Country profile

Saudi Arabia: Costs, Safety, Relocation and Quality of Life

Saudi Arabia is best read in the Nomadino comparison through the lens of taxes, capital access and financial conditions as well as healthcare and medical protection. The current data points to a mixed overall picture; its strongest main categories are Finance & Taxes and Health, while Taxes & Finance, Wages & Purchasing Power and Vacation Costs stand out at topic level. Before making a decision, check social freedom, participation and openness as well as climate, leisure, nature and day-to-day lifestyle more closely, because the largest deductions come from Religion & Worldviews, LGBTQ+ Friendliness and Privacy & Surveillance.

Overall rating 58.67 points
Global rank Rank 123 globally
Continental rank Rank 26 in Asia

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 Saudi Arabia

Why is Saudi Arabia especially relevant in this comparison?

The profile is shaped mainly by taxes, capital access and financial conditions as well as healthcare and medical protection; its strongest main categories are Finance & Taxes and Health.

Which topics stand out positively for Saudi Arabia?

Taxes & Finance, Wages & Purchasing Power and Vacation Costs show the strongest topic-level results.

What should be checked before making a decision?

social freedom, participation and openness as well as climate, leisure, nature and day-to-day lifestyle deserve closer attention; the largest deductions come from Religion & Worldviews, LGBTQ+ Friendliness and Privacy & Surveillance.

How important is taxes, capital, banking and business formation for Saudi Arabia?

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 Saudi Arabia 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

Saudi Arabia 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 taxes, capital access and financial conditions as well as healthcare and medical protection need to be weighed against different priorities; social freedom, participation and openness as well as climate, leisure, nature and day-to-day lifestyle still deserve closer attention.

Static comparisons

All ratings and indicators for Saudi Arabia

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

76
/ 100
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Homicide Rate
Rank 50 globally 94
Petty Crime Index
Rank 21 globally 81
Women's Safety
Rank 84 globally 63
Organized Crime
Rank 178 globally 41
Kidnapping Risk
Rank 101 globally 80
BAC Limit (โ€ฐ)
Rank 1 globally 100
72
/ 100
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Active Conflicts & War Risk
Rank 165 globally 76
Political Violence
Rank 179 globally 60
Geopolitical Risk
Rank 183 globally 69
Terrorism Risk
Rank 150 globally 96

Natural Hazards

8 indicators

62
/ 100
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Flood Risk
Rank 110 globally 48
Storm Risk
Rank 56 globally 89
Earthquake Risk
Rank 91 globally 73
Drought Risk
Rank 224 globally 14
Wildfire Risk
Rank 56 globally 72
Landslide Risk
Rank 56 globally 66
Tsunami Risk
Rank 80 globally 79
Volcano Risk
Rank 182 globally 64

Privacy & Surveillance

6 indicators

18
/ 100
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State Surveillance
Rank 223 globally 10
Internet Censorship
Rank 221 globally 10
Internet Freedom
Rank 214 globally 22
Data Protection Laws
Rank 169 globally 33
VPN Access
Rank 221 globally 12
Cybercrime Risk
Rank 151 globally 53
46
/ 100
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Rule of Law
Rank 147 globally 45
Property Rights Security
Rank 144 globally 47
Corruption Perception
Rank 107 globally 48
Police Effectiveness
Rank 121 globally 57
Expropriation Risk
Rank 178 globally 34
Extradition Risk
Rank 190 globally 34

Long-Term Stability

4 indicators

61
/ 100
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Political Stability
Rank 117 globally 61
Economic Resilience
Rank 38 globally 73
Government Efficiency
Rank 98 globally 60
Climate Vulnerability
Rank 173 globally 43
โค๏ธ Health ShowHide

Healthcare & Access

12 indicators

70
/ 100
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Healthcare Quality
Rank 72 globally 67
Universal Healthcare Coverage
Rank 58 globally 78
Emergency Care
Rank 81 globally 66
Medicine Access
Rank 78 globally 71
Hospital Infections & Patient Safety
Rank 93 globally 66
Health Insurance for Foreigners
Rank 76 globally 70
Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure
Rank 67 globally 82
Doctor Density
Rank 48 globally 74
Hospital Beds
Rank 112 globally 41
Healthcare Coverage (%)
Rank 97 globally 93
Specialist Visit Cost
Rank 176 globally 35
English-Speaking Doctors
Rank 93 globally 61

