Country profile

Estonia: Costs, Safety, Relocation and Quality of Life

Estonia is especially relevant in the Nomadino comparison when comparing residence, visas and settling abroad as well as safety, stability and risk exposure. The current data points to a strong overall picture; its strongest main categories are Relocation & Residency and Safety & Risk, while Work & Self-Employment Abroad, Residency & Bureaucracy and Daily Life for Foreigners stand out at topic level. Before making a decision, check everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as climate, leisure, nature and day-to-day lifestyle more closely, because the largest deductions come from Food & Basic Goods, Housing & Utilities and Outdoor & Lifestyle.

Overall rating 76.41 points
Global rank Rank 5 globally
Continental rank Rank 5 in Europe

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 Estonia

Why is Estonia especially relevant in this comparison?

The profile is shaped mainly by residence, visas and settling abroad as well as safety, stability and risk exposure; its strongest main categories are Relocation & Residency and Safety & Risk.

Which topics stand out positively for Estonia?

Work & Self-Employment Abroad, Residency & Bureaucracy and Daily Life for Foreigners show the strongest topic-level results.

What should be checked before making a decision?

everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as climate, leisure, nature and day-to-day lifestyle deserve closer attention; the largest deductions come from Food & Basic Goods, Housing & Utilities and Outdoor & Lifestyle.

How important is relocation, residence and settling in for Estonia?

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 Estonia 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

Under the bottom-three rules, no explicit weakness is currently shown.

Comparisons and related countries

Estonia is especially useful to compare with Spain, Germany and Denmark, because those countries sit closer to its overall rating profile. United States and Portugal work as contrast comparisons when residence, visas and settling abroad as well as safety, stability and risk exposure need to be weighed against different priorities; everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as climate, leisure, nature and day-to-day lifestyle still deserve closer attention.

Frequently asked questions: Estonia

Estonia: what does Nomadino say about moving there?

It depends on the goal: Nomadino currently shows a strong profile for Estonia. The most relevant areas are Relocation & Residency and Safety & Risk; Costs and Lifestyle deserve closer checking.

Estonia: what is the cost profile?

The Costs category currently stands at 61 out of 100 points. High values mean lower or more manageable everyday cost conditions. The details are linked in the cost ranking.

Estonia: what is the safety profile?

The Safety & Risk category currently stands at 82 out of 100 points. High values mean a more favorable safety and risk profile. The individual topics are linked in the safety ranking.

All ratings and indicators for Estonia

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

82
/ 100
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Homicide Rate
Rank 76 globally 92
Petty Crime Index
Rank 31 globally 76
Women's Safety
Rank 33 globally 76
Organized Crime
Rank 30 globally 68
Kidnapping Risk
Rank 17 globally 92
BAC Limit (โ€ฐ)
Rank 1 globally 100
84
/ 100
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Active Conflicts & War Risk
Rank 150 globally 82
Political Violence
Rank 57 globally 85
Geopolitical Risk
Rank 149 globally 80
Terrorism Risk
Rank 1 globally 100

Natural Hazards

8 indicators

81
/ 100
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Flood Risk
Rank 69 globally 56
Storm Risk
Rank 104 globally 76
Earthquake Risk
Rank 1 globally 96
Drought Risk
Rank 11 globally 88
Wildfire Risk
Rank 40 globally 81
Landslide Risk
Rank 14 globally 88
Tsunami Risk
Rank 46 globally 92
Volcano Risk
Rank 1 globally 100

Privacy & Surveillance

6 indicators

90
/ 100
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State Surveillance
Rank 13 globally 87
Internet Censorship
Rank 9 globally 92
Internet Freedom
Rank 2 globally 95
Data Protection Laws
Rank 12 globally 92
VPN Access
Rank 13 globally 92
Cybercrime Risk
Rank 14 globally 78
79
/ 100
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Rule of Law
Rank 19 globally 82
Property Rights Security
Rank 18 globally 82
Corruption Perception
Rank 18 globally 77
Police Effectiveness
Rank 22 globally 82
Expropriation Risk
Rank 26 globally 82
Extradition Risk
Rank 193 globally 33

