America's Ranking among Nations

Michael D. Dulberger has earned two masters' degrees. In 2002, he launched the non-profit group Informed for Life and in 2008, he created a presidential candidate ranking system as a public service that was published by the non-profit corporation www.ProCon.org. In addition to the first edition of this book, Mr. Dulberger is the also the author of Agent's Guide to Long-Term Care, Cars That May Save Your Life, 2015, And Those That Might Not!:Ranking America's Fifty States: A Comparison in Graphic Detail, America's Diverse Population: A Comparison of Race, Ethnicity, and Social Class in Graphic Detail; and America and Its Rivals: A Comparison among the Nations of China, Russia, and the United States.

• Contents.....................................................................................................................................iIntroduction................................................................................................................................xiChapter 1: The Organized Planet1Overview of The Organized Planet.............................................................................................2The United NationsThe United Nations................................................................................................................5Nonmembers of The United Nations in January 2024............................................................6World Map Showing Freedom House Classifications in 2023................................................7Freedom Distribution (for All 193 U.N. Members in 2023).......................................................8World Map Showing U.N Votes on February 23, 2023...........................................................9Freedom Score: Voters "Against" or Abstained (Voting at U.N. on February 23, 2023)............10Group of 20 (G20)World Map Showing G20 Member Nations in 2023 ..............................................................11G20 Members’ Portion of The World in 2021..........................................................................12Freedom Score for G20 Member Nations (Freedom House Scores in 2023)...........................13Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)World Map Showing OECD Member Nations in January 2024.............................................14OECD Members' Portion of The World's GDP ........................................................................15Freedom Score for OECD Members (Freedom House Scores in 2023)..................................16North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)........World Map Showing NATO Members in January 2024 ...............................................................17.......NATO Membership in January 2024............................................................................................. 18Democracy Scores for NATO Members (Freedom House Scores in 2023).............................19Eight Principal U.S. Partners ....................................................................................................20LandSurface Area of Nations (Leading Nations)...............................................................................21Arable Land of Nations (Leading Nations Percent of Total Land)................................................22Arable Land of G20 Members (Millions of Square Kilometers) .................................................23-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ContentsiChapter 2: Demographics24Overview of Demographics....................................................................................................25PopulationPopulation (Leading Nations in 2022).......................................................................................27Population in 2022 (of U.N. Member Voters, on February 23, 2023 Resolution).....................28Population of G20 and OECD Members in 2022....................................................................29Total Population History for Select G20 Members (1973–2022)..............................................30Population of OECD Members in 2022..................................................................................31Population Density (Leading Nations in 2020)..........................................................................32Population GrowthNatural Population Growth History (Select G20 Nations,1972–2022)......................................33Population Growth History with Immigration (Select G20 Nations,1972–2021).......................34Population Growth Rate History of The U.S. (Natural and with Immigration,1972–2021)........35Population Growth Rate (G20 and OECD in 2022).................................................................36Refugees by Nation of Asylum (Leading Nations in 2021)........................................................37Refugees by Nations of Origin ( Leading Nations in 2021)........................................................38Internally Displaced Persons Due to Conflict (Leading Nations in 2021)..................................39Inflow of Migrants by Country of Arrival (OECD Members in 2019)........................................40Foreign-Born Percent of Population (OECD Members in 2019)..............................................41Life ExpectancyFemale Life Expectancy at Birth (G20 and OECD in 2021).....................................................42Female Life Expectancy at Birth History (Principal U.S. Partners, China, 1973–2021)............43Male Life Expectancy at