Environmental Health

6 indicators

54
/ 100
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Fine Particulate Matter Exposure (PM2.5)
Rank 214 globally 0
Noise Pollution
Rank 187 globally 38
UV Radiation
Rank 136 globally 25
Tap Water Safety
Rank 51 globally 97
Sanitation
Rank 76 globally 86
Waste Management
Rank 44 globally 75
81
/ 100
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Life Expectancy
Rank 60 globally 83
Infectious Diseases
Rank 51 globally 85
Obesity Rate
Rank 207 globally 50
Infant Mortality (per 1,000)
Rank 56 globally 65
Mental Health
Rank 46 globally 71
Suicide Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Maternal Mortality
Rank 36 globally 94
Vaccination Rate
Rank 34 globally 97
Alcohol & Tobacco Consumption
Rank 26 globally 84
Drug and Substance-Use Burden
Rank 1 globally 97
๐Ÿ’ธ Finance & Taxes ShowHide

Taxes & Finance

10 indicators

90
/ 100
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Effective Income Tax Rate (%)
Rank 1 globally 100
Top Income Tax Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Social Security Burden
Rank 138 globally 68
VAT / GST Rate
Rank 99 globally 53
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 1 globally 100
Tax Filing Effort (hours/year)
Rank 14 globally 90
Double Taxation Agreements
Rank 54 globally 71
68
/ 100
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Capital Flow Freedom
Rank 17 globally 76
Capital Market Depth
Rank 15 globally 80
Business Credit Access
Rank 58 globally 72
Investor Protection
Rank 156 globally 42
Foreign Investment Openness
Rank 143 globally 46
Currency Convertibility & Transferability
Rank 6 globally 86
Venture Capital & Startup Financing
Rank 74 globally 67
Alternative Financing Access
Rank 59 globally 72

Banking & Fintech

8 indicators

70
/ 100
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Expat Banking Ease
Rank 74 globally 51
Banking Stability
Rank 17 globally 84
SWIFT / Wire Access
Rank 30 globally 89
Fintech Development
Rank 76 globally 79
ATM Availability
Rank 70 globally 82
Banking Secrecy Index
Rank 27 globally 55
Automatic Tax Information Exchange
Rank 103 globally 23
Cash Transaction Limit
Rank 186 globally 70

Bitcoin & Crypto

6 indicators

33
/ 100
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Crypto Adoption
Rank 115 globally 29
Crypto Regulation
Rank 184 globally 25
Legal Status
Rank 141 globally 38
Bitcoin Merchant Acceptance
Rank 164 globally 10
Crypto Tax Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Bitcoin Cash Access
Rank 117 globally 10

Real Estate & Property

4 indicators

41
/ 100
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Foreigner Ownership Rights
Rank 186 globally 15
Transaction Costs
Rank 9 globally 90
Affordability
Rank 212 globally 28
Gross Rental Yield
Rank 168 globally 48
51
/ 100
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Corporate Tax Rate
Rank 60 globally 50
Cost to Start a Business
Rank 96 globally 69
Labor Market Flexibility
Rank 208 globally 42
Days to Register a Company
Rank 166 globally 41

Macroeconomics

9 indicators

79
/ 100
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GDP per Capita (PPP, USD)
Rank 28 globally 85
Inflation Rate (CPI, %)
Rank 9 globally 99
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Rank 44 globally 78
GDP Growth Rate (%)
Rank 153 globally 75
Economic Freedom Index
Rank 70 globally 64
Tax Burden (% of GDP)
Rank 190 globally 55
Central Bank Independence
Rank 114 globally 66
Foreign Exchange Reserves (months of imports)
Rank 8 globally 93
Current Account Balance (% of GDP)
Rank 109 globally 75
84
/ 100
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Avg. Monthly Net Salary ($/month)
Rank 37 globally 76
Purchasing Power Index
Rank 12 globally 89
Unemployment Rate (%)
Rank 42 globally 90
Wage Growth Rate (%)
Rank 58 globally 78
Salary-to-Rent Ratio
Rank 7 globally 96
Minimum Wage (USD/month)
Rank 68 globally 62
๐Ÿ  Costs ShowHide

Housing & Utilities

5 indicators

66
/ 100
ShowHide
City Rent per Square Meter
Rank 148 globally 36
Rural Rent per Square Meter
Rank 141 globally 51
Electricity Cost
Rank 24 globally 94
Heating & Gas Cost
Rank 101 globally 97
Water & Sewage Cost
Rank 75 globally 96

