Country profile

Ecuador: Costs, Safety, Relocation and Quality of Life

Ecuador is especially relevant in the Nomadino comparison when comparing everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as travel, accommodation and visitor usability. The current data points to a solid overall picture; its strongest main categories are Costs and Travel & Vacation, while Vacation Costs, Personal Services and Dining & Going Out stand out at topic level. Before making a decision, check safety, stability and risk exposure as well as infrastructure, mobility and digital usability more closely, because the largest deductions come from Social System & Social Cohesion, Bitcoin & Crypto and Safety & Crime.

Overall rating 58.44 points
Global rank Rank 130 globally
Continental rank Rank 8 in South America

View main country ranking

Decision areas

The following entry points link directly to detailed articles that are especially relevant for relocation, longer stays, daily life and travel planning.

Key questions about Ecuador

Why is Ecuador especially relevant in this comparison?

The profile is shaped mainly by everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as travel, accommodation and visitor usability; its strongest main categories are Costs and Travel & Vacation.

Which topics stand out positively for Ecuador?

Vacation Costs, Personal Services and Dining & Going Out show the strongest topic-level results.

What should be checked before making a decision?

safety, stability and risk exposure as well as infrastructure, mobility and digital usability deserve closer attention; the largest deductions come from Social System & Social Cohesion, Bitcoin & Crypto and Safety & Crime.

How important is lower-cost living and longer stays for Ecuador?

The detailed articles below help check whether the rating fits residence, work, costs, healthcare, safety or travel.

Strengths and weaknesses

This section only shows categories, topic areas and indicators where Ecuador ranks in the top three or bottom three globally or continentally and shares the same score with no more than two other countries. Global ranks take priority over continental ranks.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Comparisons and related countries

Ecuador is especially useful to compare with Colombia, Portugal and Spain, because those countries sit closer to its overall rating profile. Denmark and Germany work as contrast comparisons when everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as travel, accommodation and visitor usability need to be weighed against different priorities; safety, stability and risk exposure as well as infrastructure, mobility and digital usability still deserve closer attention.

All ratings and indicators for Ecuador

58 topic areas and 342 indicators are linked directly in the static HTML. Categories and topic areas are collapsed to keep the country profile easy to scan.

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Safety & Risk ShowHide

Safety & Crime

6 indicators

37
/ 100
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Homicide Rate
Rank 224 globally 30
Petty Crime Index
Rank 203 globally 35
Women's Safety
Rank 195 globally 39
Organized Crime
Rank 210 globally 32
Kidnapping Risk
Rank 202 globally 42
BAC Limit (โ€ฐ)
Rank 115 globally 62
51
/ 100
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Active Conflicts & War Risk
Rank 200 globally 49
Political Violence
Rank 201 globally 35
Geopolitical Risk
Rank 182 globally 70
Terrorism Risk
Rank 193 globally 69

Natural Hazards

8 indicators

42
/ 100
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Flood Risk
Rank 183 globally 36
Storm Risk
Rank 113 globally 74
Earthquake Risk
Rank 227 globally 12
Drought Risk
Rank 60 globally 76
Wildfire Risk
Rank 98 globally 50
Landslide Risk
Rank 221 globally 22
Tsunami Risk
Rank 219 globally 16
Volcano Risk
Rank 223 globally 20

Privacy & Surveillance

6 indicators

60
/ 100
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State Surveillance
Rank 128 globally 60
Internet Censorship
Rank 133 globally 61
Internet Freedom
Rank 133 globally 58
Data Protection Laws
Rank 89 globally 59
VPN Access
Rank 128 globally 68
Cybercrime Risk
Rank 163 globally 51
41
/ 100
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Rule of Law
Rank 154 globally 43
Property Rights Security
Rank 150 globally 45
Corruption Perception
Rank 166 globally 32
Police Effectiveness
Rank 184 globally 41
Expropriation Risk
Rank 154 globally 42
Extradition Risk
Rank 99 globally 45

