(Western countries defined as Europe, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia)
Determining the country most similar to the North & Australasia region requires considering various social, cultural, economic, and political factors. One way to answer this complex question is by analyzing the data from the Country Similarity Index. The index attempts to quantify how similar countries are to each other relative to other countries, using a variety of statistics from five broad categories: demographics, culture, politics, infrastructure, and geography.
According to the data, the most average country in the West is Croatia. It is at the crossroads between Southern, Eastern, and Central Europe, so it makes sense that it is the most average country in the Western World. The country was once part of Austria-Hungary before becoming part of Yugoslavia. Like many countries in Europe it has many Catholics. Furthermore, like most of Eastern Europe, its people speak Slavic languages. They also use the Latin alphabet, as is the standard in the Western World. While its coastline has a Mediterranean climate, its inland portions have a Continental climate. The country is also part of the European Union. Croatia’s high average is due in part to having many extremely similar countries to it that were once part of Yugoslavia.
An analysis of the data shows that the Uruguay is the country most similar to Western countries outside of the North & Australasia. Although it is part of Latin America, it has a lot in common with European nations. Uruguay has a high proportion of people with European ancestry, primarily of Spanish and Italian descent. Although most people in Uruguay are Catholic, the country has the highest percentage of atheists in Latin America. Uruguay is also known for its political stability and democratic governance. The country also has a well-developed social welfare system, like many Western countries. Uruguay is known for its progressive policies. The country allows same sex marriages and also abortion, unlike many Latin American countries. Furthermore, Uruguay has a temperate climate.
In addition, outside of Europe, Canada is the most similar country to Western nations. This is due to its cultural, political, and economic characteristics. Historically, it shares colonial ties with the UK and France, influencing its language and legal systems. Canada’s democratic governance and rule of law resemble those of Western Europe. Economically, it is highly developed, like many European nations. Socially, Canada has extensive welfare programs. Its education system and emphasis on innovation are on par with top Western European standards. Additionally, Canada consistently ranks high on the Human Development Index, reflecting strong health, education, and income levels. Environmental policies in Canada also align with European commitments to sustainability.
(does not include any countries that could in one way or another be defined as part of Europe)
Furthermore, the data shows that Somalia is the least similar country to the West, due to significant disparities in several key areas. Geographically, Somalia is located in the Sahel region of Africa and it has an extremely dry climate, in contrast to most Western countries. It is a predominately Muslim country with extremely conservative laws. Politically, Somalia suffers from prolonged instability and lacks a strong central government, unlike the stable democracies of the West. Economically, it is one of the poorest countries globally. Social services are minimal, and the education system is underdeveloped, resulting in one of the lowest literacy rates globally. Ongoing conflict and violence, including terrorism, plague Somalia. Basic infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, and water supply, is severely lacking.
