Country profile

Palau: Costs, Safety, Relocation and Quality of Life

Palau is best read in the Nomadino comparison through the lens of safety, stability and risk exposure as well as healthcare and medical protection. The current data points to a mixed overall picture; its strongest main categories are Safety & Risk and Health, while Conflicts & Political Security, Taxes & Finance and Beaches, Nature & Relaxation 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 58.40 points
Global rank Rank 131 globally
Continental rank Rank 8 in Oceania

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 Palau

Why is Palau especially relevant in this comparison?

The profile is shaped mainly by safety, stability and risk exposure as well as healthcare and medical protection; its strongest main categories are Safety & Risk and Health.

Which topics stand out positively for Palau?

Conflicts & Political Security, Taxes & Finance and Beaches, Nature & Relaxation 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 safety-focused decisions and risk checks for Palau?

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 Palau 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

Palau 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 safety, stability and risk exposure as well as healthcare and medical protection 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.

Static comparisons

All ratings and indicators for Palau

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

75
/ 100
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Homicide Rate
Rank 187 globally 72
Petty Crime Index
Rank 34 globally 75
Women's Safety
Rank 51 globally 71
Organized Crime
Rank 38 globally 67
Kidnapping Risk
Rank 49 globally 88
BAC Limit (‰)
Rank 1 globally 100
93
/ 100
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Active Conflicts & War Risk
Rank 7 globally 96
Political Violence
Rank 38 globally 87
Geopolitical Risk
Rank 42 globally 92
Terrorism Risk
Rank 1 globally 100

Natural Hazards

8 indicators

75
/ 100
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Flood Risk
Rank 23 globally 84
Storm Risk
Rank 126 globally 71
Earthquake Risk
Rank 28 globally 90
Drought Risk
Rank 63 globally 75
Wildfire Risk
Rank 86 globally 55
Landslide Risk
Rank 92 globally 58
Tsunami Risk
Rank 129 globally 55
Volcano Risk
Rank 1 globally 100

Privacy & Surveillance

6 indicators

72
/ 100
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State Surveillance
Rank 71 globally 73
Internet Censorship
Rank 65 globally 79
Internet Freedom
Rank 76 globally 72
Data Protection Laws
Rank 107 globally 54
VPN Access
Rank 77 globally 80
Cybercrime Risk
Rank 58 globally 69
60
/ 100
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Rule of Law
Rank 92 globally 57
Property Rights Security
Rank 101 globally 57
Corruption Perception
Rank 79 globally 58
Police Effectiveness
Rank 72 globally 69
Expropriation Risk
Rank 97 globally 61
Extradition Risk
Rank 3 globally 68

Long-Term Stability

4 indicators

56
/ 100
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Political Stability
Rank 50 globally 74
Economic Resilience
Rank 158 globally 54
Government Efficiency
Rank 102 globally 59
Climate Vulnerability
Rank 208 globally 28
❤️ Health ShowHide

Healthcare & Access

12 indicators

66
/ 100
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Healthcare Quality
Rank 119 globally 59
Universal Healthcare Coverage
Rank 91 globally 71
Emergency Care
Rank 95 globally 64
Medicine Access
Rank 83 globally 70
Hospital Infections & Patient Safety
Rank 99 globally 64
Health Insurance for Foreigners
Rank 149 globally 58
Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure
Rank 48 globally 85
Doctor Density
Rank 112 globally 51
Hospital Beds
Rank 33 globally 65
Healthcare Coverage (%)
Rank 97 globally 93
Specialist Visit Cost
Rank 129 globally 51
English-Speaking Doctors
Rank 85 globally 62

Environmental Health

6 indicators

74
/ 100
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Fine Particulate Matter Exposure (PM2.5)
Rank 28 globally 95
Noise Pollution
Rank 11 globally 78
UV Radiation
Rank 161 globally 15
Tap Water Safety
Rank 73 globally 92
Sanitation
Rank 104 globally 75
Waste Management
Rank 95 globally 45
61
/ 100
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Life Expectancy
Rank 167 globally 55
Infectious Diseases
Rank 23 globally 88
Obesity Rate
Rank 207 globally 50
Infant Mortality (per 1,000)
Rank 156 globally 34
Mental Health
Rank 142 globally 59
Suicide Rate
Rank 159 globally 48
Maternal Mortality
Rank 159 globally 46
Vaccination Rate
Rank 49 globally 96
Alcohol & Tobacco Consumption
Rank 101 globally 65
Drug and Substance-Use Burden
Rank 206 globally 61
💸 Finance & Taxes ShowHide