Food & Basic Goods

7 indicators

52
/ 100
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Milk Price per Liter
Rank 162 globally 31
Bread Price per 500 Grams
Rank 103 globally 64
Egg Price for 12 Eggs
Rank 136 globally 50
Chicken Fillet Price per Kilogram
Rank 161 globally 45
Beef Round Price per Kilogram
Rank 157 globally 46
Vegetable Basket Price per Kilogram
Rank 137 globally 57
Water Price per Liter in Supermarket
Rank 82 globally 73

Dining & Going Out

9 indicators

42
/ 100
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Price of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal
Rank 129 globally 59
Burger Menu Price
Rank 130 globally 75
Cappuccino (Cafรฉ)
Rank 48 globally 90
Local Beer (Restaurant)
Rank 224 globally 1
Local Beer Price in a Market
Rank 224 globally 1
Imported Beer Price in a Market
Rank 224 globally 1
Cocktail (Bar)
Rank 223 globally 1
Mid-Range Wine Bottle Price
Rank 225 globally 1
Soft Drink Price in a Market
Rank 60 globally 95

Mobility Costs

7 indicators

78
/ 100
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Transit Cost
Rank 107 globally 90
Fuel Price ($/L)
Rank 11 globally 90
Car Rental ($/day)
Rank 133 globally 79
Car Insurance ($/yr)
Rank 169 globally 79
Car Purchase Index
Rank 61 globally 33
Driving License Cost ($)
Rank 176 globally 76
City Parking ($/hr)
Rank 146 globally 86
66
/ 100
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Internet Cost
Rank 108 globally 60
Mobile Plan Cost
Rank 131 globally 60
Prepaid SIM & Data Package Cost
Rank 126 globally 76
eSIM & Travel Data Cost
Rank 125 globally 85
Coworking Day Pass Cost
Rank 90 globally 66

Personal Services

4 indicators

67
/ 100
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Haircut Cost
Rank 149 globally 63
Fitness Club Monthly Fee
Rank 148 globally 67
Laundry & Dry Cleaning Cost
Rank 105 globally 80
Local Services Cost
Rank 154 globally 58
๐Ÿ—๏ธ Infrastructure ShowHide
50
/ 100
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Logistics Performance
Rank 33 globally 66
Rail Network Density
Rank 100 globally 15
Airport Connectivity
Rank 69 globally 56
Port Connectivity
Rank 19 globally 58
51
/ 100
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Road Quality
Rank 26 globally 82
Traffic Congestion
Rank 152 globally 42
Road Density
Rank 185 globally 46
Traffic Deaths
Rank 209 globally 28
EV Charging Infrastructure
Rank 53 globally 32

Electricity & Energy

6 indicators

75
/ 100
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Power Outages
Rank 6 globally 99
Electrification Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Energy Self-Sufficiency
Rank 1 globally 100
Renewable Energy Share
Rank 225 globally 2
CO2 Intensity
Rank 208 globally 16
Nuclear Exposure
Rank 1 globally 100
76
/ 100
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Broadband Speed
Rank 76 globally 63
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions
Rank 1 globally 100
Mobile Speed
Rank 55 globally 75
5G Coverage
Rank 25 globally 70

Public Transport

4 indicators

42
/ 100
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Transit Coverage
Rank 112 globally 42
Transit Punctuality
Rank 56 globally 65
Cycling Infrastructure
Rank 131 globally 10
Walkability Score
Rank 133 globally 48
๐ŸŒฟ Lifestyle ShowHide

Work-Life Balance

5 indicators

48
/ 100
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Annual Working Hours
Rank 133 globally 48
Paid Vacation Days
Rank 70 globally 70
Happiness Index (UN)
Rank 41 globally 66
Burnout Risk
Rank 114 globally 50
Public Holidays
Rank 229 globally 8

Climate & Weather

6 indicators

56
/ 100
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Temperature Comfort
Rank 229 globally 14
Sunshine Hours
Rank 1 globally 100
Humidity Comfort
Rank 92 globally 74
Rainy Days
Rank 5 globally 96
Extreme Heat Days
Rank 227 globally 11
Seasonal Variation
Rank 195 globally 54

Outdoor & Lifestyle

5 indicators

41
/ 100
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Beach Quality
Rank 113 globally 56
Mountain Access
Rank 140 globally 30
Protected Land Area (%)
Rank 103 globally 62
Biodiversity Index
Rank 217 globally 35
Forest Cover
Rank 208 globally 1

Leisure & Recreation

4 indicators

49
/ 100
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Sports & Fitness Facilities
Rank 54 globally 61
Urban Green Space Access
Rank 181 globally 42
Leisure Infrastructure
Rank 136 globally 34
Recovery Time
Rank 158 globally 61