Birth (G20 and OECD in 2021).........................................................44Male Life Expectancy at Birth History (Principal U.S. Partners, China, 1973–2021)................45Life Expectancy Versus GDP per Capita (G20 Members and OECD, 2021)...........................46Life Expectancy Difference History (U.S. Minus Average of Eight Partners, 1960–2021)........47Median Age (Highest and Lowest Nations and G20 Nations in 2019) .......................................48Median Age History of The U.S. Population (1820–2022)........................................................49Young Age Dependency Ratio History (Select G20 Members, 1973–2021)......................50Old Age Dependency Ratio (G20 Members in 2021)..........................................................51Old Age Dependency Ratio History (Select G20 Members, 1973–2021)...........................52Chapter 3: Healthcare and Vital Statistics53Overview of Healthcare and Vital Statistics............................................................................54Healthcare ExpendituresHealthcare Expenditures as Percent of GDP (G20 Members in 2019)...................................56Healthcare Expenditures History (Select G20 Members, 2019) ..........................................57Healthcare Expenditure per Capita in U.S. Dollars (G20 and OECD in 2020)........................58Health Expenditure per Capita Versus Life Expectancy (G20 and OECD, 2021)....................59Vital StatisticsCrude Birth Rate History (Select G20 Members,1973–2020)..................................................60Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff (Nations with Lowest Rate in 2018–2021).....................61Infant Mortality Rate (G20 and OECD in 2021).......................................................................62Infant Mortality Rate History (Principal U.S. Partners and China, 2011–2021)........................63Infant Mortality Rate Versus GDP per Capita (G20 Members and OECD, 2021)....................64Neonatal Death Rate Versus GDP per Capita (G20 Members and OECD, 2021)...................65Under Age Five Mortality Rate (G20 and OECD in 2021).......................................................66Maternal Mortality Ratio (G20 and OECD in 2020).................................................................67Maternal Mortalities History in The U.S. (by Race and Ethnicity, 2018–2021)..........................68Causes of DeathAge-Standardized Total Death Rate (G20 Member Nations in 2019) ......................................69Age-Standardized Death Rate for All Causes (Leading Nations and OECD, 2019).................70Leading Changes in Death Rate in The U.S. (per 100,000 People, 2019)...............................71U.S. Death Rate and Annual Death Count History (1990–2022) ............................................72Crude Death Rate in The U.S. by Age Group (for All Causes in 2021) .....................................73Comparison between Crude and Age-Standardized (Death Rates in The U.S. in 2019)..........74Mortality Distribution for The United States (Deaths for All Causes in 2019)............................75Mortality Comparisons and Classifications.............................................................................76Chapter 4: Communicable Diseases77Overview of Communicable Diseases....................................................................................78Age-Standardized Communicable Disease Death Rate (Leading Nations, G20, 2019)................80COVID-19Cumulative COVID-19 Deaths (Leading Nations as of May 5, 2023).........................................81Death Rate History in The U.S. for All Causes (Age-Standardized, 2020–2021)......................82Causes of Death in The U.S. for All Ages (Percent of Deaths in 2021).....................................83Cumulative COVID-19 Death Rates (Leading Nations as of March, 2023) ..............................84COVID-19 Vaccination Rate Correlation with Death Rate, by State.......................................85COVID-19 Vaccination Rate Correlation with 2020 Presidential Voters.................................86COVID-19 Death Rate Correlation with 2020 Presidential Voters..........................................87Adult Population with HIV (Leading Nations in 2021)....................................................................88Chapter 5: Preventable Deaths89Overview of Preventable Deaths...........................................................................................90Leading Causes of Death in The U.S. for Ages 1–44 (Thousands of Deaths, 2022).....................93Substance Abuse DeathsDrug Use Disorders Crude Death Rate History (G20 Nations 2019).......................................94Drug Use Disorders Age-Standardized Death Rate (Leading Nations and G20, 2019)............95Opioid Use Disorders Crude Death Rate History (G20 Nations 2019).....................................96U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths History (Age-Standardized by Drug Type, 2001–2021)................97U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths History (Age-Standardized by Gender, 2001–2021)....................98Drug Overdose Death Count in The U.S. (by Age Group, Race and Ethnicity in 2021)..............99Drug Overdose Death Rate in The U.S. (by Age Group, Race and Ethnicity in 2021)................100Alcohol Use Disorders Age-Standardized Death Rate (G20 Nations in 2019).........................101InjuriesInjury Age-Standardized Death Rate (Leading Nations and G20 Nations