Country profile

El Salvador: Costs, Safety, Relocation and Quality of Life

El Salvador is best read in the Nomadino comparison through the lens of everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as taxes, capital access and financial conditions. The current data points to a mixed overall picture; its strongest main categories are Costs and Finance & Taxes, while Personal Services, Dining & Going Out and Vacation Costs stand out at topic level. Before making a decision, check infrastructure, mobility and digital usability as well as social freedom, participation and openness more closely, because the largest deductions come from Basic Infrastructure & Logistics, LGBTQ+ Friendliness and Social System & Social Cohesion.

Overall rating 58.31 points
Global rank Rank 133 globally
Continental rank Rank 34 in North 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 El Salvador

Why is El Salvador especially relevant in this comparison?

The profile is shaped mainly by everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as taxes, capital access and financial conditions; its strongest main categories are Costs and Finance & Taxes.

Which topics stand out positively for El Salvador?

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

What should be checked before making a decision?

infrastructure, mobility and digital usability as well as social freedom, participation and openness deserve closer attention; the largest deductions come from Basic Infrastructure & Logistics, LGBTQ+ Friendliness and Social System & Social Cohesion.

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

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 El Salvador 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

El Salvador is especially useful to compare with United States, 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 taxes, capital access and financial conditions need to be weighed against different priorities; infrastructure, mobility and digital usability as well as social freedom, participation and openness still deserve closer attention.

Static comparisons

All ratings and indicators for El Salvador

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

52
/ 100
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Homicide Rate
Rank 172 globally 78
Petty Crime Index
Rank 196 globally 37
Women's Safety
Rank 181 globally 42
Organized Crime
Rank 163 globally 44
Kidnapping Risk
Rank 193 globally 54
BAC Limit (โ€ฐ)
Rank 123 globally 38
78
/ 100
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Active Conflicts & War Risk
Rank 161 globally 78
Political Violence
Rank 165 globally 68
Geopolitical Risk
Rank 137 globally 82
Terrorism Risk
Rank 1 globally 100

Natural Hazards

8 indicators

46
/ 100
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Flood Risk
Rank 74 globally 55
Storm Risk
Rank 88 globally 80
Earthquake Risk
Rank 220 globally 16
Drought Risk
Rank 122 globally 62
Wildfire Risk
Rank 181 globally 28
Landslide Risk
Rank 208 globally 28
Tsunami Risk
Rank 208 globally 22
Volcano Risk
Rank 210 globally 33

Privacy & Surveillance

6 indicators

60
/ 100
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State Surveillance
Rank 127 globally 61
Internet Censorship
Rank 127 globally 63
Internet Freedom
Rank 130 globally 59
Data Protection Laws
Rank 128 globally 48
VPN Access
Rank 122 globally 71
Cybercrime Risk
Rank 141 globally 54
42
/ 100
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Rule of Law
Rank 164 globally 41
Property Rights Security
Rank 134 globally 48
Corruption Perception
Rank 160 globally 33
Police Effectiveness
Rank 172 globally 45
Expropriation Risk
Rank 154 globally 42
Extradition Risk
Rank 99 globally 45

Long-Term Stability

4 indicators

54
/ 100
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Political Stability
Rank 175 globally 47
Economic Resilience
Rank 103 globally 61
Government Efficiency
Rank 144 globally 51
Climate Vulnerability
Rank 119 globally 56
โค๏ธ Health ShowHide

Healthcare & Access

12 indicators

58
/ 100
ShowHide
Healthcare Quality
Rank 127 globally 58
Universal Healthcare Coverage
Rank 141 globally 63
Emergency Care
Rank 132 globally 55
Medicine Access
Rank 143 globally 59
Hospital Infections & Patient Safety
Rank 138 globally 55
Health Insurance for Foreigners
Rank 109 globally 66
Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure
Rank 153 globally 59
Doctor Density
Rank 121 globally 47
Hospital Beds
Rank 171 globally 23
Healthcare Coverage (%)
Rank 167 globally 78
Specialist Visit Cost
Rank 97 globally 62
English-Speaking Doctors
Rank 151 globally 45

