Country profile

Iceland: Costs, Safety, Relocation and Quality of Life

Iceland is especially relevant in the Nomadino comparison when comparing social freedom, participation and openness as well as safety, stability and risk exposure. The current data points to a strong overall picture; its strongest main categories are Society & Participation and Safety & Risk, while Equal Treatment, LGBTQ+ Friendliness and Conflicts & Political Security 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 Dining & Going Out, Food & Basic Goods and Personal Services.

Overall rating 73.63 points
Global rank Rank 18 globally
Continental rank Rank 15 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 Iceland

Why is Iceland especially relevant in this comparison?

The profile is shaped mainly by social freedom, participation and openness as well as safety, stability and risk exposure; its strongest main categories are Society & Participation and Safety & Risk.

Which topics stand out positively for Iceland?

Equal Treatment, LGBTQ+ Friendliness and Conflicts & Political Security 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 Dining & Going Out, Food & Basic Goods and Personal Services.

How important is freedom, participation and the social environment for Iceland?

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 Iceland 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

Iceland is especially useful to compare with Portugal, Spain and United States, because those countries sit closer to its overall rating profile. Denmark and Germany work as contrast comparisons when social freedom, participation and openness 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.

All ratings and indicators for Iceland

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.

🛡️ Safety & Risk ShowHide

Safety & Crime

6 indicators

87
/ 100
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Homicide Rate
Rank 67 globally 93
Petty Crime Index
Rank 4 globally 92
Women's Safety
Rank 1 globally 95
Organized Crime
Rank 10 globally 75
Kidnapping Risk
Rank 2 globally 97
BAC Limit (‰)
Rank 123 globally 38
98
/ 100
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Active Conflicts & War Risk
Rank 1 globally 99
Political Violence
Rank 1 globally 97
Geopolitical Risk
Rank 1 globally 98
Terrorism Risk
Rank 120 globally 99

Natural Hazards

8 indicators

63
/ 100
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Flood Risk
Rank 38 globally 71
Storm Risk
Rank 166 globally 56
Earthquake Risk
Rank 178 globally 40
Drought Risk
Rank 1 globally 98
Wildfire Risk
Rank 31 globally 84
Landslide Risk
Rank 162 globally 42
Tsunami Risk
Rank 87 globally 76
Volcano Risk
Rank 224 globally 18

Privacy & Surveillance

6 indicators

97
/ 100
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State Surveillance
Rank 1 globally 96
Internet Censorship
Rank 1 globally 100
Internet Freedom
Rank 1 globally 97
Data Protection Laws
Rank 5 globally 95
VPN Access
Rank 1 globally 100
Cybercrime Risk
Rank 2 globally 87
84
/ 100
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Rule of Law
Rank 5 globally 90
Property Rights Security
Rank 12 globally 84
Corruption Perception
Rank 14 globally 79
Police Effectiveness
Rank 4 globally 91
Expropriation Risk
Rank 7 globally 91
Extradition Risk
Rank 157 globally 39

Long-Term Stability

4 indicators

87
/ 100
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Political Stability
Rank 1 globally 94
Economic Resilience
Rank 14 globally 80
Government Efficiency
Rank 4 globally 92
Climate Vulnerability
Rank 9 globally 81
❤️ Health ShowHide

Healthcare & Access

12 indicators

80
/ 100
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Healthcare Quality
Rank 18 globally 80
Universal Healthcare Coverage
Rank 16 globally 85
Emergency Care
Rank 18 globally 81
Medicine Access
Rank 12 globally 84
Hospital Infections & Patient Safety
Rank 13 globally 86
Health Insurance for Foreigners
Rank 38 globally 76
Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure
Rank 79 globally 81
Doctor Density
Rank 18 globally 82
Hospital Beds
Rank 89 globally 46
Healthcare Coverage (%)
Rank 1 globally 100
Specialist Visit Cost
Rank 218 globally 21
English-Speaking Doctors
Rank 14 globally 84

Environmental Health

6 indicators

90
/ 100
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Fine Particulate Matter Exposure (PM2.5)
Rank 1 globally 100
Noise Pollution
Rank 4 globally 84
UV Radiation
Rank 3 globally 91
Tap Water Safety
Rank 1 globally 100
Sanitation
Rank 9 globally 99
Waste Management
Rank 86 globally 51
85
/ 100
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Life Expectancy
Rank 21 globally 94
Infectious Diseases
Rank 3 globally 96
Obesity Rate
Rank 98 globally 73
Infant Mortality (per 1,000)
Rank 11 globally 83
Mental Health
Rank 12 globally 77
Suicide Rate
Rank 159 globally 48
Maternal Mortality
Rank 1 globally 100
Vaccination Rate
Rank 47 globally 96
Alcohol & Tobacco Consumption
Rank 102 globally 65
Drug and Substance-Use Burden
Rank 150 globally 73
💸 Finance & Taxes ShowHide

