Country profile

Lesotho: Costs, Safety, Relocation and Quality of Life

Lesotho is best read in the Nomadino comparison through the lens of everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as safety, stability and risk exposure. The current data points to a mixed overall picture; its strongest main categories are Costs and Safety & Risk, while Personal Services, Vacation Costs and Dining & Going Out stand out at topic level. Before making a decision, check infrastructure, mobility and digital usability as well as climate, leisure, nature and day-to-day lifestyle more closely, because the largest deductions come from Basic Infrastructure & Logistics, Food & Culinary Culture and Internet & Connectivity.

Overall rating 50.98 points
Global rank Rank 177 globally
Continental rank Rank 24 in Africa

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 Lesotho

Why is Lesotho especially relevant in this comparison?

The profile is shaped mainly by everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as safety, stability and risk exposure; its strongest main categories are Costs and Safety & Risk.

Which topics stand out positively for Lesotho?

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

What should be checked before making a decision?

infrastructure, mobility and digital usability as well as climate, leisure, nature and day-to-day lifestyle deserve closer attention; the largest deductions come from Basic Infrastructure & Logistics, Food & Culinary Culture and Internet & Connectivity.

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

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 Lesotho 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

Lesotho 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 safety, stability and risk exposure need to be weighed against different priorities; infrastructure, mobility and digital usability as well as climate, leisure, nature and day-to-day lifestyle still deserve closer attention.

All ratings and indicators for Lesotho

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

46
/ 100
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Homicide Rate
Rank 219 globally 38
Petty Crime Index
Rank 169 globally 42
Women's Safety
Rank 173 globally 44
Organized Crime
Rank 106 globally 52
Kidnapping Risk
Rank 129 globally 75
BAC Limit (โ€ฐ)
Rank 123 globally 38
90
/ 100
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Active Conflicts & War Risk
Rank 7 globally 96
Political Violence
Rank 117 globally 79
Geopolitical Risk
Rank 82 globally 89
Terrorism Risk
Rank 1 globally 100

Natural Hazards

8 indicators

72
/ 100
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Flood Risk
Rank 54 globally 60
Storm Risk
Rank 17 globally 94
Earthquake Risk
Rank 33 globally 89
Drought Risk
Rank 188 globally 38
Wildfire Risk
Rank 120 globally 48
Landslide Risk
Rank 103 globally 55
Tsunami Risk
Rank 1 globally 100
Volcano Risk
Rank 1 globally 100

Privacy & Surveillance

6 indicators

60
/ 100
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State Surveillance
Rank 122 globally 62
Internet Censorship
Rank 123 globally 66
Internet Freedom
Rank 125 globally 61
Data Protection Laws
Rank 150 globally 39
VPN Access
Rank 128 globally 68
Cybercrime Risk
Rank 115 globally 58
46
/ 100
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Rule of Law
Rank 141 globally 46
Property Rights Security
Rank 150 globally 45
Corruption Perception
Rank 142 globally 38
Police Effectiveness
Rank 140 globally 52
Expropriation Risk
Rank 140 globally 50
Extradition Risk
Rank 13 globally 56

Long-Term Stability

4 indicators

52
/ 100
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Political Stability
Rank 132 globally 57
Economic Resilience
Rank 189 globally 48
Government Efficiency
Rank 151 globally 50
Climate Vulnerability
Rank 150 globally 50
โค๏ธ Health ShowHide

Healthcare & Access

12 indicators

48
/ 100
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Healthcare Quality
Rank 190 globally 39
Universal Healthcare Coverage
Rank 154 globally 59
Emergency Care
Rank 182 globally 41
Medicine Access
Rank 164 globally 54
Hospital Infections & Patient Safety
Rank 167 globally 46
Health Insurance for Foreigners
Rank 185 globally 46
Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure
Rank 56 globally 84
Doctor Density
Rank 189 globally 9
Hospital Beds
Rank 165 globally 25
Healthcare Coverage (%)
Rank 181 globally 69
Specialist Visit Cost
Rank 54 globally 74
English-Speaking Doctors
Rank 176 globally 32