in 2019) ...................102Road Injuries Fatality Rate (G20 and OECD in 2019).............................................................103Road Injury Death Rate Versus GDP per Capita (G20 Members and OECD, 2019)..............104Traffic Fatalities History in The U.S. (Deaths and Death Rate,1972–2021)...............................105Death History Due to Falls in The U.S. (Annual Deaths between 2012–2021).........................106Firearm-Related Death Rate (Highest and Lowest Nations in 2016 and 2021).........................107Firearm-Related Deaths (Highest and Lowest Nations in 2016 and 2021)................................108SuicideFirearm-Related Suicide Rate (Highest and Lowest Nations in 2016).......................................109Suicide Age-Standardized Death Rate (G20 Nations 2019).....................................................110HomicideInterpersonal Violence Age-Standardized Death Rate (G20 Nations in 2019) ........................111Intentional Homicide Rate (OECD Members in 2019) .............................................................112Intentional Homicide Rate History (Select G20 Members, 1991–2020)....................................113Intentional Homicides (Leading Nations in 2020)......................................................................114Chapter 6: Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)115Overview of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs).....................................................................116Noncommunicable Diseases Deaths Percent of Total (G20 and OECD in 2019).......................118NCDs Age-Standardized Death Rate, Leading Nations (G20, 2019)............................................119CardiovascularCardiovascular Age-Standardized Death Rate (Leading Nations and G20 in 2019).............120Heart Disease Age-Standardized Death Rate (G20 Nations in 2019)..................................121Stroke Age-Standardized Death Rate (G20 Nations in 2019)...............................................122Malignant NeoplasmsMalignant Neoplasms Age-Standardized Death Rate (Leading Nations, G20 in 2019).........123Colon and Rectum Cancer Age-Standardized Death Rate (G20 Nations in 2019)..............., 124, Lung, Trachea, Bronchus Cancer Age-Standardized Death Rate (G20 Nations in 2019)...., 125, Alzheimer's and Dementia Age-Standardized Death Rate (G20 Nations in 2019)......................., 126, COPD Age-Standardized Death Rate (G20 Nations in 2019)......................................................, 127, Kidney Diseases Age-Standardized Death Rate (G20 Nations in 2019)....................................., 128, Diabetes Mellitus Age-Standardized Death Rate (G20 Nations in 2019)....................................., 129, Endocrine, Blood, Immune Disorders Age-Standardized Death Rate (G20 in 2019)..................., 130, Parkinson's Disease Age-Standardized Death Rate (G20 Nations in 2019)................................, 131, Chapter 7: Macroeconomics132Overview of Macroeconomics.................................................................................................133Gross National Income per Capita for G20 Members in 2021....................................................135Gross Domestic Product (GDP)Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022 (Leading Nations)......................................................136GDP for G20 Members in 2022..............................................................................................137Gross Domestic Product (GDP) History (Select G20 Members, 1974–2021)...........................138GDP History Based on Purchasing Power Parity (Select G20 Nations,1990–2021)................139GDP History as Percent of World, (U.S. and China, 1960–2022).......................................140Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2021 U.S. Dollars (Leading Nations)..................................141Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for OECD Members in 2022................................................142GDP in 2022 for U.N. Voters (by Votes on The Russian Invasion Resolution)...........................143Major Components of GDP for The U.S. in 2022....................................................................144GDP Growth History, U.S.-China (Percent Change from Preceding Year,1973–2022)............145GDP per Capita with U.N. Voting Highlighted (Leading Nations in 2022) ..........................146Gross Domestic Product per Capita (G20 Members in 2022).............................................147GDP per Capita History (rincipal U.S. Partners and China,1973–2022) ...............................148DebtExternal Foreign Debt (Public Plus Private for Leading Nations in 2019) ..................................149Central Government Debt as Percent of GDP(Leading Nations in 2020).................................150U.S. Federal Public Debt History as Percent of GDP (between 1966–2022)..........................151United States Federal Public Debt History (Trillions of Dollars,1997–2023) ...........................152U.S. Federal Foreign Debt History (between 1970–2022).......................................................153U.S. Treasury Foreign Creditors (Billions of U.S. Dollars as of January 2023).......................154U.S. Federal Government Interest Payments History (between 1950–2023).........................155Reserves Including Gold (Leading Nations in 2021).....................................................................156Reserves History, Including Gold (Select G20 Members between 1973–2021)..........................157Industrial Production Growth Rate (Leading Nations and G20 Nations in 2021) ..........................158Chapter 8: Trade159Overview of Trade..................................................................................................................160U.S. Dollar Exchange Rate Index History (Nominal, Broad Index, 2006–2023)............................162International Tourism (Number of Arrivals in 2019)......................................................................163Trade of Goods and Services for G20 Members (Percent of GDP in 2021) ...............................164Trade BalanceExternal Trade Balance on Goods and Services (Highest and Lowest Nations in 2021) .........165External Trade Balance on Goods and Services (G20 Members in 2021)..............................166Balance of Payments History (Select G20 Members,1973–2021)............................................167U.S. Leading Trade Partners Trade Balance (Goods and Services in 2022)......................168ExportsExport of Goods and Services as Percent of GDP (Leading Nations and G20, 2021)..............169Export of Goods and Services History (Select G20 Members,1973–2021)..............................170U.S. Total Exports in 2022.....................................................................................................171U.S. Leading Trade Partners (Exports of Goods in 2022) ..................................................172U.S. Leading Trade Partners (Exports of Services in 2022)................................................173ImportsImports of Goods and Services (Leading Nations and G20 Members in 2021).........................174Import of Goods and Services History (Select G20 Members,1973–2021)..............................175U.S. Total Imports in 2022......................................................................................................176U.S. Leading Trade Partners (Imports of Goods in 2022) ..................................................177U.S. Leading Trade Partners (Imports of Services in 2022)................................................178Leading Producing Countries of U.S. Minerals 100 percent Imported in 2022 ...................179Map Showing Taiwan’s Neighborhood...................................................................................180Chapter 9: Investments and Infrastructure181Overview of Investments and Infrastructure..........................................................................182New One Family Houses Sold in The U.S. History (between 1963–2022).............................184Foreign InvestmentForeign Direct Investment (Net Outflows, G20 Members in 2022)...........................................185Foreign Direct Investment (Net Inflows, G20 Members in 2022)..............................................186Foreign Direct Investment (Net Inflows History, Select G20 Members,1991–2021)................187Patents and TrademarksPatent Applications by Residents (Leading Nations in 2020)....................................................188Patent Applications by Nonresidents (Leading Nations in 2020)...............................................189Trademark Applications by Residents (Leading Nations in 2020)............................................., 190, Trademark Applications by Residents History (Select G20 Members, 2004–2020)................., 191, Trademark Applications by Nonresidents (Leading Nations in 2020)........................................, 192, Freight Carried by Air Transport (Leading Nations in 2020)........................................................., 193, Passengers Carried by Air Transport (Leading Nations in 2019) ................................................., 194, Rail Line Total Route (Leading Nations in 2021).........................................................................., 195, Cellular Subscriptions Rate (Leading Nations in 2021)................................................................., 196, Internet AccessInternet Access Rate (Leading Nations in 2020).......................................................................197Internet Access Rate for G20 Members in 2020 ....................................................................198Internet Access Rate for OECD Members in 2020 ................................................................199U.S. Foreign Aid in 2021 (Leading Nations Receiving Aid) ...........................................................200Chapter 10: Military201Overview of Military................................................................................................................202Nuclear Warhead Estimates (Leading Nations as of January 2022)..........................................204Armed Forces PersonnelArmed Forces Personnel (Leading Nations in 2019).................................................................205Armed Forces Personnel in 2019 (by U.N. Votes on The February 23, 2023 Resolution)........206Armed Forces Personnel for G20 Members in 2019..............................................................207Armed Forces Personnel History (Select G20 Members,1991–2019)......................................208Armed Forces Personnel for OECD Members in 2019...........................................................209Defense PartnersWorld Map Showing MNNA Nations in January 2024.............................................................210Population of NATO Members in 2022 (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)..........................211Organ………............................................................Armed