Long-Term Stability

4 indicators

78
/ 100
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Political Stability
Rank 31 globally 78
Economic Resilience
Rank 44 globally 71
Government Efficiency
Rank 14 globally 85
Climate Vulnerability
Rank 13 globally 79
โค๏ธ Health ShowHide

Healthcare & Access

12 indicators

77
/ 100
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Healthcare Quality
Rank 24 globally 78
Universal Healthcare Coverage
Rank 58 globally 78
Emergency Care
Rank 23 globally 79
Medicine Access
Rank 30 globally 79
Hospital Infections & Patient Safety
Rank 22 globally 82
Health Insurance for Foreigners
Rank 21 globally 78
Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure
Rank 100 globally 73
Doctor Density
Rank 48 globally 74
Hospital Beds
Rank 43 globally 59
Healthcare Coverage (%)
Rank 60 globally 97
Specialist Visit Cost
Rank 148 globally 44
English-Speaking Doctors
Rank 43 globally 70

Environmental Health

6 indicators

91
/ 100
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Fine Particulate Matter Exposure (PM2.5)
Rank 12 globally 97
Noise Pollution
Rank 28 globally 72
UV Radiation
Rank 4 globally 90
Tap Water Safety
Rank 29 globally 99
Sanitation
Rank 52 globally 92
Waste Management
Rank 29 globally 82
78
/ 100
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Life Expectancy
Rank 59 globally 84
Infectious Diseases
Rank 51 globally 85
Obesity Rate
Rank 84 globally 75
Infant Mortality (per 1,000)
Rank 2 globally 91
Mental Health
Rank 74 globally 68
Suicide Rate
Rank 184 globally 44
Maternal Mortality
Rank 1 globally 100
Vaccination Rate
Rank 176 globally 81
Alcohol & Tobacco Consumption
Rank 214 globally 37
Drug and Substance-Use Burden
Rank 196 globally 64
๐Ÿ’ธ Finance & Taxes ShowHide

Taxes & Finance

10 indicators

60
/ 100
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Effective Income Tax Rate (%)
Rank 206 globally 53
Top Income Tax Rate
Rank 68 globally 71
Social Security Burden
Rank 197 globally 48
VAT / GST Rate
Rank 220 globally 24
Capital Gains Tax
Rank 188 globally 54
Dividend Tax Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Inheritance / Estate Tax
Rank 1 globally 100
Territorial Tax System
Rank 97 globally 25
Tax Filing Effort (hours/year)
Rank 7 globally 92
Double Taxation Agreements
Rank 47 globally 74
75
/ 100
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Capital Flow Freedom
Rank 81 globally 67
Capital Market Depth
Rank 68 globally 70
Business Credit Access
Rank 17 globally 81
Investor Protection
Rank 12 globally 81
Foreign Investment Openness
Rank 11 globally 82
Currency Convertibility & Transferability
Rank 175 globally 63
Venture Capital & Startup Financing
Rank 19 globally 80
Alternative Financing Access
Rank 9 globally 85

Banking & Fintech

8 indicators

76
/ 100
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Expat Banking Ease
Rank 3 globally 83
Banking Stability
Rank 80 globally 78
SWIFT / Wire Access
Rank 22 globally 90
Fintech Development
Rank 3 globally 97
ATM Availability
Rank 70 globally 82
Banking Secrecy Index
Rank 220 globally 28
Automatic Tax Information Exchange
Rank 176 globally 5
Cash Transaction Limit
Rank 1 globally 100

Bitcoin & Crypto

6 indicators

67
/ 100
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Crypto Adoption
Rank 23 globally 71
Crypto Regulation
Rank 8 globally 82
Legal Status
Rank 8 globally 89
Bitcoin Merchant Acceptance
Rank 29 globally 40
Crypto Tax Rate
Rank 137 globally 56
Bitcoin Cash Access
Rank 22 globally 38