Taxes & Finance

10 indicators

86
/ 100
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Effective Income Tax Rate (%)
Rank 140 globally 81
Top Income Tax Rate
Rank 34 globally 87
Social Security Burden
Rank 1 globally 100
VAT / GST Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Capital Gains Tax
Rank 1 globally 100
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 65 globally 76
Double Taxation Agreements
Rank 189 globally 1
49
/ 100
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Capital Flow Freedom
Rank 172 globally 57
Capital Market Depth
Rank 195 globally 47
Business Credit Access
Rank 184 globally 45
Investor Protection
Rank 112 globally 53
Foreign Investment Openness
Rank 170 globally 40
Currency Convertibility & Transferability
Rank 163 globally 65
Venture Capital & Startup Financing
Rank 169 globally 42
Alternative Financing Access
Rank 204 globally 31

Banking & Fintech

8 indicators

50
/ 100
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Expat Banking Ease
Rank 159 globally 28
Banking Stability
Rank 208 globally 38
SWIFT / Wire Access
Rank 174 globally 73
Fintech Development
Rank 206 globally 10
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

29
/ 100
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Crypto Adoption
Rank 204 globally 13
Crypto Regulation
Rank 154 globally 31
Legal Status
Rank 159 globally 32
Bitcoin Merchant Acceptance
Rank 177 globally 8
Crypto Tax Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Bitcoin Cash Access
Rank 175 globally 6

Real Estate & Property

4 indicators

48
/ 100
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Foreigner Ownership Rights
Rank 199 globally 10
Transaction Costs
Rank 118 globally 65
Affordability
Rank 87 globally 70
Gross Rental Yield
Rank 144 globally 55
63
/ 100
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Corporate Tax Rate
Rank 14 globally 90
Cost to Start a Business
Rank 139 globally 56
Labor Market Flexibility
Rank 100 globally 58
Days to Register a Company
Rank 186 globally 36

Macroeconomics

9 indicators

70
/ 100
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GDP per Capita (PPP, USD)
Rank 124 globally 58
Inflation Rate (CPI, %)
Rank 114 globally 87
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Rank 34 globally 84
GDP Growth Rate (%)
Rank 147 globally 77
Economic Freedom Index
Rank 117 globally 58
Tax Burden (% of GDP)
Rank 97 globally 89
Central Bank Independence
Rank 136 globally 63
Foreign Exchange Reserves (months of imports)
Rank 29 globally 81
Current Account Balance (% of GDP)
Rank 226 globally 1
46
/ 100
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Avg. Monthly Net Salary ($/month)
Rank 93 globally 50
Purchasing Power Index
Rank 155 globally 22
Unemployment Rate (%)
Rank 175 globally 52
Wage Growth Rate (%)
Rank 117 globally 72
Salary-to-Rent Ratio
Rank 139 globally 57
Minimum Wage (USD/month)
Rank 68 globally 62
🏠 Costs ShowHide

Housing & Utilities

5 indicators

53
/ 100
ShowHide
City Rent per Square Meter
Rank 159 globally 33
Rural Rent per Square Meter
Rank 150 globally 48
Electricity Cost
Rank 194 globally 40
Heating & Gas Cost
Rank 101 globally 97
Water & Sewage Cost
Rank 120 globally 92

Food & Basic Goods

7 indicators

49
/ 100
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Milk Price per Liter
Rank 173 globally 27
Bread Price per 500 Grams
Rank 131 globally 50
Egg Price for 12 Eggs
Rank 123 globally 51
Chicken Fillet Price per Kilogram
Rank 132 globally 58
Beef Round Price per Kilogram
Rank 131 globally 53
Vegetable Basket Price per Kilogram
Rank 133 globally 58
Water Price per Liter in Supermarket
Rank 178 globally 37