Taxes & Finance

10 indicators

51
/ 100
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Effective Income Tax Rate (%)
Rank 209 globally 51
Top Income Tax Rate
Rank 208 globally 25
Social Security Burden
Rank 90 globally 79
VAT / GST Rate
Rank 220 globally 24
Capital Gains Tax
Rank 188 globally 54
Dividend Tax Rate
Rank 195 globally 54
Inheritance / Estate Tax
Rank 179 globally 88
Territorial Tax System
Rank 97 globally 25
Tax Filing Effort (hours/year)
Rank 65 globally 76
Double Taxation Agreements
Rank 76 globally 58
77
/ 100
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Capital Flow Freedom
Rank 17 globally 76
Capital Market Depth
Rank 19 globally 79
Business Credit Access
Rank 21 globally 80
Investor Protection
Rank 16 globally 80
Foreign Investment Openness
Rank 69 globally 65
Currency Convertibility & Transferability
Rank 67 globally 75
Venture Capital & Startup Financing
Rank 15 globally 81
Alternative Financing Access
Rank 12 globally 84

Banking & Fintech

8 indicators

73
/ 100
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Expat Banking Ease
Rank 27 globally 69
Banking Stability
Rank 138 globally 73
SWIFT / Wire Access
Rank 30 globally 89
Fintech Development
Rank 1 globally 98
ATM Availability
Rank 83 globally 80
Banking Secrecy Index
Rank 213 globally 31
Automatic Tax Information Exchange
Rank 176 globally 5
Cash Transaction Limit
Rank 1 globally 100

Bitcoin & Crypto

6 indicators

47
/ 100
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Crypto Adoption
Rank 112 globally 30
Crypto Regulation
Rank 28 globally 77
Legal Status
Rank 18 globally 84
Bitcoin Merchant Acceptance
Rank 69 globally 25
Crypto Tax Rate
Rank 225 globally 17
Bitcoin Cash Access
Rank 53 globally 26

Real Estate & Property

4 indicators

48
/ 100
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Foreigner Ownership Rights
Rank 143 globally 30
Transaction Costs
Rank 53 globally 80
Affordability
Rank 174 globally 45
Gross Rental Yield
Rank 168 globally 48
64
/ 100
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Corporate Tax Rate
Rank 60 globally 50
Cost to Start a Business
Rank 73 globally 80
Labor Market Flexibility
Rank 88 globally 59
Days to Register a Company
Rank 29 globally 73

Macroeconomics

9 indicators

73
/ 100
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GDP per Capita (PPP, USD)
Rank 13 globally 89
Inflation Rate (CPI, %)
Rank 177 globally 70
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Rank 145 globally 51
GDP Growth Rate (%)
Rank 213 globally 49
Economic Freedom Index
Rank 16 globally 76
Tax Burden (% of GDP)
Rank 4 globally 99
Central Bank Independence
Rank 25 globally 84
Foreign Exchange Reserves (months of imports)
Rank 90 globally 65
Current Account Balance (% of GDP)
Rank 131 globally 71
80
/ 100
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Avg. Monthly Net Salary ($/month)
Rank 12 globally 90
Purchasing Power Index
Rank 37 globally 73
Unemployment Rate (%)
Rank 68 globally 86
Wage Growth Rate (%)
Rank 196 globally 52
Salary-to-Rent Ratio
Rank 33 globally 87
Minimum Wage (USD/month)
Rank 4 globally 94
🏠 Costs ShowHide

Housing & Utilities

5 indicators

44
/ 100
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City Rent per Square Meter
Rank 222 globally 14
Rural Rent per Square Meter
Rank 212 globally 32
Electricity Cost
Rank 107 globally 69
Heating & Gas Cost
Rank 173 globally 73
Water & Sewage Cost
Rank 196 globally 76

