Otoom home page

Back to Parallels

 

Demographic orientations

In the Otoom model the processing of information is largely dependent upon the inherent perception by the mind in question (a factor that can be confirmed in reality). That is to say, a mind set which evaluates reality according to some ideological template does not relate to its surrounds but first and foremost to that template. Religion, being a spiritual form of ideology, also can prevent a realistic assessment of one's environs.

The following data encompassing the world's countries have been compiled from the SBS World Guide, an annual publication listing all nations in terms of their characteristics such as population, economy, education, governance, and a summary of their history. The complete set of tables can be found under Downloads (Demographic orientations).

The countries ordered by average life expectancy, infant mortality per 1000 live births, literacy, and GDP per capita show a clear correlation between their values and the ideological predisposition of the population.

Some points need to be made.

Firstly, although Christianity features significantly, it should be remembered that in first-world countries that particular belief system had been largely toned down over the centuries. Hence 'Muslim' in the context of, say, 'Pakistan' does not carry the same meaning as 'Christian' does in the context of 'Belgium'. Indeed the pervasiveness of the former religion - affecting far more aspects of life than the other - creates an atmosphere not experienced in today's first-world demographics. It wasn't always so, as the European Middle Ages for example and their own brand of suffering demonstrated.

Secondly, it may be said that life is more complex than the juxtaposition of a few categories suggest. This is indeed so. Some Arab countries for instance, through their good fortune of having oil under their surface, are able to enjoy a financial clout they otherwise would not have obtained. On the other hand, parameters relating to such manifestations as infant mortality would be even more poignant against such a background (it is also worth remembering that these data refer to demographics, not individuals).

Thirdly, literacy figures describe just that, levels of literacy. It matters whether this is achieved by the reading of mostly religious texts or the more general variety. Therefore a relatively high value here does not necessarily translate into the wider capacity to raise living standards. In the end it comes down to the inherent ability to practise a pragmatic form of realism to answer life's challenges. As the tables show, some demographics manage the task better than others, regardless of their brand of religion. Hence this evaluation does not represent a positing of one religion against another; rather, it is the intensity of a society's ideological disposition that matters. It also needs to be born in mind that an average literacy rate hides a possible discrepancy between males and females (for example, in Burkina Faso the average is 12.8%, but the rate for males is 18.5% and for females it is 8.1%).

One factor, although not necessarily the most significant one, concerns a country's adherence to capital punishment. Nevertheless, as the data show, the death penalty is mostly associated with demographics of a relatively higher ideological intensity because it is ideology that first and foremost demands even the most severe punishment for an act that runs foul of its dogma. This goes for political and religious ideology alike. The claim by its adherents therefore that their religion is one of peace does not hold.

Another point concerns population size. If a nation is many tens of millions strong (sometimes well over a hundred million) and still suffers from an atrocious level of living standards, the claim they do so under some form of extraneous pressure becomes rather disingenuous. The ability to master one's destiny is and always has been the cornerstone of survivability.

Lastly, in an era of so many challenges the question has to be asked as to what extent a cognitively resource-rich society should compromise itself by tying its fortunes to those of a lesser calibre. Especially when the stakes are higher the need to delegate if not restrict tasks of greater complexity to the appropriate demographics becomes part of the answer to the challenge.

Comparative tables:

Average life expectancy - lowest:

Country
Population
Average life expectancy
Infant mortality
Literacy %
GDP / capita
Predominant religion
Capital punishment
Swaziland
1,133,066
32.62
71.85
79.2
2,397
Animist
n/a
Botswana
1,815,508
33.74
53.70
78.9
6,888
Christian
YES
Lesotho
2,125,262
34.40
87.24
81.4
653
Christian
YES
Angola
12,263,596
38.62
185.36
66.9
4,300
African Animist
NO
Zimbabwe
12,311,143
39.29
51.71
90.0
700
Christian/Animist
YES
Liberia
3,195,931
39.65
155.76
55.9
1,000
Animist
n/a
Mozambique
20,905,585
39.82
129.24
46.5
338
Christian
NO
Zambia
11,477,447
40.03
86.84
80.6
1,019
Christian
n/a
Sierra Leone
6,144,562
40.22
160.39
29.6
241
Muslim
YES
Malawi
13,603,181
41.70
94.37
64.1
164
Christian
n/a
South Africa
43,997,828
42.73
60.66
82.4
5,411
Christian
NO
Djibouti
496,374
43.17
102.44
67.9
1,019
Muslim
NO
Afghanistan
31,889,923
43.34
160.23
36.0
354
Muslim
YES
Namibia
2,055,080
43.39
48.10
83.3
3,168
Christian
NO
Central African Republic
4,369,038
43.54
85.63
48.6
1,100
Animist
YES
Niger
12,894,865
43.76
118.25
19.9
800
Muslim
YES
Tanzania
39,384,223
45.64
96.84
78.2
339
Muslim
n/a
Guinea-Bissau
1,472,780
46.67
105.21
42.4
900
Animist
NO
Nigeria
135,031,164
47.08
97.14
66.8
808
Muslim
YES
Rwanda
9,907,509
47.30
89.61
64.0
260
Christian
NO