Environmental Health

6 indicators

54
/ 100
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Fine Particulate Matter Exposure (PM2.5)
Rank 124 globally 67
Noise Pollution
Rank 148 globally 48
UV Radiation
Rank 225 globally 12
Tap Water Safety
Rank 109 globally 85
Sanitation
Rank 162 globally 44
Waste Management
Rank 134 globally 33
67
/ 100
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Life Expectancy
Rank 139 globally 64
Infectious Diseases
Rank 141 globally 68
Obesity Rate
Rank 177 globally 60
Infant Mortality (per 1,000)
Rank 102 globally 51
Mental Health
Rank 151 globally 58
Suicide Rate
Rank 112 globally 58
Maternal Mortality
Rank 119 globally 62
Vaccination Rate
Rank 63 globally 95
Alcohol & Tobacco Consumption
Rank 40 globally 81
Drug and Substance-Use Burden
Rank 15 globally 90
๐Ÿ’ธ Finance & Taxes ShowHide

Taxes & Finance

10 indicators

77
/ 100
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Effective Income Tax Rate (%)
Rank 89 globally 87
Top Income Tax Rate
Rank 98 globally 56
Social Security Burden
Rank 106 globally 75
VAT / GST Rate
Rank 88 globally 59
Capital Gains Tax
Rank 1 globally 100
Dividend Tax Rate
Rank 67 globally 89
Inheritance / Estate Tax
Rank 1 globally 100
Territorial Tax System
Rank 20 globally 98
Tax Filing Effort (hours/year)
Rank 160 globally 55
Double Taxation Agreements
Rank 152 globally 12
56
/ 100
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Capital Flow Freedom
Rank 161 globally 59
Capital Market Depth
Rank 142 globally 58
Business Credit Access
Rank 115 globally 60
Investor Protection
Rank 137 globally 47
Foreign Investment Openness
Rank 116 globally 57
Currency Convertibility & Transferability
Rank 127 globally 69
Venture Capital & Startup Financing
Rank 149 globally 45
Alternative Financing Access
Rank 136 globally 50

Banking & Fintech

8 indicators

68
/ 100
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Expat Banking Ease
Rank 89 globally 47
Banking Stability
Rank 43 globally 82
SWIFT / Wire Access
Rank 107 globally 81
Fintech Development
Rank 148 globally 44
ATM Availability
Rank 104 globally 77
Banking Secrecy Index
Rank 27 globally 55
Automatic Tax Information Exchange
Rank 15 globally 93
Cash Transaction Limit
Rank 1 globally 100

Bitcoin & Crypto

6 indicators

80
/ 100
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Crypto Adoption
Rank 36 globally 59
Crypto Regulation
Rank 23 globally 78
Legal Status
Rank 18 globally 84
Bitcoin Merchant Acceptance
Rank 1 globally 90
Crypto Tax Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Bitcoin Cash Access
Rank 3 globally 86

Real Estate & Property

4 indicators

79
/ 100
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Foreigner Ownership Rights
Rank 43 globally 80
Transaction Costs
Rank 25 globally 88
Affordability
Rank 75 globally 75
Gross Rental Yield
Rank 50 globally 74
39
/ 100
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Corporate Tax Rate
Rank 176 globally 25
Cost to Start a Business
Rank 186 globally 36
Labor Market Flexibility
Rank 161 globally 52
Days to Register a Company
Rank 149 globally 46

Macroeconomics

9 indicators

67
/ 100
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GDP per Capita (PPP, USD)
Rank 144 globally 52
Inflation Rate (CPI, %)
Rank 1 globally 100
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Rank 179 globally 39
GDP Growth Rate (%)
Rank 131 globally 80
Economic Freedom Index
Rank 143 globally 54
Tax Burden (% of GDP)
Rank 48 globally 97
Central Bank Independence
Rank 146 globally 61
Foreign Exchange Reserves (months of imports)
Rank 176 globally 37
Current Account Balance (% of GDP)
Rank 121 globally 73
51
/ 100
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Avg. Monthly Net Salary ($/month)
Rank 128 globally 34
Purchasing Power Index
Rank 136 globally 28
Unemployment Rate (%)
Rank 55 globally 88
Wage Growth Rate (%)
Rank 17 globally 92
Salary-to-Rent Ratio
Rank 99 globally 67
Minimum Wage (USD/month)
Rank 111 globally 40
๐Ÿ  Costs ShowHide

Housing & Utilities

5 indicators

66
/ 100
ShowHide
City Rent per Square Meter
Rank 70 globally 54
Rural Rent per Square Meter
Rank 82 globally 64
Electricity Cost
Rank 164 globally 51
Heating & Gas Cost
Rank 27 globally 99
Water & Sewage Cost
Rank 75 globally 96