Food & Basic Goods

7 indicators

23
/ 100
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Milk Price per Liter
Rank 173 globally 27
Bread Price per 500 Grams
Rank 213 globally 8
Egg Price for 12 Eggs
Rank 190 globally 22
Chicken Fillet Price per Kilogram
Rank 196 globally 31
Beef Round Price per Kilogram
Rank 201 globally 28
Vegetable Basket Price per Kilogram
Rank 186 globally 28
Water Price per Liter in Supermarket
Rank 201 globally 24

Dining & Going Out

9 indicators

16
/ 100
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Price of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal
Rank 224 globally 11
Burger Menu Price
Rank 224 globally 9
Cappuccino (Café)
Rank 222 globally 14
Local Beer (Restaurant)
Rank 214 globally 18
Local Beer Price in a Market
Rank 202 globally 42
Imported Beer Price in a Market
Rank 212 globally 33
Cocktail (Bar)
Rank 222 globally 8
Mid-Range Wine Bottle Price
Rank 208 globally 18
Soft Drink Price in a Market
Rank 221 globally 10

Mobility Costs

7 indicators

42
/ 100
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Transit Cost
Rank 213 globally 37
Fuel Price ($/L)
Rank 225 globally 16
Car Rental ($/day)
Rank 223 globally 35
Car Insurance ($/yr)
Rank 208 globally 57
Car Purchase Index
Rank 10 globally 79
Driving License Cost ($)
Rank 221 globally 28
City Parking ($/hr)
Rank 212 globally 55
53
/ 100
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Internet Cost
Rank 131 globally 57
Mobile Plan Cost
Rank 173 globally 47
Prepaid SIM & Data Package Cost
Rank 175 globally 58
eSIM & Travel Data Cost
Rank 168 globally 73
Coworking Day Pass Cost
Rank 223 globally 27

Personal Services

4 indicators

30
/ 100
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Haircut Cost
Rank 219 globally 28
Fitness Club Monthly Fee
Rank 217 globally 32
Laundry & Dry Cleaning Cost
Rank 214 globally 36
Local Services Cost
Rank 220 globally 22
🏗️ Infrastructure ShowHide
42
/ 100
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Logistics Performance
Rank 22 globally 74
Rail Network Density
Rank 134 globally 1
Airport Connectivity
Rank 81 globally 53
Port Connectivity
Rank 140 globally 15
73
/ 100
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Road Quality
Rank 22 globally 84
Traffic Congestion
Rank 39 globally 70
Road Density
Rank 175 globally 48
Traffic Deaths
Rank 21 globally 91
EV Charging Infrastructure
Rank 34 globally 58

Electricity & Energy

6 indicators

98
/ 100
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Power Outages
Rank 6 globally 99
Electrification Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Energy Self-Sufficiency
Rank 14 globally 90
Renewable Energy Share
Rank 1 globally 100
CO2 Intensity
Rank 1 globally 100
Nuclear Exposure
Rank 1 globally 100
88
/ 100
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Broadband Speed
Rank 18 globally 91
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions
Rank 32 globally 94
Mobile Speed
Rank 21 globally 84
5G Coverage
Rank 21 globally 75

Public Transport

4 indicators

63
/ 100
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Transit Coverage
Rank 70 globally 55
Transit Punctuality
Rank 17 globally 82
Cycling Infrastructure
Rank 29 globally 52
Walkability Score
Rank 42 globally 65
🌿 Lifestyle ShowHide

Work-Life Balance

5 indicators

74
/ 100
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Annual Working Hours
Rank 18 globally 82
Paid Vacation Days
Rank 49 globally 80
Happiness Index (UN)
Rank 5 globally 75
Burnout Risk
Rank 6 globally 80
Public Holidays
Rank 63 globally 52

Climate & Weather

6 indicators

52
/ 100
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Temperature Comfort
Rank 218 globally 23
Sunshine Hours
Rank 227 globally 41
Humidity Comfort
Rank 165 globally 51
Rainy Days
Rank 192 globally 51
Extreme Heat Days
Rank 1 globally 100
Seasonal Variation
Rank 118 globally 75

Outdoor & Lifestyle

5 indicators

45
/ 100
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Beach Quality
Rank 182 globally 26
Mountain Access
Rank 41 globally 69
Protected Land Area (%)
Rank 88 globally 70
Biodiversity Index
Rank 211 globally 37
Forest Cover
Rank 208 globally 1

Leisure & Recreation

4 indicators

77
/ 100
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Sports & Fitness Facilities
Rank 21 globally 80
Urban Green Space Access
Rank 103 globally 62
Leisure Infrastructure
Rank 21 globally 80
Recovery Time
Rank 8 globally 93

