scores

#human_development

7. Compare with the UN's Human Development Index

#canada #human_development #iceland #norway

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.

Norway has been the top of this list since ousting Canada in 2001 (except in 2007 and 2008 when Iceland made it to the top).

This data series is only here for informational reasons, meaning, it does not form part of the Social and Moral Development Index formula. This is because the UN HDI takes into account many factors (such as wealth) that are not social or moral in nature.

Links:

• UN Development Program: About the Human Development Index

8. Previous Edition (2005-2007) Winners: Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland and Germany

#belgium #canada #denmark #finland #germany #netherlands #norway #sweden #switzerland #UK

For old stats, view the archived page: "Which Countries Set the Best Examples? (Archived page from 2005-2007)" by Vexen Crabtree (2007).