Food & Basic Goods

7 indicators

81
/ 100
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Milk Price per Liter
Rank 46 globally 76
Bread Price per 500 Grams
Rank 72 globally 79
Egg Price for 12 Eggs
Rank 51 globally 83
Chicken Fillet Price per Kilogram
Rank 44 globally 84
Beef Round Price per Kilogram
Rank 52 globally 78
Vegetable Basket Price per Kilogram
Rank 63 globally 86
Water Price per Liter in Supermarket
Rank 77 globally 76

Dining & Going Out

9 indicators

87
/ 100
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Price of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal
Rank 53 globally 84
Burger Menu Price
Rank 70 globally 95
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

80
/ 100
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Transit Cost
Rank 46 globally 96
Fuel Price ($/L)
Rank 53 globally 74
Car Rental ($/day)
Rank 69 globally 89
Car Insurance ($/yr)
Rank 76 globally 95
Car Purchase Index
Rank 130 globally 5
Driving License Cost ($)
Rank 82 globally 95
City Parking ($/hr)
Rank 69 globally 94
77
/ 100
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Internet Cost
Rank 74 globally 70
Mobile Plan Cost
Rank 65 globally 78
Prepaid SIM & Data Package Cost
Rank 96 globally 84
eSIM & Travel Data Cost
Rank 81 globally 91
Coworking Day Pass Cost
Rank 64 globally 72

Personal Services

4 indicators

88
/ 100
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Haircut Cost
Rank 86 globally 86
Fitness Club Monthly Fee
Rank 70 globally 92
Laundry & Dry Cleaning Cost
Rank 66 globally 90
Local Services Cost
Rank 84 globally 84
๐Ÿ—๏ธ Infrastructure ShowHide
25
/ 100
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Logistics Performance
Rank 99 globally 31
Rail Network Density
Rank 134 globally 1
Airport Connectivity
Rank 96 globally 43
Port Connectivity
Rank 92 globally 22
49
/ 100
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Road Quality
Rank 83 globally 55
Traffic Congestion
Rank 176 globally 38
Road Density
Rank 98 globally 60
Traffic Deaths
Rank 127 globally 69
EV Charging Infrastructure
Rank 141 globally 5

Electricity & Energy

6 indicators

74
/ 100
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Power Outages
Rank 127 globally 82
Electrification Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Energy Self-Sufficiency
Rank 119 globally 40
Renewable Energy Share
Rank 45 globally 65
CO2 Intensity
Rank 62 globally 57
Nuclear Exposure
Rank 1 globally 100
38
/ 100
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Broadband Speed
Rank 131 globally 46
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions
Rank 127 globally 31
Mobile Speed
Rank 123 globally 51
5G Coverage
Rank 113 globally 10

Public Transport

4 indicators

42
/ 100
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Transit Coverage
Rank 98 globally 48
Transit Punctuality
Rank 120 globally 52
Cycling Infrastructure
Rank 111 globally 12
Walkability Score
Rank 104 globally 52
๐ŸŒฟ Lifestyle ShowHide

Work-Life Balance

5 indicators

46
/ 100
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Annual Working Hours
Rank 206 globally 32
Paid Vacation Days
Rank 129 globally 50
Happiness Index (UN)
Rank 67 globally 64
Burnout Risk
Rank 156 globally 42
Public Holidays
Rank 136 globally 44

Climate & Weather

6 indicators

80
/ 100
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Temperature Comfort
Rank 20 globally 78
Sunshine Hours
Rank 44 globally 91
Humidity Comfort
Rank 104 globally 66
Rainy Days
Rank 118 globally 64
Extreme Heat Days
Rank 53 globally 94
Seasonal Variation
Rank 80 globally 90

Outdoor & Lifestyle

5 indicators

48
/ 100
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Beach Quality
Rank 105 globally 61
Mountain Access
Rank 88 globally 45
Protected Land Area (%)
Rank 176 globally 28
Biodiversity Index
Rank 109 globally 63
Forest Cover
Rank 123 globally 37

Leisure & Recreation

4 indicators

44
/ 100
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Sports & Fitness Facilities
Rank 125 globally 36
Urban Green Space Access
Rank 164 globally 47
Leisure Infrastructure
Rank 111 globally 39
Recovery Time
Rank 194 globally 55