Arts & Entertainment

6 indicators

70
/ 100
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Museums per 100,000 People
Rank 1 globally 100
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Rank 85 globally 22
Music & Nightlife
Rank 34 globally 62
Cinema Density
Rank 18 globally 77
Cultural Freedom
Rank 1 globally 92
Football and Stadium Culture
Rank 67 globally 72
45
/ 100
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Cuisine Diversity
Rank 122 globally 36
Restaurant Density
Rank 110 globally 45
Street Food Scene
Rank 134 globally 33
Local Market Quality
Rank 82 globally 54
Café Culture
Rank 78 globally 47
Local Freshness
Rank 62 globally 65
Local Authenticity
Rank 124 globally 35

Family-Friendly

7 indicators

89
/ 100
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Childcare Cost ($/month)
Rank 154 globally 81
Paid Parental Leave (weeks)
Rank 1 globally 100
Child Benefit ($/month)
Rank 6 globally 89
Child Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 6 globally 93
Child Safety Score
Rank 2 globally 94
Childcare Coverage (%)
Rank 2 globally 70
Playground Density
Rank 5 globally 94

Pet-Friendly

7 indicators

61
/ 100
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Pet Entry Rules
Rank 68 globally 60
Veterinary Quality
Rank 29 globally 82
Vet Cost Affordability
Rank 207 globally 25
Pet Food Prices
Rank 218 globally 28
Animal Welfare Laws
Rank 11 globally 82
Pet-Friendly Housing
Rank 3 globally 68
Outdoor Pet Access
Rank 6 globally 85
✈️ Relocation & Residency ShowHide
88
/ 100
ShowHide
Residence Permit Ease
Rank 10 globally 89
E-Government
Rank 8 globally 95
Visa Processing Time
Rank 27 globally 70
Local Registration Requirements
Rank 6 globally 90
Foreign Document & Qualification Recognition
Rank 4 globally 97
Household Goods & Customs
Rank 21 globally 82
International Licence Compatibility
Rank 9 globally 98
84
/ 100
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Visa-Free Tourist Stay Days
Rank 38 globally 75
Visa Application Ease
Rank 12 globally 87
Border Openness
Rank 3 globally 99
Travel & Entry Comfort
Rank 22 globally 87
Visa Income & Asset Requirements
Rank 185 globally 71
75
/ 100
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Digital Nomad Visa
Rank 29 globally 71
Remote Work Legality
Rank 45 globally 72
Freelance Legal Framework
Rank 24 globally 88
Remote Job Market
Rank 16 globally 88
Coworking Density
Rank 66 globally 55
Nomad Community
Rank 70 globally 53
Avg. Remote Salary (USD)
Rank 18 globally 91
91
/ 100
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Work Rights for Foreigners
Rank 9 globally 96
Work Permit Access for Foreigners
Rank 7 globally 93
Local Self-Employment and Freelancing Rights
Rank 30 globally 80
Employment Restrictions for Foreigners
Rank 9 globally 95
Professional Qualification Recognition
Rank 4 globally 97
Business Ownership by Foreigners
Rank 56 globally 80
87
/ 100
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Time to Permanent Residency or Citizenship
Rank 10 globally 80
Family Reunification
Rank 2 globally 99
Naturalization Requirements
Rank 13 globally 84
Residence Status Stability
Rank 5 globally 98
Residence Status for Spouses and Children
Rank 5 globally 98
Passport Power (Henley Index)
Rank 61 globally 92
Dual Citizenship Allowed
Rank 32 globally 95
Citizenship by Investment
Rank 13 globally 0

Language & Integration

7 indicators

73
/ 100
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English Proficiency (EF EPI)
Rank 70 globally 66
Local Language Barrier
Rank 50 globally 70
Integration Ease
Rank 37 globally 79
Cultural Etiquette Gap
Rank 7 globally 97
Expat Community Size
Rank 58 globally 52
Cultural Distance to West
Rank 8 globally 96
International Schools
Rank 57 globally 53
93
/ 100
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Expat Welcome Culture
Rank 19 globally 83
Foreigner Discrimination
Rank 1 globally 100
Xenophobia Levels
Rank 6 globally 94
Racial Safety for Foreigners
Rank 1 globally 100
85
/ 100
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Rental Access for Foreigners
Rank 25 globally 86
Tax Residency Clarity for Expats
Rank 27 globally 71
Local Contracts and Utilities Access
Rank 13 globally 89
Local Identity and Address Proof
Rank 10 globally 92
Everyday Accounts and Payments for Foreigners
Rank 17 globally 89
🏖️ Travel & Vacation ShowHide
84
/ 100
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Hotel Quality
Rank 38 globally 81
Vacation Rental Quality
Rank 13 globally 94
Accommodation Availability
Rank 74 globally 63
Booking & Transparency
Rank 9 globally 96