Long-Term Stability

4 indicators

50
/ 100
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Political Stability
Rank 192 globally 40
Economic Resilience
Rank 145 globally 56
Government Efficiency
Rank 168 globally 45
Climate Vulnerability
Rank 92 globally 61
โค๏ธ Health ShowHide

Healthcare & Access

12 indicators

61
/ 100
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Healthcare Quality
Rank 116 globally 60
Universal Healthcare Coverage
Rank 123 globally 66
Emergency Care
Rank 128 globally 56
Medicine Access
Rank 133 globally 61
Hospital Infections & Patient Safety
Rank 138 globally 55
Health Insurance for Foreigners
Rank 97 globally 68
Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure
Rank 144 globally 61
Doctor Density
Rank 85 globally 60
Hospital Beds
Rank 165 globally 25
Healthcare Coverage (%)
Rank 91 globally 94
Specialist Visit Cost
Rank 115 globally 58
English-Speaking Doctors
Rank 129 globally 50

Environmental Health

6 indicators

52
/ 100
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Fine Particulate Matter Exposure (PM2.5)
Rank 107 globally 74
Noise Pollution
Rank 138 globally 50
UV Radiation
Rank 227 globally 10
Tap Water Safety
Rank 140 globally 73
Sanitation
Rank 138 globally 56
Waste Management
Rank 222 globally 4
65
/ 100
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Life Expectancy
Rank 81 globally 79
Infectious Diseases
Rank 157 globally 63
Obesity Rate
Rank 153 globally 64
Infant Mortality (per 1,000)
Rank 117 globally 46
Mental Health
Rank 169 globally 55
Suicide Rate
Rank 101 globally 60
Maternal Mortality
Rank 133 globally 55
Vaccination Rate
Rank 201 globally 70
Alcohol & Tobacco Consumption
Rank 35 globally 81
Drug and Substance-Use Burden
Rank 35 globally 87
๐Ÿ’ธ Finance & Taxes ShowHide

Taxes & Finance

10 indicators

61
/ 100
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Effective Income Tax Rate (%)
Rank 140 globally 81
Top Income Tax Rate
Rank 158 globally 42
Social Security Burden
Rank 130 globally 70
VAT / GST Rate
Rank 99 globally 53
Capital Gains Tax
Rank 112 globally 79
Dividend Tax Rate
Rank 128 globally 75
Inheritance / Estate Tax
Rank 204 globally 58
Territorial Tax System
Rank 97 globally 25
Tax Filing Effort (hours/year)
Rank 224 globally 10
Double Taxation Agreements
Rank 114 globally 25
57
/ 100
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Capital Flow Freedom
Rank 161 globally 59
Capital Market Depth
Rank 133 globally 59
Business Credit Access
Rank 127 globally 58
Investor Protection
Rank 143 globally 46
Foreign Investment Openness
Rank 112 globally 58
Currency Convertibility & Transferability
Rank 107 globally 71
Venture Capital & Startup Financing
Rank 138 globally 48
Alternative Financing Access
Rank 133 globally 52

Banking & Fintech

8 indicators

61
/ 100
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Expat Banking Ease
Rank 109 globally 42
Banking Stability
Rank 138 globally 73
SWIFT / Wire Access
Rank 121 globally 80
Fintech Development
Rank 123 globally 55
ATM Availability
Rank 128 globally 72
Banking Secrecy Index
Rank 152 globally 42
Automatic Tax Information Exchange
Rank 103 globally 23
Cash Transaction Limit
Rank 1 globally 100

Bitcoin & Crypto

6 indicators

36
/ 100
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Crypto Adoption
Rank 77 globally 38
Crypto Regulation
Rank 104 globally 44
Legal Status
Rank 101 globally 48
Bitcoin Merchant Acceptance
Rank 86 globally 20
Crypto Tax Rate
Rank 217 globally 29
Bitcoin Cash Access
Rank 45 globally 28