Real Estate & Property

4 indicators

77
/ 100
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Foreigner Ownership Rights
Rank 24 globally 85
Transaction Costs
Rank 30 globally 85
Affordability
Rank 87 globally 70
Gross Rental Yield
Rank 74 globally 68
65
/ 100
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Corporate Tax Rate
Rank 86 globally 45
Cost to Start a Business
Rank 55 globally 85
Labor Market Flexibility
Rank 88 globally 59
Days to Register a Company
Rank 16 globally 76

Macroeconomics

9 indicators

74
/ 100
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GDP per Capita (PPP, USD)
Rank 53 globally 78
Inflation Rate (CPI, %)
Rank 160 globally 76
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Rank 34 globally 84
GDP Growth Rate (%)
Rank 208 globally 54
Economic Freedom Index
Rank 11 globally 79
Tax Burden (% of GDP)
Rank 24 globally 98
Central Bank Independence
Rank 42 globally 79
Foreign Exchange Reserves (months of imports)
Rank 215 globally 14
Current Account Balance (% of GDP)
Rank 109 globally 75
67
/ 100
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Avg. Monthly Net Salary ($/month)
Rank 53 globally 67
Purchasing Power Index
Rank 63 globally 56
Unemployment Rate (%)
Rank 156 globally 61
Wage Growth Rate (%)
Rank 54 globally 79
Salary-to-Rent Ratio
Rank 48 globally 83
Minimum Wage (USD/month)
Rank 65 globally 63
๐Ÿ  Costs ShowHide

Housing & Utilities

5 indicators

44
/ 100
ShowHide
City Rent per Square Meter
Rank 159 globally 33
Rural Rent per Square Meter
Rank 150 globally 48
Electricity Cost
Rank 189 globally 42
Heating & Gas Cost
Rank 211 globally 44
Water & Sewage Cost
Rank 196 globally 76

Food & Basic Goods

7 indicators

43
/ 100
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Milk Price per Liter
Rank 84 globally 56
Bread Price per 500 Grams
Rank 142 globally 46
Egg Price for 12 Eggs
Rank 152 globally 39
Chicken Fillet Price per Kilogram
Rank 192 globally 35
Beef Round Price per Kilogram
Rank 216 globally 18
Vegetable Basket Price per Kilogram
Rank 153 globally 49
Water Price per Liter in Supermarket
Rank 168 globally 43

Dining & Going Out

9 indicators

69
/ 100
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Price of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal
Rank 151 globally 49
Burger Menu Price
Rank 155 globally 64
Cappuccino (Cafรฉ)
Rank 135 globally 70
Local Beer (Restaurant)
Rank 111 globally 78
Local Beer Price in a Market
Rank 109 globally 89
Imported Beer Price in a Market
Rank 81 globally 86
Cocktail (Bar)
Rank 121 globally 75
Mid-Range Wine Bottle Price
Rank 69 globally 78
Soft Drink Price in a Market
Rank 148 globally 71

Mobility Costs

7 indicators

62
/ 100
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Transit Cost
Rank 183 globally 64
Fuel Price ($/L)
Rank 186 globally 43
Car Rental ($/day)
Rank 133 globally 79
Car Insurance ($/yr)
Rank 150 globally 84
Car Purchase Index
Rank 53 globally 39
Driving License Cost ($)
Rank 208 globally 48
City Parking ($/hr)
Rank 174 globally 78
84
/ 100
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Internet Cost
Rank 32 globally 84
Mobile Plan Cost
Rank 49 globally 84
Prepaid SIM & Data Package Cost
Rank 61 globally 90
eSIM & Travel Data Cost
Rank 37 globally 97
Coworking Day Pass Cost
Rank 81 globally 68