Environmental Health

6 indicators

42
/ 100
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Fine Particulate Matter Exposure (PM2.5)
Rank 144 globally 59
Noise Pollution
Rank 58 globally 65
UV Radiation
Rank 152 globally 24
Tap Water Safety
Rank 203 globally 38
Sanitation
Rank 160 globally 46
Waste Management
Rank 225 globally 2
39
/ 100
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Life Expectancy
Rank 225 globally 22
Infectious Diseases
Rank 202 globally 36
Obesity Rate
Rank 108 globally 72
Infant Mortality (per 1,000)
Rank 219 globally 9
Mental Health
Rank 211 globally 45
Suicide Rate
Rank 228 globally 11
Maternal Mortality
Rank 219 globally 15
Vaccination Rate
Rank 149 globally 85
Alcohol & Tobacco Consumption
Rank 118 globally 61
Drug and Substance-Use Burden
Rank 39 globally 86
๐Ÿ’ธ Finance & Taxes ShowHide

Taxes & Finance

10 indicators

71
/ 100
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Effective Income Tax Rate (%)
Rank 36 globally 93
Top Income Tax Rate
Rank 130 globally 46
Social Security Burden
Rank 28 globally 91
VAT / GST Rate
Rank 99 globally 53
Capital Gains Tax
Rank 1 globally 100
Dividend Tax Rate
Rank 198 globally 47
Inheritance / Estate Tax
Rank 1 globally 100
Territorial Tax System
Rank 97 globally 25
Tax Filing Effort (hours/year)
Rank 195 globally 42
Double Taxation Agreements
Rank 152 globally 12
54
/ 100
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Capital Flow Freedom
Rank 93 globally 66
Capital Market Depth
Rank 149 globally 57
Business Credit Access
Rank 153 globally 52
Investor Protection
Rank 156 globally 42
Foreign Investment Openness
Rank 175 globally 39
Currency Convertibility & Transferability
Rank 91 globally 72
Venture Capital & Startup Financing
Rank 154 globally 44
Alternative Financing Access
Rank 135 globally 51

Banking & Fintech

8 indicators

63
/ 100
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Expat Banking Ease
Rank 159 globally 28
Banking Stability
Rank 27 globally 83
SWIFT / Wire Access
Rank 129 globally 79
Fintech Development
Rank 123 globally 55
ATM Availability
Rank 170 globally 47
Banking Secrecy Index
Rank 113 globally 50
Automatic Tax Information Exchange
Rank 15 globally 93
Cash Transaction Limit
Rank 1 globally 100

Bitcoin & Crypto

6 indicators

21
/ 100
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Crypto Adoption
Rank 189 globally 16
Crypto Regulation
Rank 159 globally 29
Legal Status
Rank 168 globally 31
Bitcoin Merchant Acceptance
Rank 177 globally 8
Crypto Tax Rate
Rank 212 globally 30
Bitcoin Cash Access
Rank 175 globally 6

Real Estate & Property

4 indicators

57
/ 100
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Foreigner Ownership Rights
Rank 186 globally 15
Transaction Costs
Rank 118 globally 65
Affordability
Rank 7 globally 90
Gross Rental Yield
Rank 111 globally 62
45
/ 100
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Corporate Tax Rate
Rank 107 globally 38
Cost to Start a Business
Rank 156 globally 51
Labor Market Flexibility
Rank 108 globally 57
Days to Register a Company
Rank 188 globally 35

Macroeconomics

9 indicators

61
/ 100
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GDP per Capita (PPP, USD)
Rank 209 globally 23
Inflation Rate (CPI, %)
Rank 179 globally 69
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Rank 82 globally 68
GDP Growth Rate (%)
Rank 125 globally 83
Economic Freedom Index
Rank 148 globally 52
Tax Burden (% of GDP)
Rank 142 globally 78
Central Bank Independence
Rank 155 globally 60
Foreign Exchange Reserves (months of imports)
Rank 70 globally 69
Current Account Balance (% of GDP)
Rank 55 globally 86
19
/ 100
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Avg. Monthly Net Salary ($/month)
Rank 190 globally 12
Purchasing Power Index
Rank 188 globally 12
Unemployment Rate (%)
Rank 208 globally 31
Wage Growth Rate (%)
Rank 222 globally 22
Salary-to-Rent Ratio
Rank 184 globally 34
Minimum Wage (USD/month)
Rank 182 globally 15
๐Ÿ  Costs ShowHide

Housing & Utilities

5 indicators

78
/ 100
ShowHide
City Rent per Square Meter
Rank 34 globally 65
Rural Rent per Square Meter
Rank 57 globally 72
Electricity Cost
Rank 65 globally 84
Heating & Gas Cost
Rank 144 globally 92
Water & Sewage Cost
Rank 51 globally 98