Real Estate & Property

4 indicators

82
/ 100
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Foreigner Ownership Rights
Rank 43 globally 80
Transaction Costs
Rank 4 globally 93
Affordability
Rank 34 globally 80
Gross Rental Yield
Rank 28 globally 79
46
/ 100
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Corporate Tax Rate
Rank 107 globally 38
Cost to Start a Business
Rank 127 globally 60
Labor Market Flexibility
Rank 108 globally 57
Days to Register a Company
Rank 212 globally 25

Macroeconomics

9 indicators

64
/ 100
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GDP per Capita (PPP, USD)
Rank 131 globally 56
Inflation Rate (CPI, %)
Rank 9 globally 99
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Rank 118 globally 58
GDP Growth Rate (%)
Rank 221 globally 44
Economic Freedom Index
Rank 159 globally 51
Tax Burden (% of GDP)
Rank 150 globally 75
Central Bank Independence
Rank 122 globally 65
Foreign Exchange Reserves (months of imports)
Rank 174 globally 38
Current Account Balance (% of GDP)
Rank 37 globally 89
55
/ 100
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Avg. Monthly Net Salary ($/month)
Rank 110 globally 38
Purchasing Power Index
Rank 112 globally 36
Unemployment Rate (%)
Rank 55 globally 88
Wage Growth Rate (%)
Rank 32 globally 83
Salary-to-Rent Ratio
Rank 80 globally 72
Minimum Wage (USD/month)
Rank 98 globally 47
๐Ÿ  Costs ShowHide

Housing & Utilities

5 indicators

72
/ 100
ShowHide
City Rent per Square Meter
Rank 79 globally 52
Rural Rent per Square Meter
Rank 84 globally 63
Electricity Cost
Rank 60 globally 86
Heating & Gas Cost
Rank 101 globally 97
Water & Sewage Cost
Rank 75 globally 96

Food & Basic Goods

7 indicators

61
/ 100
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Milk Price per Liter
Rank 74 globally 62
Bread Price per 500 Grams
Rank 161 globally 39
Egg Price for 12 Eggs
Rank 99 globally 64
Chicken Fillet Price per Kilogram
Rank 99 globally 70
Beef Round Price per Kilogram
Rank 50 globally 79
Vegetable Basket Price per Kilogram
Rank 101 globally 70
Water Price per Liter in Supermarket
Rank 169 globally 42

Dining & Going Out

9 indicators

86
/ 100
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Price of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal
Rank 53 globally 84
Burger Menu Price
Rank 82 globally 92
Cappuccino (Cafรฉ)
Rank 81 globally 83
Local Beer (Restaurant)
Rank 70 globally 87
Local Beer Price in a Market
Rank 72 globally 92
Imported Beer Price in a Market
Rank 81 globally 86
Cocktail (Bar)
Rank 80 globally 86
Mid-Range Wine Bottle Price
Rank 69 globally 78
Soft Drink Price in a Market
Rank 93 globally 90

Mobility Costs

7 indicators

83
/ 100
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Transit Cost
Rank 46 globally 96
Fuel Price ($/L)
Rank 18 globally 88
Car Rental ($/day)
Rank 37 globally 92
Car Insurance ($/yr)
Rank 98 globally 94
Car Purchase Index
Rank 119 globally 7
Driving License Cost ($)
Rank 109 globally 94
City Parking ($/hr)
Rank 69 globally 94
80
/ 100
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Internet Cost
Rank 55 globally 75
Mobile Plan Cost
Rank 65 globally 78
Prepaid SIM & Data Package Cost
Rank 72 globally 89
eSIM & Travel Data Cost
Rank 81 globally 91
Coworking Day Pass Cost
Rank 30 globally 77