Personal Services

4 indicators

66
/ 100
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Haircut Cost
Rank 149 globally 63
Fitness Club Monthly Fee
Rank 144 globally 69
Laundry & Dry Cleaning Cost
Rank 131 globally 71
Local Services Cost
Rank 148 globally 60
๐Ÿ—๏ธ Infrastructure ShowHide
66
/ 100
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Logistics Performance
Rank 33 globally 66
Rail Network Density
Rank 22 globally 79
Airport Connectivity
Rank 27 globally 77
Port Connectivity
Rank 74 globally 28
75
/ 100
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Road Quality
Rank 36 globally 78
Traffic Congestion
Rank 74 globally 60
Road Density
Rank 46 globally 71
Traffic Deaths
Rank 35 globally 89
EV Charging Infrastructure
Rank 17 globally 79

Electricity & Energy

6 indicators

75
/ 100
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Power Outages
Rank 40 globally 97
Electrification Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Energy Self-Sufficiency
Rank 92 globally 55
Renewable Energy Share
Rank 116 globally 30
CO2 Intensity
Rank 87 globally 50
Nuclear Exposure
Rank 1 globally 100
82
/ 100
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Broadband Speed
Rank 29 globally 85
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions
Rank 40 globally 89
Mobile Speed
Rank 33 globally 80
5G Coverage
Rank 27 globally 65

Public Transport

4 indicators

73
/ 100
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Transit Coverage
Rank 28 globally 75
Transit Punctuality
Rank 17 globally 82
Cycling Infrastructure
Rank 14 globally 62
Walkability Score
Rank 21 globally 72
๐ŸŒฟ Lifestyle ShowHide

Work-Life Balance

5 indicators

69
/ 100
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Annual Working Hours
Rank 36 globally 72
Paid Vacation Days
Rank 21 globally 93
Happiness Index (UN)
Rank 76 globally 63
Burnout Risk
Rank 35 globally 68
Public Holidays
Rank 92 globally 48

Climate & Weather

6 indicators

57
/ 100
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Temperature Comfort
Rank 206 globally 32
Sunshine Hours
Rank 202 globally 58
Humidity Comfort
Rank 155 globally 56
Rainy Days
Rank 134 globally 61
Extreme Heat Days
Rank 1 globally 100
Seasonal Variation
Rank 211 globally 48

Outdoor & Lifestyle

5 indicators

45
/ 100
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Beach Quality
Rank 170 globally 36
Mountain Access
Rank 206 globally 5
Protected Land Area (%)
Rank 83 globally 72
Biodiversity Index
Rank 157 globally 53
Forest Cover
Rank 37 globally 76

Leisure & Recreation

4 indicators

80
/ 100
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Sports & Fitness Facilities
Rank 27 globally 76
Urban Green Space Access
Rank 22 globally 83
Leisure Infrastructure
Rank 30 globally 75
Recovery Time
Rank 26 globally 87

Arts & Entertainment

6 indicators

65
/ 100
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Museums per 100,000 People
Rank 21 globally 84
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Rank 85 globally 22
Music & Nightlife
Rank 34 globally 62
Cinema Density
Rank 23 globally 68
Cultural Freedom
Rank 9 globally 88
Football and Stadium Culture
Rank 84 globally 69
51
/ 100
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Cuisine Diversity
Rank 93 globally 42
Restaurant Density
Rank 78 globally 53
Street Food Scene
Rank 107 globally 41
Local Market Quality
Rank 62 globally 59
Cafรฉ Culture
Rank 64 globally 52
Local Freshness
Rank 49 globally 69
Local Authenticity
Rank 105 globally 40

Family-Friendly

7 indicators

77
/ 100
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Childcare Cost ($/month)
Rank 128 globally 88
Paid Parental Leave (weeks)
Rank 1 globally 100
Child Benefit ($/month)
Rank 25 globally 59
Child Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 30 globally 89
Child Safety Score
Rank 12 globally 88
Childcare Coverage (%)
Rank 64 globally 30
Playground Density
Rank 23 globally 82