Food & Basic Goods

7 indicators

85
/ 100
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Milk Price per Liter
Rank 31 globally 82
Bread Price per 500 Grams
Rank 52 globally 84
Egg Price for 12 Eggs
Rank 51 globally 83
Chicken Fillet Price per Kilogram
Rank 44 globally 84
Beef Round Price per Kilogram
Rank 36 globally 81
Vegetable Basket Price per Kilogram
Rank 47 globally 90
Water Price per Liter in Supermarket
Rank 43 globally 87

Dining & Going Out

9 indicators

91
/ 100
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Price of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal
Rank 53 globally 84
Burger Menu Price
Rank 56 globally 96
Cappuccino (Cafรฉ)
Rank 48 globally 90
Local Beer (Restaurant)
Rank 31 globally 96
Local Beer Price in a Market
Rank 29 globally 97
Imported Beer Price in a Market
Rank 43 globally 92
Cocktail (Bar)
Rank 34 globally 95
Mid-Range Wine Bottle Price
Rank 69 globally 78
Soft Drink Price in a Market
Rank 60 globally 95

Mobility Costs

7 indicators

78
/ 100
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Transit Cost
Rank 88 globally 94
Fuel Price ($/L)
Rank 88 globally 67
Car Rental ($/day)
Rank 69 globally 89
Car Insurance ($/yr)
Rank 57 globally 96
Car Purchase Index
Rank 153 globally 1
Driving License Cost ($)
Rank 69 globally 96
City Parking ($/hr)
Rank 58 globally 95
68
/ 100
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Internet Cost
Rank 147 globally 50
Mobile Plan Cost
Rank 90 globally 73
Prepaid SIM & Data Package Cost
Rank 76 globally 87
eSIM & Travel Data Cost
Rank 96 globally 89
Coworking Day Pass Cost
Rank 113 globally 63

Personal Services

4 indicators

94
/ 100
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Haircut Cost
Rank 44 globally 90
Fitness Club Monthly Fee
Rank 23 globally 98
Laundry & Dry Cleaning Cost
Rank 19 globally 95
Local Services Cost
Rank 36 globally 92
๐Ÿ—๏ธ Infrastructure ShowHide
8
/ 100
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Logistics Performance
Rank 188 globally 10
Rail Network Density
Rank 134 globally 1
Airport Connectivity
Rank 192 globally 15
Port Connectivity
Rank 182 globally 1
44
/ 100
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Road Quality
Rank 155 globally 36
Traffic Congestion
Rank 24 globally 78
Road Density
Rank 137 globally 53
Traffic Deaths
Rank 204 globally 32
EV Charging Infrastructure
Rank 175 globally 3

Electricity & Energy

6 indicators

61
/ 100
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Power Outages
Rank 162 globally 62
Electrification Rate
Rank 189 globally 50
Energy Self-Sufficiency
Rank 119 globally 40
Renewable Energy Share
Rank 26 globally 80
CO2 Intensity
Rank 71 globally 55
Nuclear Exposure
Rank 1 globally 100
17
/ 100
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Broadband Speed
Rank 184 globally 23
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions
Rank 200 globally 1
Mobile Speed
Rank 181 globally 34
5G Coverage
Rank 179 globally 3

Public Transport

4 indicators

29
/ 100
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Transit Coverage
Rank 179 globally 25
Transit Punctuality
Rank 172 globally 45
Cycling Infrastructure
Rank 154 globally 8
Walkability Score
Rank 192 globally 38
๐ŸŒฟ Lifestyle ShowHide

Work-Life Balance

5 indicators

39
/ 100
ShowHide
Annual Working Hours
Rank 171 globally 40
Paid Vacation Days
Rank 194 globally 40
Happiness Index (UN)
Rank 214 globally 38
Burnout Risk
Rank 192 globally 35
Public Holidays
Rank 193 globally 40

Climate & Weather

6 indicators

77
/ 100
ShowHide
Temperature Comfort
Rank 171 globally 48
Sunshine Hours
Rank 30 globally 94
Humidity Comfort
Rank 1 globally 100
Rainy Days
Rank 54 globally 76
Extreme Heat Days
Rank 53 globally 94
Seasonal Variation
Rank 182 globally 58

Outdoor & Lifestyle

5 indicators

45
/ 100
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Beach Quality
Rank 189 globally 0
Mountain Access
Rank 22 globally 76
Protected Land Area (%)
Rank 66 globally 78
Biodiversity Index
Rank 176 globally 49
Forest Cover
Rank 202 globally 2

Leisure & Recreation

4 indicators

30
/ 100
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Sports & Fitness Facilities
Rank 187 globally 17
Urban Green Space Access
Rank 195 globally 37
Leisure Infrastructure
Rank 192 globally 20
Recovery Time
Rank 221 globally 48