Forces Personnel for NATO Members (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)212Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for NATO Members……....................................................213GDP per Capita for NATO Members…….............................................................................214U.S. Dual Partnerships with OECD Members and NATO .....................................................215World Map of Major Bi-Lateral/Tri-Lateral U.S. Defense Treaty Partners in Asia, 2024 .......216U.S. Dual Partnerships with OECD Members and Asian Defense Allies................................217Central and South America Map Showing U.S. RIO Treaty Partners in January 2024............218Military ExpendituresMilitary Expenditures as Percent of GDP (Leading Nations in 2021).......................................219Arms Exports SIPRI Trend Indicator Values (Leading Nations in 2020)....................................220Foreign Military Sales by The U.S. Government (by Customer in 2021)..................................221Arms Imports SIPRI Trend Indicator Values (Leading Nations in 2020).....................................222Chapter 11: Poverty223Overview of Poverty...............................................................................................................224PovertyPoverty Headcount Ratio for Leading Nations (Income Below $6.85 per day, 2016–2021)........226Poverty Headcount Ratio for G20 Members (Income Below $6.85 per day in 2019)...............227Poverty as Percent of Age Group 66 and Older (OECD Members in 2018–2019)..................228Poverty in The U.S. History for Over Age 64 (by Race and Hispanic Origin,1987–2021)..........229Poverty in The U.S. for Ages 18–64 History (by Race and Hispanic Origin,1987–2021)............230Poverty in The U.S. for Under Age 18 History (by Race and Hispanic Origin,1987–2021).........231Income DistributionGini Index (Highest and Lowest Nations and G20 Members, 2016–2021)................................232Gini Index History (Select G20 Nations,1991–2020)..............................................................233Income Share Held by Highest Ten Percent (G20 Members in 2021).....................................234Income Share Held by Highest Ten Percent History (Select G20 Members, 2018–21)...........235Income Share Held by Lowest Ten Percent (G20 Members in 2021)......................................236Household Wealth (OECD Members in 2019).............................................................................237Chapter 12: Inflation and Employment238Overview of Inflation and Employment.......................................................................................239Consumer PricesConsumer Price Index in 2022 (Leading Nations and G20, Year 2010 Equals 100)..................241Consumer Price Index (Leading G20 Members, Base Year 2010 Equals 100)..........................242Consumer Prices Inflation Rate for G20 Members (Annual Rate in 2022)...............................243Consumer Prices Inflation Rate for OECD Members (Annual Rate in 2022).............................244U.S. Consumer Price Index History for All Items (1960–2022, 2015 Base = 100).....................245Purchasing Power History, Urban U.S. Consumers (1982–2022, 1982 Base = 100)...............246Mortgage Rates History in The U.S. (1972–2022, 30-Year Fixed Rate)...............................247EmploymentLabor Force Participation Rate (Leading Nations and G20 Members in 2021).........................248Labor Force Participation Rate History (Select G20 Members, 1973–2021)............................249Labor Market Insecurity (OECD Members in 2016) ................................................................250Unemployment as Percent of Labor Force (Leading Nations in 2019)......................................251Unemployment Rate History in U.S. (Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate, 2012–23)252Chapter 13: Society253Overview of Society................................................................................................................254Happiness Rating (Highest and Lowest Nations and G20 Nations in 2022) .................................256Life Satisfaction (OECD Members in 2020) ................................................................................257Feeling Safe (OECD Members in 2020) .....................................................................................258Smoking Prevalence of Males (Principal U.S. Partners, 2000–2020)..........................................259Adult Obesity Rate (Leading Nations in 2016) ............................................................................260Teenage Women Who Had Children or Are Pregnant (Leading Nations, 2011–2021).................261IncarcerationTotal Incarcerated Population in 2021 (Leading Nations).........................................................262Total Incarceration Rate (Select G20 Nations in 2021) ...........................................................263Total Incarcerated Population History (Select G20 Nations, 2000–2021) ...............................264GovernmentRule of Law (G20 nations in 2021)..........................................................................................265Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism Score (G20 in 2021).............................266Proportion of Seats Held by Women in National Parliaments (G20 and OECD, 2022)...........267Voter Turnout, OECD Members (2014–2021) ........................................................................268Central Government Tax Revenue as Percent of GDP (G20 Members in 2020) ....................269Chapter 14: Education270Overview of Education...............................................................................................................271International StudentsTotal Inbound International Tertiary Students in 2018 (Leading Nations)................................273Nations of Origin of International Students (in The U.S. in 2019-2020)......................................... 