Arts & Entertainment

6 indicators

36
/ 100
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Museums per 100,000 People
Rank 114 globally 29
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Rank 136 globally 10
Music & Nightlife
Rank 94 globally 42
Cinema Density
Rank 93 globally 24
Cultural Freedom
Rank 107 globally 55
Football and Stadium Culture
Rank 99 globally 66
44
/ 100
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Cuisine Diversity
Rank 93 globally 42
Restaurant Density
Rank 94 globally 48
Street Food Scene
Rank 94 globally 44
Local Market Quality
Rank 113 globally 47
Cafรฉ Culture
Rank 108 globally 40
Local Freshness
Rank 123 globally 49
Local Authenticity
Rank 105 globally 40

Family-Friendly

7 indicators

47
/ 100
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Childcare Cost ($/month)
Rank 111 globally 92
Paid Parental Leave (weeks)
Rank 97 globally 31
Child Benefit ($/month)
Rank 81 globally 24
Child Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 117 globally 71
Child Safety Score
Rank 159 globally 50
Childcare Coverage (%)
Rank 115 globally 18
Playground Density
Rank 134 globally 40

Pet-Friendly

7 indicators

55
/ 100
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Pet Entry Rules
Rank 68 globally 60
Veterinary Quality
Rank 122 globally 50
Vet Cost Affordability
Rank 59 globally 70
Pet Food Prices
Rank 63 globally 65
Animal Welfare Laws
Rank 109 globally 40
Pet-Friendly Housing
Rank 105 globally 50
Outdoor Pet Access
Rank 118 globally 50
โœˆ๏ธ Relocation & Residency ShowHide
61
/ 100
ShowHide
Residence Permit Ease
Rank 120 globally 68
E-Government
Rank 133 globally 64
Visa Processing Time
Rank 27 globally 70
Local Registration Requirements
Rank 137 globally 56
Foreign Document & Qualification Recognition
Rank 141 globally 54
Household Goods & Customs
Rank 117 globally 44
International Licence Compatibility
Rank 127 globally 57
70
/ 100
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Visa-Free Tourist Stay Days
Rank 38 globally 75
Visa Application Ease
Rank 125 globally 62
Border Openness
Rank 113 globally 67
Travel & Entry Comfort
Rank 115 globally 57
Visa Income & Asset Requirements
Rank 28 globally 94
48
/ 100
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Digital Nomad Visa
Rank 115 globally 40
Remote Work Legality
Rank 80 globally 62
Freelance Legal Framework
Rank 158 globally 53
Remote Job Market
Rank 139 globally 53
Coworking Density
Rank 104 globally 43
Nomad Community
Rank 121 globally 38
Avg. Remote Salary (USD)
Rank 138 globally 45
58
/ 100
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Work Rights for Foreigners
Rank 120 globally 59
Work Permit Access for Foreigners
Rank 122 globally 61
Local Self-Employment and Freelancing Rights
Rank 134 globally 55
Employment Restrictions for Foreigners
Rank 129 globally 55
Professional Qualification Recognition
Rank 144 globally 52
Business Ownership by Foreigners
Rank 113 globally 65
54
/ 100
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Time to Permanent Residency or Citizenship
Rank 124 globally 42
Family Reunification
Rank 133 globally 57
Naturalization Requirements
Rank 140 globally 54
Residence Status Stability
Rank 135 globally 57
Residence Status for Spouses and Children
Rank 135 globally 54
Passport Power (Henley Index)
Rank 101 globally 64
Dual Citizenship Allowed
Rank 57 globally 90
Citizenship by Investment
Rank 13 globally 0

Language & Integration

7 indicators

42
/ 100
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English Proficiency (EF EPI)
Rank 177 globally 30
Local Language Barrier
Rank 172 globally 40
Integration Ease
Rank 169 globally 55
Cultural Etiquette Gap
Rank 146 globally 55
Expat Community Size
Rank 197 globally 23
Cultural Distance to West
Rank 150 globally 54
International Schools
Rank 165 globally 36
45
/ 100
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Expat Welcome Culture
Rank 140 globally 49
Foreigner Discrimination
Rank 134 globally 41
Xenophobia Levels
Rank 132 globally 47
Racial Safety for Foreigners
Rank 131 globally 44
52
/ 100
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Rental Access for Foreigners
Rank 140 globally 49
Tax Residency Clarity for Expats
Rank 102 globally 50
Local Contracts and Utilities Access
Rank 135 globally 53
Local Identity and Address Proof
Rank 136 globally 51
Everyday Accounts and Payments for Foreigners
Rank 120 globally 59
๐Ÿ–๏ธ Travel & Vacation ShowHide
53
/ 100
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Hotel Quality
Rank 129 globally 52
Vacation Rental Quality
Rank 135 globally 53
Accommodation Availability
Rank 108 globally 52
Booking & Transparency
Rank 131 globally 56