Dining & Going Out

9 indicators

50
/ 100
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Price of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal
Rank 165 globally 43
Burger Menu Price
Rank 168 globally 57
Cappuccino (Café)
Rank 170 globally 48
Local Beer (Restaurant)
Rank 163 globally 55
Local Beer Price in a Market
Rank 172 globally 62
Imported Beer Price in a Market
Rank 185 globally 55
Cocktail (Bar)
Rank 165 globally 49
Mid-Range Wine Bottle Price
Rank 184 globally 35
Soft Drink Price in a Market
Rank 179 globally 42

Mobility Costs

7 indicators

72
/ 100
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Transit Cost
Rank 107 globally 90
Fuel Price ($/L)
Rank 149 globally 54
Car Rental ($/day)
Rank 182 globally 70
Car Insurance ($/yr)
Rank 107 globally 92
Car Purchase Index
Rank 94 globally 14
Driving License Cost ($)
Rank 109 globally 94
City Parking ($/hr)
Rank 121 globally 91
41
/ 100
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Internet Cost
Rank 181 globally 41
Mobile Plan Cost
Rank 194 globally 38
Prepaid SIM & Data Package Cost
Rank 202 globally 45
eSIM & Travel Data Cost
Rank 206 globally 54
Coworking Day Pass Cost
Rank 212 globally 34

Personal Services

4 indicators

56
/ 100
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Haircut Cost
Rank 175 globally 53
Fitness Club Monthly Fee
Rank 172 globally 59
Laundry & Dry Cleaning Cost
Rank 170 globally 59
Local Services Cost
Rank 169 globally 51
🏗️ Infrastructure ShowHide
9
/ 100
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Logistics Performance
Rank 188 globally 10
Rail Network Density
Rank 134 globally 1
Airport Connectivity
Rank 184 globally 18
Port Connectivity
Rank 175 globally 8
62
/ 100
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Road Quality
Rank 91 globally 51
Traffic Congestion
Rank 6 globally 88
Road Density
Rank 123 globally 56
Traffic Deaths
Rank 26 globally 90
EV Charging Infrastructure
Rank 141 globally 5

Electricity & Energy

6 indicators

58
/ 100
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Power Outages
Rank 127 globally 82
Electrification Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Energy Self-Sufficiency
Rank 202 globally 10
Renewable Energy Share
Rank 162 globally 18
CO2 Intensity
Rank 185 globally 24
Nuclear Exposure
Rank 1 globally 100
27
/ 100
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Broadband Speed
Rank 168 globally 31
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions
Rank 149 globally 18
Mobile Speed
Rank 155 globally 42
5G Coverage
Rank 140 globally 5

Public Transport

4 indicators

31
/ 100
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Transit Coverage
Rank 196 globally 20
Transit Punctuality
Rank 120 globally 52
Cycling Infrastructure
Rank 154 globally 8
Walkability Score
Rank 150 globally 45
🌿 Lifestyle ShowHide

Work-Life Balance

5 indicators

58
/ 100
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Annual Working Hours
Rank 63 globally 64
Paid Vacation Days
Rank 154 globally 47
Happiness Index (UN)
Rank 76 globally 63
Burnout Risk
Rank 50 globally 65
Public Holidays
Rank 63 globally 52

Climate & Weather

6 indicators

70
/ 100
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Temperature Comfort
Rank 82 globally 66
Sunshine Hours
Rank 129 globally 78
Humidity Comfort
Rank 194 globally 46
Rainy Days
Rank 218 globally 44
Extreme Heat Days
Rank 33 globally 98
Seasonal Variation
Rank 1 globally 100

Outdoor & Lifestyle

5 indicators

76
/ 100
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Beach Quality
Rank 10 globally 92
Mountain Access
Rank 163 globally 22
Protected Land Area (%)
Rank 1 globally 100
Biodiversity Index
Rank 48 globally 76
Forest Cover
Rank 1 globally 100

Leisure & Recreation

4 indicators

53
/ 100
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Sports & Fitness Facilities
Rank 175 globally 22
Urban Green Space Access
Rank 9 globally 88
Leisure Infrastructure
Rank 159 globally 27
Recovery Time
Rank 79 globally 73