Average life expectancy - highest:

Country
Population
Average life expectancy
Infant mortality
Literacy %
GDP / capita
Predominant religion
Capital punishment
Aruba
100,018
79.28
5.79
-
21,800
Christian
n/a
Faroe Islands
47,511
79.35
6.12
-
31,000
Christian
n/a
Israel
6,426,679
79.46
6.89
95.3
19,878
Jewish
YES
Norway
4,627,926
79.54
3.67
99.9
71,674
Christian
NO
Spain
40,448,191
79.65
4.37
97.9
29,266
Christian
NO
Liechtenstein
34,247
79.68
4.64
99.9
25,000
Christian
NO
Monaco
32,671
79.69
5.35
99.9
27,000
Christian
NO
France
60,876,136
79.73
4.21
99.9
35,336
Christian
NO
Gibraltar
27,967
79.80
5.06
-
27,900
Christian
n/a
Italy
58,147,733
79.81
5.83
98.6
31,350
Christian
NO
Cayman Islands
46,600
80.07
8.00
-
43,800
Christian
n/a
Canada
33,390,141
80.22
4.69
99.9
39,135
Christian
NO
Iceland
301,931
80.31
3.29
99.9
41,622
Christian
NO
Australia
20,434,176
80.50
4.63
99.9
36,016
Christian
NO
Sweden
9,031,088
80.51
2.76
99.6
41,945
Christian
NO
Switzerland
7,554,661
80.51
4.34
99.9
52,484
Christian
NO
Japan
127,433,494
81.25
3.24
99.9
33,668
Shinto/Buddhist
YES
San Marino
29,615
81.71
5.63
99.1
34,600
Christian
NO
Singapore
4,553,009
81.71
2.29
92.5
30,161
Buddhist
YES
Andorra
71,822
83.51
4.04
-
38,800
Christian
NO

Infant mortality per 1000 live births - highest:

Country
Population
Average life expectancy
Infant mortality
Literacy %
GDP / capita
Predominant religion
Capital punishment
Angola
12,263,596
38.62
185.36
66.9
4,300
African Animist
NO
Sierra Leone
6,144,562
40.22
160.39
29.6
241
Muslim
YES
Afghanistan
31,889,923
43.34
160.23
36.0
354
Muslim
YES
Liberia
3,195,931
39.65
155.76
55.9
1,000
Animist
n/a
Western Sahara
382,617
49.10
136.67
-
-
Muslim
n/a
Mozambique
20,905,585
39.82
129.24
46.5
338
Christian
NO
Niger
12,894,865
43.76
118.25
19.9
800
Muslim
YES
Somalia
9,118,773
48.47
114.89
37.8
600
Muslim
YES
Mali
11,995,402
49.00
107.58
19.0
1,200
Muslim
YES
Tajikistan
7,076,598
64.94
106.49
99.5
1,300
Muslim
n/a
Guinea-Bissau
1,472,780
46.67
105.21
42.4
900
Animist
NO
Djibouti
496,374
43.17
102.44
67.9
1,019
Muslim
NO
Bhutan
2,327,849
54.78
98.41
47.0
1,303
Buddhist
NO
Nigeria
135,031,164
47.08
97.14
66.8
808
Muslim
YES
Tanzania
39,384,223
45.64
96.84
78.2
339
Muslim
n/a
Malawi
13,603,181
41.70
94.37
64.1
164
Christian
n/a
Ethiopia
76,511,887
49.03
93.62
41.5
177
Muslim
YES
Chad
9,885,661
47.52
91.45
25.5
1,500
Muslim
YES
Burkina Faso
14,326,203
48.85
91.35
12.8
1,300
Muslim
YES
Guinea
9,947,814
49.50
90.00
41.0
2,000
Muslim
YES

Infant mortality per 1000 live births - lowest:

Country
Population
Average life expectancy
Infant mortality
Literacy %
GDP / capita
Predominant religion
Capital punishment
Canada
33,390,141
80.22
4.69
99.9
39,135
Christian
NO
Liechtenstein
34,247
79.68
4.64
99.9
25,000
Christian
NO
Australia
20,434,176
80.50
4.63
99.9
36,016
Christian
NO
Belgium
10,392,226
78.77
4.62
99.9
37,164
Christian
NO
Austria
8,199,783
79.07
4.60
99.9
38,865
Christian
NO
Denmark
5,468,120
77.79
4.51
99.9
50,808
Christian
NO
Slovenia
2,009,245
76.33
4.40
99.7
17,267
Christian
NO
Spain
40,448,191
79.65
4.37
97.9
29,266
Christian
NO
Switzerland
7,554,661
80.51
4.34
99.9
52,484
Christian
NO
France
60,876,136
79.73
4.21
99.9
35,336
Christian
NO
Germany
82,400,996
78.80
4.12
99.9
35,002
Christian
NO
Andorra
71,822
83.51
4.04
-
38,800
Christian
NO
Czech Republic
10,228,744
76.22
3.89
99.9
13,654
Christian
NO
Malta
401,880
79.01
3.86
92.6
14,055
Christian
NO
Norway
4,627,926
79.54
3.67
99.9
71,674
Christian
NO
Finland
5,238,460
78.50
3.55
99.9
39,332
Christian
NO
Iceland
301,931
80.31
3.29
99.9
41,622
Christian
NO
Japan
127,433,494
81.25
3.24
99.9
33,668
Shinto/Buddhist
YES
Sweden
9,031,088
80.51
2.76
99.6
41,945
Christian
NO
Singapore
4,553,009
81.71
2.29
92.5
30,161
Buddhist
YES

Literacy rates - lowest:

Country
Population
Average life expectancy
Infant mortality
Literacy %
GDP / capita
Predominant religion
Capital punishment
Burkina Faso
14,326,203
48.85
91.35
12.8
1,300
Muslim
YES
Mali
11,995,402
49.00
107.58
19.0
1,200
Muslim
YES
Niger
12,894,865
43.76
118.25
19.9
800
Muslim
YES
Chad
9,885,661
47.52
91.45
25.5
1,500
Muslim
YES
Sierra Leone
6,144,562
40.22
160.39
29.6
241
Muslim
YES
Vanuatu
211,971
62.85
53.80
34.0
1,571
Christian
NO
Afghanistan
31,889,923
43.34
160.23
36.0
354
Muslim
YES
Somalia
9,118,773
48.47
114.89
37.8
600
Muslim
YES
Benin
8,078,314
53.04
79.56
39.8
1,100
Animist
YES
Gambia
1,688,359
54.14
71.58
40.1
327
Muslim
YES
Iraq
27,499,638
69.01
48.64
40.4
3,400
Muslim
YES
Guinea
9,947,814
49.50
90.00
41.0
2,000
Muslim
YES
Senegal
12,521,851
59.25
52.94
41.0
774
Muslim
NO
Bangladesh
150,448,339
62.46
59.74
41.1
2,136
Muslim
YES
Mauritania
3,270,065
53.12
69.48
41.2
1,047
Muslim
YES
Ethiopia
76,511,887
49.03
93.62
41.5
177
Muslim
YES
Guinea-Bissau
1,472,780
46.67
105.21
42.4
900
Animist
NO
Mozambique
20,905,585
39.82
129.24
46.5
338
Christian
NO
Bhutan
2,327,849
54.78
98.41
47.0
1,303
Buddhist
NO
East Timor
1,084,971
66.26
45.89
48.0
393
Christian
NO

Literacy rates - highest:

Country
Population
Average life expectancy
Infant mortality
Literacy %
GDP / capita
Predominant religion
Capital punishment
New Zealand
4,115,771
78.81
5.76
99.9
24,566
Christian
NO
Monaco
32,671
79.69
5.35
99.9
27,000
Christian
YES
Ireland
4,109,086
77.73
5.31
99.9
52,360
Christian
NO
United Kingdom
60,776,238
78.54
5.08
99.9
38,947
Christian
NO
Netherlands
16,570,613
78.96
4.96
99.9
40,552
Christian
NO
Luxembourg
480,222
78.89
4.74
99.9
85,444
Christian
NO
Canada
33,390,141
80.22
4.69
99.9
39,135
Christian
NO
Liechtenstein
34,247
79.68
4.64
99.9
25,000
Christian
NO
Australia
20,434,176
80.50
4.63
99.9
36,016
Christian
NO
Belgium
10,392,226
78.77
4.62
99.9
37,164
Christian
NO
Austria
8,199,783
79.07
4.60
99.9
38,865
Christian
NO
Denmark
5,468,120
77.79
4.51
99.9
50,808
Christian
NO
Switzerland
7,554,661
80.51
4.34
99.9
52,484
Christian
NO
France
60,876,136
79.73
4.21
99.9
35,336
Christian
NO
Germany
82,400,996
78.80
4.12
99.9
35,002
Christian
NO
Czech Republic
10,228,744
76.22
3.89
99.9
13,654
Christian
NO
Norway
4,627,926
79.54
3.67
99.9
71,674
Christian
NO
Finland
5,238,460
78.50
3.55
99.9
39,332
Christian
NO
Iceland
301,931
80.31
3.29
99.9
41,622
Christian
NO
Japan
127,433,494
81.25
3.24
99.9
33,668
Shinto/Buddhist
YES