Personal Services

4 indicators

87
/ 100
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Haircut Cost
Rank 89 globally 85
Fitness Club Monthly Fee
Rank 79 globally 90
Laundry & Dry Cleaning Cost
Rank 55 globally 91
Local Services Cost
Rank 92 globally 83
๐Ÿ—๏ธ Infrastructure ShowHide
38
/ 100
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Logistics Performance
Rank 99 globally 31
Rail Network Density
Rank 70 globally 34
Airport Connectivity
Rank 69 globally 56
Port Connectivity
Rank 74 globally 28
44
/ 100
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Road Quality
Rank 91 globally 51
Traffic Congestion
Rank 167 globally 40
Road Density
Rank 161 globally 50
Traffic Deaths
Rank 165 globally 54
EV Charging Infrastructure
Rank 130 globally 6

Electricity & Energy

6 indicators

86
/ 100
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Power Outages
Rank 127 globally 82
Electrification Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Energy Self-Sufficiency
Rank 31 globally 80
Renewable Energy Share
Rank 34 globally 79
CO2 Intensity
Rank 34 globally 76
Nuclear Exposure
Rank 1 globally 100
42
/ 100
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Broadband Speed
Rank 118 globally 48
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions
Rank 110 globally 43
Mobile Speed
Rank 123 globally 51
5G Coverage
Rank 113 globally 10

Public Transport

4 indicators

48
/ 100
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Transit Coverage
Rank 70 globally 55
Transit Punctuality
Rank 88 globally 58
Cycling Infrastructure
Rank 85 globally 18
Walkability Score
Rank 73 globally 58
๐ŸŒฟ Lifestyle ShowHide

Work-Life Balance

5 indicators

48
/ 100
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Annual Working Hours
Rank 171 globally 40
Paid Vacation Days
Rank 129 globally 50
Happiness Index (UN)
Rank 95 globally 61
Burnout Risk
Rank 135 globally 45
Public Holidays
Rank 136 globally 44

Climate & Weather

6 indicators

76
/ 100
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Temperature Comfort
Rank 5 globally 84
Sunshine Hours
Rank 179 globally 66
Humidity Comfort
Rank 130 globally 61
Rainy Days
Rank 174 globally 56
Extreme Heat Days
Rank 33 globally 98
Seasonal Variation
Rank 16 globally 96

Outdoor & Lifestyle

5 indicators

79
/ 100
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Beach Quality
Rank 91 globally 66
Mountain Access
Rank 16 globally 81
Protected Land Area (%)
Rank 63 globally 79
Biodiversity Index
Rank 3 globally 97
Forest Cover
Rank 57 globally 66

Leisure & Recreation

4 indicators

57
/ 100
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Sports & Fitness Facilities
Rank 99 globally 44
Urban Green Space Access
Rank 39 globally 77
Leisure Infrastructure
Rank 81 globally 47
Recovery Time
Rank 178 globally 58

Arts & Entertainment

6 indicators

47
/ 100
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Museums per 100,000 People
Rank 97 globally 38
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Rank 65 globally 32
Music & Nightlife
Rank 68 globally 50
Cinema Density
Rank 71 globally 30
Cultural Freedom
Rank 88 globally 62
Football and Stadium Culture
Rank 29 globally 79
56
/ 100
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Cuisine Diversity
Rank 56 globally 50
Restaurant Density
Rank 61 globally 58
Street Food Scene
Rank 46 globally 54
Local Market Quality
Rank 46 globally 62
Cafรฉ Culture
Rank 68 globally 50
Local Freshness
Rank 54 globally 67
Local Authenticity
Rank 51 globally 49

Family-Friendly

7 indicators

48
/ 100
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Childcare Cost ($/month)
Rank 111 globally 92
Paid Parental Leave (weeks)
Rank 118 globally 27
Child Benefit ($/month)
Rank 105 globally 23
Child Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 117 globally 71
Child Safety Score
Rank 122 globally 58
Childcare Coverage (%)
Rank 94 globally 20
Playground Density
Rank 117 globally 45