Arts & Entertainment

6 indicators

27
/ 100
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Museums per 100,000 People
Rank 114 globally 29
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Rank 191 globally 0
Music & Nightlife
Rank 184 globally 25
Cinema Density
Rank 138 globally 12
Cultural Freedom
Rank 80 globally 65
Football and Stadium Culture
Rank 220 globally 39
20
/ 100
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Cuisine Diversity
Rank 203 globally 19
Restaurant Density
Rank 199 globally 20
Street Food Scene
Rank 211 globally 17
Local Market Quality
Rank 215 globally 20
Café Culture
Rank 184 globally 19
Local Freshness
Rank 220 globally 18
Local Authenticity
Rank 179 globally 24

Family-Friendly

7 indicators

53
/ 100
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Childcare Cost ($/month)
Rank 102 globally 94
Paid Parental Leave (weeks)
Rank 97 globally 31
Child Benefit ($/month)
Rank 120 globally 21
Child Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 49 globally 86
Child Safety Score
Rank 65 globally 70
Childcare Coverage (%)
Rank 94 globally 20
Playground Density
Rank 105 globally 48

Pet-Friendly

7 indicators

43
/ 100
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Pet Entry Rules
Rank 152 globally 35
Veterinary Quality
Rank 156 globally 35
Vet Cost Affordability
Rank 169 globally 40
Pet Food Prices
Rank 185 globally 38
Animal Welfare Laws
Rank 142 globally 30
Pet-Friendly Housing
Rank 48 globally 58
Outdoor Pet Access
Rank 82 globally 62
✈️ Relocation & Residency ShowHide
61
/ 100
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Residence Permit Ease
Rank 116 globally 69
E-Government
Rank 159 globally 56
Visa Processing Time
Rank 27 globally 70
Local Registration Requirements
Rank 118 globally 60
Foreign Document & Qualification Recognition
Rank 113 globally 61
Household Goods & Customs
Rank 157 globally 33
International Licence Compatibility
Rank 112 globally 61
69
/ 100
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Visa-Free Tourist Stay Days
Rank 38 globally 75
Visa Application Ease
Rank 111 globally 65
Border Openness
Rank 101 globally 71
Travel & Entry Comfort
Rank 141 globally 49
Visa Income & Asset Requirements
Rank 106 globally 89
44
/ 100
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Digital Nomad Visa
Rank 110 globally 41
Remote Work Legality
Rank 151 globally 48
Freelance Legal Framework
Rank 124 globally 63
Remote Job Market
Rank 143 globally 52
Coworking Density
Rank 198 globally 20
Nomad Community
Rank 159 globally 28
Avg. Remote Salary (USD)
Rank 129 globally 48
59
/ 100
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Work Rights for Foreigners
Rank 114 globally 61
Work Permit Access for Foreigners
Rank 110 globally 64
Local Self-Employment and Freelancing Rights
Rank 131 globally 56
Employment Restrictions for Foreigners
Rank 106 globally 60
Professional Qualification Recognition
Rank 118 globally 58
Business Ownership by Foreigners
Rank 165 globally 49
64
/ 100
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Time to Permanent Residency or Citizenship
Rank 78 globally 64
Family Reunification
Rank 107 globally 67
Naturalization Requirements
Rank 101 globally 69
Residence Status Stability
Rank 96 globally 68
Residence Status for Spouses and Children
Rank 104 globally 63
Passport Power (Henley Index)
Rank 116 globally 57
Dual Citizenship Allowed
Rank 57 globally 90
Citizenship by Investment
Rank 13 globally 0

Language & Integration

7 indicators

66
/ 100
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English Proficiency (EF EPI)
Rank 31 globally 79
Local Language Barrier
Rank 36 globally 74
Integration Ease
Rank 74 globally 71
Cultural Etiquette Gap
Rank 85 globally 67
Expat Community Size
Rank 71 globally 47
Cultural Distance to West
Rank 70 globally 70
International Schools
Rank 123 globally 43
61
/ 100
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Expat Welcome Culture
Rank 92 globally 66
Foreigner Discrimination
Rank 95 globally 55
Xenophobia Levels
Rank 86 globally 64
Racial Safety for Foreigners
Rank 89 globally 59
55
/ 100
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Rental Access for Foreigners
Rank 99 globally 60
Tax Residency Clarity for Expats
Rank 88 globally 52
Local Contracts and Utilities Access
Rank 141 globally 51
Local Identity and Address Proof
Rank 120 globally 54
Everyday Accounts and Payments for Foreigners
Rank 155 globally 52
🏖️ Travel & Vacation ShowHide
48
/ 100
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Hotel Quality
Rank 143 globally 49
Vacation Rental Quality
Rank 143 globally 50
Accommodation Availability
Rank 160 globally 38
Booking & Transparency
Rank 140 globally 54