GDP per capita in US$ - lowest:

Country
Population
Average life expectancy
Infant mortality
Literacy %
GDP / capita
Predominant religion
Capital punishment
Burundi
8,390,505
50.81
63.13
58.9
125
Christian
NO
Congo, Democratic Republic of
65,751,512
51.46
88.62
65.3
134
Christian
YES
Malawi
13,603,181
41.70
94.37
64.1
164
Christian
n/a
Ethiopia
76,511,887
49.03
93.62
41.5
177
Muslim
YES
Burma / Myanmar
47,373,958
60.97
61.85
89.7
230
Buddhist
YES
Sierra Leone
6,144,562
40.22
160.39
29.6
241
Muslim
YES
Rwanda
9,907,509
47.30
89.61
64.0
260
Christian
NO
Eritrea
4,906,585
59.03
46.30
58.6
293
Muslim
n/a
Madagascar
19,448,815
57.34
75.21
70.6
294
Animist
YES
Uganda
30,262,610
52.67
66.15
68.9
315
Christian
YES
Gambia
1,688,359
54.14
71.58
40.1
327
Muslim
YES
Mozambique
20,905,585
39.82
129.24
46.5
338
Christian
NO
Tanzania
39,384,223
45.64
96.84
78.2
339
Muslim
n/a
Nepal
28,901,790
60.18
65.32
48.6
339
Hindu
NO
Afghanistan
31,889,923
43.34
160.23
36.0
354
Muslim
YES
East Timor
1,084,971
66.26
45.89
48.0
393
Christian
NO
Cambodia
13,995,904
59.29
68.78
69.4
459
Buddhist
NO
Ghana
22,931,299
58.87
55.02
54.1
527
Christian
n/a
Uzbekistan
27,780,059
64.58
69.99
99.3
535
Muslim
NO
Laos
6,521,998
55.49
83.31
68.7
570
Buddhist
n/a

GDP per capita in US$ - highest:

Country
Population
Average life expectancy
Infant mortality
Literacy %
GDP / capita
Predominant religion
Capital punishment
France
60,876,136
79.73
4.21
99.9
35,336
Christian
NO
Australia
20,434,176
80.50
4.63
99.9
36,016
Christian
NO
Belgium
10,392,226
78.77
4.62
99.9
37,164
Christian
NO
British Virgin Islands
23,552
76.68
16.72
97.8
38,500
Christian
n/a
Austria
8,199,783
79.07
4.60
99.9
38,865
Christian
NO
United Kingdom
60,776,238
78.54
5.08
99.9
38,947
Christian
NO
Canada
33,390,141
80.22
4.69
99.9
39,135
Christian
NO
Finland
5,238,460
78.50
3.55
99.9
39,332
Christian
NO
Netherlands
16,570,613
78.96
4.96
99.9
40,552
Christian
NO
Iceland
301,931
80.31
3.29
99.9
41,622
Christian
NO
Sweden
9,031,088
80.51
2.76
99.6
41,945
Christian
NO
United States of America
301,139,947
77.85
6.43
99.9
44,315
Christian
YES
Equatorial Guinea
551,201
49.54
89.21
85.7
50,200
Christian
YES
Denmark
5,468,120
77.79
4.51
99.9
50,808
Christian
NO
Ireland
4,109,086
77.73
5.31
99.9
52,360
Christian
NO
Switzerland
7,554,661
80.51
4.34
99.9
52,484
Christian
NO
Qatar
907,229
73.90
18.04
84.2
53,512
Muslim
YES
Bermuda
66,163
77.96
8.30
98.0
69,900
Christian
n/a
Norway
4,627,926
79.54
3.67
99.9
71,674
Christian
NO
Luxembourg
480,222
78.89
4.74
99.9
85,444
Christian
NO

Notes:

1. The total number of countries listed in the World Guide is 221. In the various tables depicted here those countries have been omitted that do not have an entry for the parameter the table has been ordered by.

2. Here only the first and/or last 20 entries in each table are shown. For the complete set refer to Demographic orientations under Downloads.

Reference:

SBS World Guide, 15th edition, Hardie Grant Books, Prahran, Victoria, Australia, 2007.

infoplease, The Death Penalty Worldwide, accessed on internet 10 Feb 16.

16 Nov 2007
Updated with capital punishment data 10 Feb 2016


© Martin Wurzinger - see Terms of Use