Arts & Entertainment

6 indicators

30
/ 100
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Museums per 100,000 People
Rank 158 globally 20
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Rank 47 globally 38
Music & Nightlife
Rank 174 globally 28
Cinema Density
Rank 138 globally 12
Cultural Freedom
Rank 211 globally 18
Football and Stadium Culture
Rank 40 globally 78
43
/ 100
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Cuisine Diversity
Rank 109 globally 40
Restaurant Density
Rank 94 globally 48
Street Food Scene
Rank 107 globally 41
Local Market Quality
Rank 127 globally 44
Cafรฉ Culture
Rank 99 globally 42
Local Freshness
Rank 139 globally 45
Local Authenticity
Rank 112 globally 38

Family-Friendly

7 indicators

49
/ 100
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Childcare Cost ($/month)
Rank 173 globally 75
Paid Parental Leave (weeks)
Rank 213 globally 19
Child Benefit ($/month)
Rank 187 globally 17
Child Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 20 globally 91
Child Safety Score
Rank 122 globally 58
Childcare Coverage (%)
Rank 51 globally 35
Playground Density
Rank 105 globally 48

Pet-Friendly

7 indicators

38
/ 100
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Pet Entry Rules
Rank 152 globally 35
Veterinary Quality
Rank 64 globally 70
Vet Cost Affordability
Rank 182 globally 35
Pet Food Prices
Rank 185 globally 38
Animal Welfare Laws
Rank 156 globally 28
Pet-Friendly Housing
Rank 197 globally 35
Outdoor Pet Access
Rank 198 globally 25
โœˆ๏ธ Relocation & Residency ShowHide
61
/ 100
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Residence Permit Ease
Rank 179 globally 46
E-Government
Rank 66 globally 83
Visa Processing Time
Rank 57 globally 62
Local Registration Requirements
Rank 128 globally 58
Foreign Document & Qualification Recognition
Rank 106 globally 63
Household Goods & Customs
Rank 54 globally 62
International Licence Compatibility
Rank 112 globally 61
53
/ 100
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Visa-Free Tourist Stay Days
Rank 129 globally 35
Visa Application Ease
Rank 111 globally 65
Border Openness
Rank 137 globally 53
Travel & Entry Comfort
Rank 86 globally 65
Visa Income & Asset Requirements
Rank 211 globally 50
61
/ 100
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Digital Nomad Visa
Rank 156 globally 33
Remote Work Legality
Rank 15 globally 83
Freelance Legal Framework
Rank 87 globally 70
Remote Job Market
Rank 78 globally 69
Coworking Density
Rank 81 globally 49
Nomad Community
Rank 99 globally 43
Avg. Remote Salary (USD)
Rank 38 globally 81
55
/ 100
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Work Rights for Foreigners
Rank 132 globally 57
Work Permit Access for Foreigners
Rank 156 globally 53
Local Self-Employment and Freelancing Rights
Rank 105 globally 62
Employment Restrictions for Foreigners
Rank 181 globally 41
Professional Qualification Recognition
Rank 97 globally 63
Business Ownership by Foreigners
Rank 148 globally 53
39
/ 100
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Time to Permanent Residency or Citizenship
Rank 124 globally 42
Family Reunification
Rank 167 globally 48
Naturalization Requirements
Rank 200 globally 32
Residence Status Stability
Rank 183 globally 43
Residence Status for Spouses and Children
Rank 182 globally 40
Passport Power (Henley Index)
Rank 130 globally 38
Dual Citizenship Allowed
Rank 191 globally 40
Citizenship by Investment
Rank 13 globally 0

Language & Integration

7 indicators

44
/ 100
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English Proficiency (EF EPI)
Rank 183 globally 29
Local Language Barrier
Rank 201 globally 31
Integration Ease
Rank 146 globally 58
Cultural Etiquette Gap
Rank 207 globally 39
Expat Community Size
Rank 24 globally 67
Cultural Distance to West
Rank 214 globally 34
International Schools
Rank 57 globally 53
25
/ 100
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Expat Welcome Culture
Rank 196 globally 35
Foreigner Discrimination
Rank 203 globally 19
Xenophobia Levels
Rank 194 globally 29
Racial Safety for Foreigners
Rank 212 globally 14
55
/ 100
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Rental Access for Foreigners
Rank 150 globally 47
Tax Residency Clarity for Expats
Rank 72 globally 56
Local Contracts and Utilities Access
Rank 116 globally 56
Local Identity and Address Proof
Rank 108 globally 58
Everyday Accounts and Payments for Foreigners
Rank 101 globally 63
๐Ÿ–๏ธ Travel & Vacation ShowHide
62
/ 100
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Hotel Quality
Rank 73 globally 67
Vacation Rental Quality
Rank 97 globally 64
Accommodation Availability
Rank 107 globally 53
Booking & Transparency
Rank 102 globally 65