274Educational AttainmentEducation Attainment of Master's Degree or Higher (Leading Nations in 2020)........................275Education Attainment of Doctorate Degree or Higher (Leading Nations in 2020).....................276Years of Education (OECD Members in 2017) .......................................................................277Educational ExpendituresElementary/Secondary Education Expenditures per Student (OECD, 2018)..........................278Postsecondary Education Expenditures per Student (by OECD Members in 2018)................279Total Education Expenditures per Capita (OECD Members in 2020)......................................280Education Expenditure per Capita Versus Math Literacy Score (G20 Members) ...................281Educational LiteracyMathematical Literacy of a 15-Year-Old Boy (OECD Members and Others in 2018)...............282Mathematical Literacy of a 15-Year-Old Girl (OECD Members and Others in 2018)................283Scientific Literacy of a 15-Year-Old Boy (OECD Members and Others in 2018)......................284Scientific Literacy of a 15-Year-Old Girl (OECD Members and Others in 2018).......................285Reading Literacy of a 15-Year-Old Boy (OECD Members and Others in 2018).......................286Reading Literacy of a 15-Year-Old Girl (OECD Members and Others in 2018)........................287Literacy Rate of Women (Lowest Nations in 2021)...................................................................288Chapter 15: Energy289Overview of Energy....................................................................................................................290Total EnergyWorld's Energy Consumption Analysis (Leading G20 Nations and The OECD in 2021)............292Energy Consumption per Capita (Leading Nations in 2019).......................................................293World's Energy Production Analysis (Leading G20 Members and OECD in 2021)...................294Renewable Energy as Percent of Energy Consumed (Excluding Nuclear, G20 in 2020).........295Total Energy Produced and Consumed History (Select Nations,1980–2021)..........................296Total Energy Surplus History (Select G20 Members and OECD,1980–2021) .......................297Hydrocarbon Production and ConsumptionCarbon Dioxide Emissions (Leading Nations and G20 Member Nations in 2019).....................298Producers of Oil and Petroleum Liquids (Leading Nations in 2021)..........................................299Consumers of Oil and Petroleum Liquids (Leading Nations in 2021)........................................300Producers of Natural Gas (Leading Nations in 2021)................................................................301Consumers of Natural Gas (Leading Nations in 2021)..............................................................302Producers of Coal (Leading Nations in 2021)............................................................................303Consumers of Coal (Leading Nations in 2021)..........................................................................304Energy ReservesReserves of Crude Oil Including Lease Condensate (Leading Nations in 2021).......................305Reserves of Natural Gas (Leading Nations in 2021).................................................................306AppendicesAppendix I: U.N. Members..........................................................................................................307Appendix II: G20 Members..........................................................................................................311Appendix III: OECD Members......................................................................................................313Appendix IV: NATO Members.....................................................................................................314Appendix V: Freedom House Scores..........................................................................................315Appendix VI: European Union Members......................................................................................318Appendix VII: G7 Members...........................................................................................................319Appendix VIII: Principal U.S. Partners...........................................................................................320Appendix IX: BRICS Members.......................................................................................................328Appendix X: APEC Members ..........................................................................................................329Appendix XI: Resources.................................................................................................................330Index...............................................................................................................................................331

Highly recommended, especially for public and college library reference shelves.