Tourism Infrastructure

4 indicators

86
/ 100
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Airport-to-Destination Transfer
Rank 60 globally 64
Digital Travel Services
Rank 13 globally 92
Traveler Payment Infrastructure
Rank 12 globally 95
Tourist Information Quality
Rank 15 globally 92
78
/ 100
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Major Attractions Density
Rank 40 globally 65
Guided Tours & Bookable Experiences
Rank 29 globally 86
Tourist Outdoor Activities
Rank 23 globally 84
Nightlife & Entertainment for Visitors
Rank 34 globally 76
71
/ 100
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Tourist Beach Quality
Rank 148 globally 55
Swimming & Water Sports
Rank 67 globally 74
National Parks & Nature Access
Rank 29 globally 84

Vacation Costs

5 indicators

37
/ 100
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Hotel Cost
Rank 220 globally 41
Vacation Rental Cost
Rank 220 globally 44
Attraction Entry Cost
Rank 224 globally 23
Tour & Activity Cost
Rank 225 globally 29
Tourist Taxes & Fees
Rank 214 globally 48
76
/ 100
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High-Season Overcrowding
Rank 159 globally 81
Off-Season Usability
Rank 62 globally 76
Seasonal Capacity Shortage
Rank 42 globally 78
Seasonal Price Surcharges
Rank 223 globally 68
🌐 Society & Participation ShowHide

Society & Freedom

4 indicators

91
/ 100
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Press Freedom
Rank 12 globally 86
Democracy Index
Rank 3 globally 94
Personal Freedom
Rank 16 globally 85
Freedom of Political Expression
Rank 4 globally 96

Education & Knowledge

5 indicators

90
/ 100
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Adult Literacy Rate
Rank 4 globally 99
PISA Score
Rank 42 globally 67
Tertiary Enrollment Rate
Rank 13 globally 82
Education Expenditure
Rank 1 globally 100
School Life Expectancy
Rank 1 globally 100
89
/ 100
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Pension Replacement Rate (%)
Rank 1 globally 100
Unemployment Benefit Duration (months)
Rank 1 globally 100
Social Spending (% of GDP)
Rank 27 globally 67
Gini Index
Rank 1 globally 100
Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 1 globally 88
Housing Support Score
Rank 11 globally 81
Social Mobility Score
Rank 2 globally 87
Social Cohesion
Rank 1 globally 92
100
/ 100
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Gender Equality
Rank 1 globally 100
Women’s Rights & Equality
Rank 1 globally 100
Anti-Discrimination Protection
Rank 1 globally 100
Minority Rights Protection
Rank 1 globally 100
Everyday Discrimination Risk
Rank 1 globally 100

LGBTQ+ Friendliness

5 indicators

99
/ 100
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Same-Sex Legal Status
Rank 1 globally 100
LGBTQ+ Anti-Discrimination
Rank 2 globally 99
LGBTQ+ Social Acceptance
Rank 1 globally 100
LGBTQ+ Rights
Rank 3 globally 99
Pride Culture
Rank 10 globally 90
96
/ 100
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Disability Support Score
Rank 5 globally 95
Public Accessibility
Rank 10 globally 91
Digital Accessibility
Rank 5 globally 98
Inclusion in Education and Work
Rank 1 globally 100

Religion & Worldviews

4 indicators

80
/ 100
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Religious Freedom Index
Rank 1 globally 93
Secularization Score
Rank 7 globally 79
Religious Diversity Index
Rank 92 globally 40
Religious Influence in Public Life
Rank 8 globally 84

Demography

10 indicators

69
/ 100
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Median Age
Rank 157 globally 45
Fertility Rate
Rank 89 globally 75
Population Growth
Rank 111 globally 40
Net Migration Rate
Rank 15 globally 77
Urbanization Rate
Rank 24 globally 92
Foreign Population Share
Rank 61 globally 70
Population Density
Rank 4 globally 96
Gender Ratio (F/100 M)
Rank 131 globally 50
Youth Gender Ratio (15-29)
Rank 106 globally 88
Single-Person Households
Rank 12 globally 79