Pet-Friendly

7 indicators

60
/ 100
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Pet Entry Rules
Rank 54 globally 65
Veterinary Quality
Rank 91 globally 60
Vet Cost Affordability
Rank 70 globally 68
Pet Food Prices
Rank 63 globally 65
Animal Welfare Laws
Rank 78 globally 50
Pet-Friendly Housing
Rank 61 globally 55
Outdoor Pet Access
Rank 86 globally 60
โœˆ๏ธ Relocation & Residency ShowHide
62
/ 100
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Residence Permit Ease
Rank 102 globally 72
E-Government
Rank 113 globally 71
Visa Processing Time
Rank 57 globally 62
Local Registration Requirements
Rank 164 globally 49
Foreign Document & Qualification Recognition
Rank 129 globally 57
Household Goods & Customs
Rank 103 globally 47
International Licence Compatibility
Rank 120 globally 59
71
/ 100
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Visa-Free Tourist Stay Days
Rank 38 globally 75
Visa Application Ease
Rank 116 globally 64
Border Openness
Rank 117 globally 65
Travel & Entry Comfort
Rank 101 globally 61
Visa Income & Asset Requirements
Rank 13 globally 96
44
/ 100
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Digital Nomad Visa
Rank 124 globally 39
Remote Work Legality
Rank 209 globally 32
Freelance Legal Framework
Rank 197 globally 43
Remote Job Market
Rank 131 globally 56
Coworking Density
Rank 74 globally 51
Nomad Community
Rank 86 globally 46
Avg. Remote Salary (USD)
Rank 125 globally 50
54
/ 100
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Work Rights for Foreigners
Rank 138 globally 55
Work Permit Access for Foreigners
Rank 131 globally 60
Local Self-Employment and Freelancing Rights
Rank 189 globally 44
Employment Restrictions for Foreigners
Rank 133 globally 54
Professional Qualification Recognition
Rank 132 globally 54
Business Ownership by Foreigners
Rank 123 globally 62
67
/ 100
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Time to Permanent Residency or Citizenship
Rank 6 globally 92
Family Reunification
Rank 112 globally 66
Naturalization Requirements
Rank 80 globally 72
Residence Status Stability
Rank 131 globally 58
Residence Status for Spouses and Children
Rank 119 globally 59
Passport Power (Henley Index)
Rank 127 globally 41
Dual Citizenship Allowed
Rank 32 globally 95
Citizenship by Investment
Rank 13 globally 0

Language & Integration

7 indicators

50
/ 100
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English Proficiency (EF EPI)
Rank 148 globally 39
Local Language Barrier
Rank 146 globally 48
Integration Ease
Rank 125 globally 62
Cultural Etiquette Gap
Rank 126 globally 59
Expat Community Size
Rank 109 globally 38
Cultural Distance to West
Rank 139 globally 58
International Schools
Rank 112 globally 44
63
/ 100
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Expat Welcome Culture
Rank 83 globally 68
Foreigner Discrimination
Rank 84 globally 57
Xenophobia Levels
Rank 76 globally 67
Racial Safety for Foreigners
Rank 94 globally 57
47
/ 100
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Rental Access for Foreigners
Rank 126 globally 54
Tax Residency Clarity for Expats
Rank 206 globally 24
Local Contracts and Utilities Access
Rank 127 globally 54
Local Identity and Address Proof
Rank 146 globally 48
Everyday Accounts and Payments for Foreigners
Rank 126 globally 58
๐Ÿ–๏ธ Travel & Vacation ShowHide
58
/ 100
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Hotel Quality
Rank 120 globally 55
Vacation Rental Quality
Rank 119 globally 57
Accommodation Availability
Rank 85 globally 59
Booking & Transparency
Rank 119 globally 59