Pet-Friendly

7 indicators

69
/ 100
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Pet Entry Rules
Rank 15 globally 88
Veterinary Quality
Rank 29 globally 82
Vet Cost Affordability
Rank 142 globally 50
Pet Food Prices
Rank 133 globally 52
Animal Welfare Laws
Rank 32 globally 72
Pet-Friendly Housing
Rank 25 globally 60
Outdoor Pet Access
Rank 22 globally 78
โœˆ๏ธ Relocation & Residency ShowHide
96
/ 100
ShowHide
Residence Permit Ease
Rank 1 globally 100
E-Government
Rank 2 globally 97
Visa Processing Time
Rank 1 globally 100
Local Registration Requirements
Rank 1 globally 100
Foreign Document & Qualification Recognition
Rank 10 globally 93
Household Goods & Customs
Rank 21 globally 82
International Licence Compatibility
Rank 21 globally 93
90
/ 100
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Visa-Free Tourist Stay Days
Rank 38 globally 75
Visa Application Ease
Rank 1 globally 100
Border Openness
Rank 16 globally 96
Travel & Entry Comfort
Rank 7 globally 94
Visa Income & Asset Requirements
Rank 117 globally 88
88
/ 100
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Digital Nomad Visa
Rank 1 globally 100
Remote Work Legality
Rank 25 globally 78
Freelance Legal Framework
Rank 10 globally 93
Remote Job Market
Rank 14 globally 89
Coworking Density
Rank 15 globally 87
Nomad Community
Rank 14 globally 86
Avg. Remote Salary (USD)
Rank 43 globally 79
97
/ 100
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Work Rights for Foreigners
Rank 1 globally 100
Work Permit Access for Foreigners
Rank 1 globally 100
Local Self-Employment and Freelancing Rights
Rank 8 globally 90
Employment Restrictions for Foreigners
Rank 4 globally 99
Professional Qualification Recognition
Rank 8 globally 95
Business Ownership by Foreigners
Rank 5 globally 97
84
/ 100
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Time to Permanent Residency or Citizenship
Rank 10 globally 80
Family Reunification
Rank 2 globally 99
Naturalization Requirements
Rank 28 globally 80
Residence Status Stability
Rank 1 globally 100
Residence Status for Spouses and Children
Rank 5 globally 98
Passport Power (Henley Index)
Rank 57 globally 93
Dual Citizenship Allowed
Rank 178 globally 60
Citizenship by Investment
Rank 13 globally 0

Language & Integration

7 indicators

68
/ 100
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English Proficiency (EF EPI)
Rank 77 globally 64
Local Language Barrier
Rank 56 globally 69
Integration Ease
Rank 58 globally 74
Cultural Etiquette Gap
Rank 35 globally 81
Expat Community Size
Rank 51 globally 54
Cultural Distance to West
Rank 37 globally 79
International Schools
Rank 50 globally 55
80
/ 100
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Expat Welcome Culture
Rank 55 globally 74
Foreigner Discrimination
Rank 25 globally 85
Xenophobia Levels
Rank 29 globally 82
Racial Safety for Foreigners
Rank 25 globally 82
94
/ 100
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Rental Access for Foreigners
Rank 6 globally 93
Tax Residency Clarity for Expats
Rank 9 globally 87
Local Contracts and Utilities Access
Rank 2 globally 98
Local Identity and Address Proof
Rank 1 globally 100
Everyday Accounts and Payments for Foreigners
Rank 3 globally 98
๐Ÿ–๏ธ Travel & Vacation ShowHide
89
/ 100
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Hotel Quality
Rank 25 globally 85
Vacation Rental Quality
Rank 10 globally 96
Accommodation Availability
Rank 32 globally 76
Booking & Transparency
Rank 6 globally 97