Tourism Infrastructure

4 indicators

57
/ 100
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Airport-to-Destination Transfer
Rank 107 globally 49
Digital Travel Services
Rank 128 globally 55
Traveler Payment Infrastructure
Rank 123 globally 66
Tourist Information Quality
Rank 145 globally 57
52
/ 100
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Major Attractions Density
Rank 129 globally 42
Guided Tours & Bookable Experiences
Rank 133 globally 57
Tourist Outdoor Activities
Rank 139 globally 58
Nightlife & Entertainment for Visitors
Rank 110 globally 51
60
/ 100
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Tourist Beach Quality
Rank 110 globally 66
Swimming & Water Sports
Rank 123 globally 60
National Parks & Nature Access
Rank 153 globally 53

Vacation Costs

5 indicators

81
/ 100
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Hotel Cost
Rank 134 globally 77
Vacation Rental Cost
Rank 135 globally 77
Attraction Entry Cost
Rank 62 globally 91
Tour & Activity Cost
Rank 71 globally 90
Tourist Taxes & Fees
Rank 167 globally 70
75
/ 100
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High-Season Overcrowding
Rank 90 globally 86
Off-Season Usability
Rank 120 globally 67
Seasonal Capacity Shortage
Rank 109 globally 66
Seasonal Price Surcharges
Rank 136 globally 81
๐ŸŒ Society & Participation ShowHide

Society & Freedom

4 indicators

58
/ 100
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Press Freedom
Rank 121 globally 55
Democracy Index
Rank 126 globally 58
Personal Freedom
Rank 114 globally 65
Freedom of Political Expression
Rank 142 globally 50

Education & Knowledge

5 indicators

55
/ 100
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Adult Literacy Rate
Rank 149 globally 90
PISA Score
Rank 138 globally 32
Tertiary Enrollment Rate
Rank 147 globally 28
Education Expenditure
Rank 150 globally 60
School Life Expectancy
Rank 145 globally 65
32
/ 100
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Pension Replacement Rate (%)
Rank 148 globally 8
Unemployment Benefit Duration (months)
Rank 95 globally 25
Social Spending (% of GDP)
Rank 127 globally 27
Gini Index
Rank 143 globally 51
Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 144 globally 25
Housing Support Score
Rank 146 globally 32
Social Mobility Score
Rank 152 globally 37
Social Cohesion
Rank 144 globally 49
48
/ 100
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Gender Equality
Rank 139 globally 52
Womenโ€™s Rights & Equality
Rank 148 globally 48
Anti-Discrimination Protection
Rank 135 globally 44
Minority Rights Protection
Rank 127 globally 45
Everyday Discrimination Risk
Rank 134 globally 45

LGBTQ+ Friendliness

5 indicators

32
/ 100
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Same-Sex Legal Status
Rank 135 globally 25
LGBTQ+ Anti-Discrimination
Rank 131 globally 34
LGBTQ+ Social Acceptance
Rank 126 globally 39
LGBTQ+ Rights
Rank 138 globally 31
Pride Culture
Rank 120 globally 29
46
/ 100
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Disability Support Score
Rank 138 globally 42
Public Accessibility
Rank 123 globally 46
Digital Accessibility
Rank 122 globally 48
Inclusion in Education and Work
Rank 127 globally 51

Religion & Worldviews

4 indicators

63
/ 100
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Religious Freedom Index
Rank 99 globally 79
Secularization Score
Rank 105 globally 44
Religious Diversity Index
Rank 103 globally 38
Religious Influence in Public Life
Rank 94 globally 69

Demography

10 indicators

57
/ 100
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Median Age
Rank 85 globally 68
Fertility Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Population Growth
Rank 154 globally 30
Net Migration Rate
Rank 214 globally 30
Urbanization Rate
Rank 86 globally 69
Foreign Population Share
Rank 216 globally 23
Population Density
Rank 185 globally 45
Gender Ratio (F/100 M)
Rank 29 globally 67
Youth Gender Ratio (15-29)
Rank 2 globally 97
Single-Person Households
Rank 115 globally 28