Arts & Entertainment

6 indicators

25
/ 100
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Museums per 100,000 People
Rank 158 globally 20
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Rank 136 globally 10
Music & Nightlife
Rank 184 globally 25
Cinema Density
Rank 180 globally 6
Cultural Freedom
Rank 144 globally 42
Football and Stadium Culture
Rank 185 globally 55
16
/ 100
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Cuisine Diversity
Rank 223 globally 12
Restaurant Density
Rank 214 globally 15
Street Food Scene
Rank 219 globally 13
Local Market Quality
Rank 209 globally 22
Cafรฉ Culture
Rank 221 globally 11
Local Freshness
Rank 202 globally 25
Local Authenticity
Rank 224 globally 11

Family-Friendly

7 indicators

30
/ 100
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Childcare Cost ($/month)
Rank 29 globally 98
Paid Parental Leave (weeks)
Rank 162 globally 23
Child Benefit ($/month)
Rank 187 globally 17
Child Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 210 globally 21
Child Safety Score
Rank 209 globally 28
Childcare Coverage (%)
Rank 197 globally 6
Playground Density
Rank 206 globally 18

Pet-Friendly

7 indicators

44
/ 100
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Pet Entry Rules
Rank 119 globally 45
Veterinary Quality
Rank 190 globally 20
Vet Cost Affordability
Rank 70 globally 68
Pet Food Prices
Rank 63 globally 65
Animal Welfare Laws
Rank 160 globally 25
Pet-Friendly Housing
Rank 132 globally 45
Outdoor Pet Access
Rank 153 globally 38
โœˆ๏ธ Relocation & Residency ShowHide
50
/ 100
ShowHide
Residence Permit Ease
Rank 161 globally 58
E-Government
Rank 196 globally 39
Visa Processing Time
Rank 4 globally 78
Local Registration Requirements
Rank 178 globally 46
Foreign Document & Qualification Recognition
Rank 179 globally 42
Household Goods & Customs
Rank 187 globally 23
International Licence Compatibility
Rank 177 globally 42
50
/ 100
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Visa-Free Tourist Stay Days
Rank 129 globally 35
Visa Application Ease
Rank 157 globally 53
Border Openness
Rank 157 globally 47
Travel & Entry Comfort
Rank 170 globally 36
Visa Income & Asset Requirements
Rank 28 globally 94
34
/ 100
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Digital Nomad Visa
Rank 164 globally 32
Remote Work Legality
Rank 201 globally 36
Freelance Legal Framework
Rank 186 globally 47
Remote Job Market
Rank 165 globally 46
Coworking Density
Rank 194 globally 21
Nomad Community
Rank 195 globally 17
Avg. Remote Salary (USD)
Rank 177 globally 32
48
/ 100
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Work Rights for Foreigners
Rank 168 globally 47
Work Permit Access for Foreigners
Rank 154 globally 54
Local Self-Employment and Freelancing Rights
Rank 182 globally 45
Employment Restrictions for Foreigners
Rank 155 globally 49
Professional Qualification Recognition
Rank 178 globally 40
Business Ownership by Foreigners
Rank 178 globally 47
48
/ 100
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Time to Permanent Residency or Citizenship
Rank 124 globally 42
Family Reunification
Rank 158 globally 50
Naturalization Requirements
Rank 136 globally 55
Residence Status Stability
Rank 141 globally 56
Residence Status for Spouses and Children
Rank 164 globally 47
Passport Power (Henley Index)
Rank 147 globally 30
Dual Citizenship Allowed
Rank 57 globally 90
Citizenship by Investment
Rank 13 globally 0

Language & Integration

7 indicators

54
/ 100
ShowHide
English Proficiency (EF EPI)
Rank 57 globally 69
Local Language Barrier
Rank 85 globally 64
Integration Ease
Rank 146 globally 58
Cultural Etiquette Gap
Rank 132 globally 57
Expat Community Size
Rank 202 globally 22
Cultural Distance to West
Rank 117 globally 61
International Schools
Rank 172 globally 35
38
/ 100
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Expat Welcome Culture
Rank 159 globally 44
Foreigner Discrimination
Rank 151 globally 34
Xenophobia Levels
Rank 166 globally 36
Racial Safety for Foreigners
Rank 150 globally 35
42
/ 100
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Rental Access for Foreigners
Rank 167 globally 43
Tax Residency Clarity for Expats
Rank 171 globally 37
Local Contracts and Utilities Access
Rank 172 globally 42
Local Identity and Address Proof
Rank 185 globally 36
Everyday Accounts and Payments for Foreigners
Rank 161 globally 51
๐Ÿ–๏ธ Travel & Vacation ShowHide
34
/ 100
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Hotel Quality
Rank 192 globally 31
Vacation Rental Quality
Rank 178 globally 38
Accommodation Availability
Rank 210 globally 25
Booking & Transparency
Rank 176 globally 42