Tourism Infrastructure

4 indicators

48
/ 100
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Airport-to-Destination Transfer
Rank 160 globally 36
Digital Travel Services
Rank 175 globally 42
Traveler Payment Infrastructure
Rank 171 globally 51
Tourist Information Quality
Rank 117 globally 64
52
/ 100
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Major Attractions Density
Rank 172 globally 33
Guided Tours & Bookable Experiences
Rank 140 globally 54
Tourist Outdoor Activities
Rank 33 globally 81
Nightlife & Entertainment for Visitors
Rank 170 globally 38
81
/ 100
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Tourist Beach Quality
Rank 30 globally 89
Swimming & Water Sports
Rank 82 globally 70
National Parks & Nature Access
Rank 24 globally 85

Vacation Costs

5 indicators

75
/ 100
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Hotel Cost
Rank 146 globally 73
Vacation Rental Cost
Rank 144 globally 74
Attraction Entry Cost
Rank 149 globally 74
Tour & Activity Cost
Rank 153 globally 75
Tourist Taxes & Fees
Rank 106 globally 78
68
/ 100
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High-Season Overcrowding
Rank 192 globally 79
Off-Season Usability
Rank 158 globally 62
Seasonal Capacity Shortage
Rank 165 globally 56
Seasonal Price Surcharges
Rank 200 globally 75
🌐 Society & Participation ShowHide

Society & Freedom

4 indicators

74
/ 100
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Press Freedom
Rank 63 globally 70
Democracy Index
Rank 67 globally 76
Personal Freedom
Rank 84 globally 70
Freedom of Political Expression
Rank 73 globally 77

Education & Knowledge

5 indicators

70
/ 100
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Adult Literacy Rate
Rank 72 globally 98
PISA Score
Rank 148 globally 28
Tertiary Enrollment Rate
Rank 102 globally 45
Education Expenditure
Rank 1 globally 100
School Life Expectancy
Rank 54 globally 78
39
/ 100
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Pension Replacement Rate (%)
Rank 113 globally 17
Unemployment Benefit Duration (months)
Rank 151 globally 0
Social Spending (% of GDP)
Rank 127 globally 27
Gini Index
Rank 79 globally 63
Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 99 globally 45
Housing Support Score
Rank 120 globally 38
Social Mobility Score
Rank 104 globally 49
Social Cohesion
Rank 77 globally 64
63
/ 100
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Gender Equality
Rank 74 globally 67
Women’s Rights & Equality
Rank 72 globally 67
Anti-Discrimination Protection
Rank 86 globally 58
Minority Rights Protection
Rank 83 globally 58
Everyday Discrimination Risk
Rank 78 globally 60

LGBTQ+ Friendliness

5 indicators

45
/ 100
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Same-Sex Legal Status
Rank 105 globally 38
LGBTQ+ Anti-Discrimination
Rank 96 globally 46
LGBTQ+ Social Acceptance
Rank 92 globally 52
LGBTQ+ Rights
Rank 97 globally 45
Pride Culture
Rank 99 globally 39
53
/ 100
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Disability Support Score
Rank 93 globally 53
Public Accessibility
Rank 103 globally 51
Digital Accessibility
Rank 120 globally 49
Inclusion in Education and Work
Rank 85 globally 62

Religion & Worldviews

4 indicators

63
/ 100
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Religious Freedom Index
Rank 84 globally 81
Secularization Score
Rank 110 globally 43
Religious Diversity Index
Rank 125 globally 35
Religious Influence in Public Life
Rank 94 globally 69

Demography

10 indicators

58
/ 100
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Median Age
Rank 144 globally 50
Fertility Rate
Rank 67 globally 85
Population Growth
Rank 154 globally 30
Net Migration Rate
Rank 194 globally 33
Urbanization Rate
Rank 63 globally 78
Foreign Population Share
Rank 47 globally 76
Population Density
Rank 68 globally 65
Gender Ratio (F/100 M)
Rank 191 globally 40
Youth Gender Ratio (15-29)
Rank 173 globally 86
Single-Person Households
Rank 91 globally 37