Tourism Infrastructure

4 indicators

61
/ 100
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Airport-to-Destination Transfer
Rank 81 globally 57
Digital Travel Services
Rank 113 globally 59
Traveler Payment Infrastructure
Rank 123 globally 66
Tourist Information Quality
Rank 129 globally 61
64
/ 100
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Major Attractions Density
Rank 81 globally 52
Guided Tours & Bookable Experiences
Rank 118 globally 61
Tourist Outdoor Activities
Rank 20 globally 85
Nightlife & Entertainment for Visitors
Rank 83 globally 58
76
/ 100
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Tourist Beach Quality
Rank 91 globally 70
Swimming & Water Sports
Rank 82 globally 70
National Parks & Nature Access
Rank 16 globally 88

Vacation Costs

5 indicators

88
/ 100
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Hotel Cost
Rank 83 globally 88
Vacation Rental Cost
Rank 85 globally 88
Attraction Entry Cost
Rank 81 globally 89
Tour & Activity Cost
Rank 92 globally 88
Tourist Taxes & Fees
Rank 60 globally 87
79
/ 100
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High-Season Overcrowding
Rank 54 globally 89
Off-Season Usability
Rank 76 globally 73
Seasonal Capacity Shortage
Rank 109 globally 66
Seasonal Price Surcharges
Rank 38 globally 87
๐ŸŒ Society & Participation ShowHide

Society & Freedom

4 indicators

61
/ 100
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Press Freedom
Rank 120 globally 56
Democracy Index
Rank 133 globally 56
Personal Freedom
Rank 106 globally 67
Freedom of Political Expression
Rank 111 globally 62

Education & Knowledge

5 indicators

65
/ 100
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Adult Literacy Rate
Rank 138 globally 94
PISA Score
Rank 106 globally 40
Tertiary Enrollment Rate
Rank 112 globally 43
Education Expenditure
Rank 107 globally 73
School Life Expectancy
Rank 71 globally 75
36
/ 100
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Pension Replacement Rate (%)
Rank 91 globally 25
Unemployment Benefit Duration (months)
Rank 95 globally 25
Social Spending (% of GDP)
Rank 127 globally 27
Gini Index
Rank 121 globally 57
Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 157 globally 20
Housing Support Score
Rank 135 globally 35
Social Mobility Score
Rank 136 globally 41
Social Cohesion
Rank 139 globally 51
55
/ 100
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Gender Equality
Rank 133 globally 54
Womenโ€™s Rights & Equality
Rank 143 globally 49
Anti-Discrimination Protection
Rank 93 globally 56
Minority Rights Protection
Rank 73 globally 63
Everyday Discrimination Risk
Rank 83 globally 59

LGBTQ+ Friendliness

5 indicators

67
/ 100
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Same-Sex Legal Status
Rank 52 globally 89
LGBTQ+ Anti-Discrimination
Rank 73 globally 58
LGBTQ+ Social Acceptance
Rank 71 globally 62
LGBTQ+ Rights
Rank 70 globally 64
Pride Culture
Rank 69 globally 54
50
/ 100
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Disability Support Score
Rank 110 globally 48
Public Accessibility
Rank 115 globally 48
Digital Accessibility
Rank 109 globally 52
Inclusion in Education and Work
Rank 109 globally 56

Religion & Worldviews

4 indicators

65
/ 100
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Religious Freedom Index
Rank 77 globally 82
Secularization Score
Rank 87 globally 48
Religious Diversity Index
Rank 125 globally 35
Religious Influence in Public Life
Rank 69 globally 71

Demography

10 indicators

62
/ 100
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Median Age
Rank 85 globally 68
Fertility Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Population Growth
Rank 72 globally 50
Net Migration Rate
Rank 62 globally 57
Urbanization Rate
Rank 112 globally 59
Foreign Population Share
Rank 119 globally 40
Population Density
Rank 86 globally 62
Gender Ratio (F/100 M)
Rank 131 globally 50
Youth Gender Ratio (15-29)
Rank 53 globally 90
Single-Person Households
Rank 115 globally 28