Tourism Infrastructure

4 indicators

45
/ 100
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Airport-to-Destination Transfer
Rank 189 globally 29
Digital Travel Services
Rank 178 globally 41
Traveler Payment Infrastructure
Rank 152 globally 57
Tourist Information Quality
Rank 157 globally 52
38
/ 100
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Major Attractions Density
Rank 197 globally 28
Guided Tours & Bookable Experiences
Rank 174 globally 45
Tourist Outdoor Activities
Rank 178 globally 50
Nightlife & Entertainment for Visitors
Rank 201 globally 30
35
/ 100
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Tourist Beach Quality
Rank 219 globally 18
Swimming & Water Sports
Rank 219 globally 29
National Parks & Nature Access
Rank 133 globally 58

Vacation Costs

5 indicators

93
/ 100
ShowHide
Hotel Cost
Rank 33 globally 94
Vacation Rental Cost
Rank 34 globally 95
Attraction Entry Cost
Rank 41 globally 92
Tour & Activity Cost
Rank 47 globally 92
Tourist Taxes & Fees
Rank 1 globally 88
70
/ 100
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High-Season Overcrowding
Rank 112 globally 85
Off-Season Usability
Rank 182 globally 58
Seasonal Capacity Shortage
Rank 182 globally 52
Seasonal Price Surcharges
Rank 38 globally 87
๐ŸŒ Society & Participation ShowHide

Society & Freedom

4 indicators

60
/ 100
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Press Freedom
Rank 121 globally 55
Democracy Index
Rank 119 globally 61
Personal Freedom
Rank 129 globally 63
Freedom of Political Expression
Rank 125 globally 58

Education & Knowledge

5 indicators

52
/ 100
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Adult Literacy Rate
Rank 174 globally 82
PISA Score
Rank 170 globally 16
Tertiary Enrollment Rate
Rank 206 globally 8
Education Expenditure
Rank 1 globally 100
School Life Expectancy
Rank 186 globally 55
20
/ 100
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Pension Replacement Rate (%)
Rank 160 globally 0
Unemployment Benefit Duration (months)
Rank 151 globally 0
Social Spending (% of GDP)
Rank 168 globally 17
Gini Index
Rank 160 globally 46
Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 191 globally 0
Housing Support Score
Rank 192 globally 16
Social Mobility Score
Rank 195 globally 20
Social Cohesion
Rank 154 globally 47
49
/ 100
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Gender Equality
Rank 117 globally 58
Womenโ€™s Rights & Equality
Rank 129 globally 52
Anti-Discrimination Protection
Rank 137 globally 43
Minority Rights Protection
Rank 144 globally 39
Everyday Discrimination Risk
Rank 145 globally 40

LGBTQ+ Friendliness

5 indicators

27
/ 100
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Same-Sex Legal Status
Rank 146 globally 18
LGBTQ+ Anti-Discrimination
Rank 142 globally 31
LGBTQ+ Social Acceptance
Rank 149 globally 31
LGBTQ+ Rights
Rank 133 globally 33
Pride Culture
Rank 139 globally 24
33
/ 100
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Disability Support Score
Rank 177 globally 29
Public Accessibility
Rank 171 globally 35
Digital Accessibility
Rank 177 globally 31
Inclusion in Education and Work
Rank 174 globally 37

Religion & Worldviews

4 indicators

58
/ 100
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Religious Freedom Index
Rank 108 globally 77
Secularization Score
Rank 147 globally 37
Religious Diversity Index
Rank 164 globally 28
Religious Influence in Public Life
Rank 131 globally 64

Demography

10 indicators

53
/ 100
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Median Age
Rank 55 globally 80
Fertility Rate
Rank 85 globally 79
Population Growth
Rank 111 globally 40
Net Migration Rate
Rank 214 globally 30
Urbanization Rate
Rank 202 globally 16
Foreign Population Share
Rank 186 globally 25
Population Density
Rank 93 globally 61
Gender Ratio (F/100 M)
Rank 14 globally 73
Youth Gender Ratio (15-29)
Rank 3 globally 96
Single-Person Households
Rank 125 globally 23