Tourism Infrastructure

4 indicators

92
/ 100
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Airport-to-Destination Transfer
Rank 23 globally 85
Digital Travel Services
Rank 10 globally 93
Traveler Payment Infrastructure
Rank 3 globally 98
Tourist Information Quality
Rank 15 globally 92
74
/ 100
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Major Attractions Density
Rank 37 globally 66
Guided Tours & Bookable Experiences
Rank 26 globally 88
Tourist Outdoor Activities
Rank 95 globally 66
Nightlife & Entertainment for Visitors
Rank 38 globally 74
68
/ 100
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Tourist Beach Quality
Rank 131 globally 61
Swimming & Water Sports
Rank 67 globally 74
National Parks & Nature Access
Rank 85 globally 70

Vacation Costs

5 indicators

72
/ 100
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Hotel Cost
Rank 161 globally 70
Vacation Rental Cost
Rank 161 globally 71
Attraction Entry Cost
Rank 160 globally 71
Tour & Activity Cost
Rank 158 globally 73
Tourist Taxes & Fees
Rank 124 globally 76
89
/ 100
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High-Season Overcrowding
Rank 8 globally 96
Off-Season Usability
Rank 26 globally 85
Seasonal Capacity Shortage
Rank 18 globally 87
Seasonal Price Surcharges
Rank 81 globally 85
๐ŸŒ Society & Participation ShowHide

Society & Freedom

4 indicators

87
/ 100
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Press Freedom
Rank 5 globally 88
Democracy Index
Rank 22 globally 83
Personal Freedom
Rank 4 globally 87
Freedom of Political Expression
Rank 10 globally 93

Education & Knowledge

5 indicators

90
/ 100
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Adult Literacy Rate
Rank 4 globally 99
PISA Score
Rank 9 globally 84
Tertiary Enrollment Rate
Rank 13 globally 82
Education Expenditure
Rank 1 globally 100
School Life Expectancy
Rank 20 globally 85
72
/ 100
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Pension Replacement Rate (%)
Rank 26 globally 80
Unemployment Benefit Duration (months)
Rank 25 globally 50
Social Spending (% of GDP)
Rank 27 globally 67
Gini Index
Rank 33 globally 80
Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 43 globally 70
Housing Support Score
Rank 31 globally 69
Social Mobility Score
Rank 20 globally 74
Social Cohesion
Rank 23 globally 81
83
/ 100
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Gender Equality
Rank 22 globally 80
Womenโ€™s Rights & Equality
Rank 23 globally 82
Anti-Discrimination Protection
Rank 20 globally 87
Minority Rights Protection
Rank 25 globally 85
Everyday Discrimination Risk
Rank 26 globally 85

LGBTQ+ Friendliness

5 indicators

86
/ 100
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Same-Sex Legal Status
Rank 29 globally 95
LGBTQ+ Anti-Discrimination
Rank 23 globally 84
LGBTQ+ Social Acceptance
Rank 29 globally 83
LGBTQ+ Rights
Rank 27 globally 84
Pride Culture
Rank 33 globally 77
86
/ 100
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Disability Support Score
Rank 28 globally 81
Public Accessibility
Rank 19 globally 84
Digital Accessibility
Rank 8 globally 94
Inclusion in Education and Work
Rank 16 globally 89

Religion & Worldviews

4 indicators

81
/ 100
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Religious Freedom Index
Rank 1 globally 93
Secularization Score
Rank 2 globally 84
Religious Diversity Index
Rank 71 globally 42
Religious Influence in Public Life
Rank 2 globally 86

Demography

10 indicators

60
/ 100
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Median Age
Rank 201 globally 30
Fertility Rate
Rank 124 globally 65
Population Growth
Rank 203 globally 16
Net Migration Rate
Rank 62 globally 57
Urbanization Rate
Rank 99 globally 64
Foreign Population Share
Rank 53 globally 72
Population Density
Rank 52 globally 70
Gender Ratio (F/100 M)
Rank 1 globally 100
Youth Gender Ratio (15-29)
Rank 106 globally 88
Single-Person Households
Rank 12 globally 79