Have you ever wondered how similar or different two countries are? The Country Similarity Index attempts to quantify how similar countries are to each other relative to other countries. The index is a statistically-based way to measure this. It weighs equally five major aspects of countries: their demographics, culture, politics, infrastructure, and geography. The methodology is exactly the same for each country. The research combines 1,000 different data points to arrive at the conclusions.
Top 5 Countries Most Similar to Palestine
Palestine is part of the Middle Eastern region. The five most similar countries to it are also predominately Arab. Furthermore, they are all predominately Muslim. Moreover, the typical climates of these countries are hot and dry.
- Syria is located to the north of Israel. Both Syria and Palestine have experienced long-term conflict. They have produced massive numbers of refugees. Unfortunately, Syria and Palestine suffer from high poverty and unemployment. There is limited access to stable education and healthcare, especially for displaced communities.
- Jordan and Palestine are directly adjacent, separated mainly by the Jordan River. The country is historically part of Greater Syria. However, Jordan and Palestine were colonized by Britain, unlike Syria. While both countries are not landlocked, they have little coastline and are mostly desert.
- Yemen and Palestine are two of the least developed states in the Arab world. This is in part due to the fact that they still have ongoing conflicts. As a result, both have high civilian casualties, destroyed infrastructure, and fragile institutions. Yemenis, like many Arabs, express strong solidarity with Palestine.
- Iraq is the largest country in the Fertile Crescent. Both Palestine and Iraq have had unstable political situations recently due to war. ISIS, an acronym for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, recently controlled significant territory in both countries. Many Palestinians see Iraq as a historic ally.
- Egypt shares a direct border with Gaza, a Palestinian territory. So it is no surprise it is on this list as well. In fact, Egypt ruled the Gaza Strip from 1948 to 1967 after the first Arab-Israeli war, though it did not annex it. Both regions were part of various empires: Pharaonic Egypt, Ottoman Empire, and under British influence in the 20th century.
Top 5 Countries Least Similar to Palestine
Interestingly enough, the four of the five least similar countries to Palestine border the Pacific Ocean. However, they are spread across three different continents. They have far greater rule of law. In addition, their infrastructure is significantly more developed.
- Japan is also technically in Asia, but other than that they have little else in common. Japan is an archipelago with a temperate climate in contrast to the hot, dry Palestine. Not only is its geography significantly different, but also its demographics, culture, politics, and technology. Japan’s infrastructure is far more advanced.
- Taiwan is yet another country in the Pacific Ocean on this list. Its demographics, culture, and politics are all very different from Palestine. Most of its people are ethnically Chinese. The country is more densely populated and has far more forested land. Still, unlike some other countries on this list, they both drive on the right side of the road.
- New Zealand is another wet and mountainous archipelago in the Pacific Ocean far away from Palestine. Their infrastructure also is very different as New Zealand uses Type I plugs, drives on the left. In addition, New Zealand’s laws are far more liberal than Palestine’s. New Zealand allows prostitution, same sex marriage, and abortion.
- Canada is much more sparsely populated country than Palestine. It is also much wealthier and its infrastructure is more developed. In addition, Canada’s electrical outlets are different from Palestines, since it uses Type A/B. In addition, Canada has one of the coldest climates in the world.
- Norway is another country that borders the Arctic Ocean on this list, so its climate is much colder than Palestine’s. In addition, Norway’s terrain is significantly more mountainous. Furthermore, Norway consistently ranks among the highest in the world in terms of human development, wealth, and political stability, while Palestine faces significant challenges related to economic development and ongoing conflict.
Full Ranking of Countries and Territories Most Similar to Palestine
All data accurate as of 2020.
Country Comparison
Most Similar Demographics: Jordan
Most Similar Culture: Syria
Most Similar Government: Gambia
Most Similar Infrastructure: Libya
Most Similar Geography: Syria
Least Similar Demographics: Japan
Least Similar Culture: Latvia
Least Similar Government: Denmark
Least Similar Infrastructure: Japan
Least Similar Geography: Solomon Islands