Tourism Infrastructure

4 indicators

67
/ 100
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Airport-to-Destination Transfer
Rank 92 globally 54
Digital Travel Services
Rank 57 globally 77
Traveler Payment Infrastructure
Rank 84 globally 77
Tourist Information Quality
Rank 136 globally 59
53
/ 100
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Major Attractions Density
Rank 99 globally 48
Guided Tours & Bookable Experiences
Rank 125 globally 60
Tourist Outdoor Activities
Rank 142 globally 57
Nightlife & Entertainment for Visitors
Rank 129 globally 48
60
/ 100
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Tourist Beach Quality
Rank 103 globally 68
Swimming & Water Sports
Rank 112 globally 64
National Parks & Nature Access
Rank 169 globally 49

Vacation Costs

5 indicators

84
/ 100
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Hotel Cost
Rank 96 globally 83
Vacation Rental Cost
Rank 94 globally 84
Attraction Entry Cost
Rank 103 globally 86
Tour & Activity Cost
Rank 129 globally 82
Tourist Taxes & Fees
Rank 65 globally 84
80
/ 100
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High-Season Overcrowding
Rank 54 globally 89
Off-Season Usability
Rank 76 globally 73
Seasonal Capacity Shortage
Rank 81 globally 70
Seasonal Price Surcharges
Rank 63 globally 86
๐ŸŒ Society & Participation ShowHide

Society & Freedom

4 indicators

21
/ 100
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Press Freedom
Rank 223 globally 17
Democracy Index
Rank 215 globally 19
Personal Freedom
Rank 223 globally 34
Freedom of Political Expression
Rank 214 globally 10

Education & Knowledge

5 indicators

77
/ 100
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Adult Literacy Rate
Rank 97 globally 97
PISA Score
Rank 106 globally 40
Tertiary Enrollment Rate
Rank 29 globally 72
Education Expenditure
Rank 1 globally 100
School Life Expectancy
Rank 71 globally 75
43
/ 100
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Pension Replacement Rate (%)
Rank 160 globally 0
Unemployment Benefit Duration (months)
Rank 95 globally 25
Social Spending (% of GDP)
Rank 96 globally 33
Gini Index
Rank 121 globally 57
Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 10 globally 85
Housing Support Score
Rank 97 globally 44
Social Mobility Score
Rank 76 globally 54
Social Cohesion
Rank 165 globally 44
31
/ 100
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Gender Equality
Rank 190 globally 41
Womenโ€™s Rights & Equality
Rank 184 globally 39
Anti-Discrimination Protection
Rank 205 globally 22
Minority Rights Protection
Rank 214 globally 14
Everyday Discrimination Risk
Rank 206 globally 22

LGBTQ+ Friendliness

5 indicators

5
/ 100
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Same-Sex Legal Status
Rank 225 globally 0
LGBTQ+ Anti-Discrimination
Rank 209 globally 11
LGBTQ+ Social Acceptance
Rank 213 globally 6
LGBTQ+ Rights
Rank 216 globally 4
Pride Culture
Rank 217 globally 0
43
/ 100
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Disability Support Score
Rank 148 globally 40
Public Accessibility
Rank 155 globally 40
Digital Accessibility
Rank 133 globally 47
Inclusion in Education and Work
Rank 141 globally 48

Religion & Worldviews

4 indicators

5
/ 100
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Religious Freedom Index
Rank 227 globally 5
Secularization Score
Rank 226 globally 4
Religious Diversity Index
Rank 226 globally 4
Religious Influence in Public Life
Rank 227 globally 5

Demography

10 indicators

63
/ 100
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Median Age
Rank 95 globally 65
Fertility Rate
Rank 42 globally 95
Population Growth
Rank 55 globally 56
Net Migration Rate
Rank 31 globally 67
Urbanization Rate
Rank 53 globally 81
Foreign Population Share
Rank 20 globally 94
Population Density
Rank 26 globally 77
Gender Ratio (F/100 M)
Rank 223 globally 0
Youth Gender Ratio (15-29)
Rank 224 globally 35
Single-Person Households
Rank 156 globally 14