If other countries followed the example set by the least racist countries in the world, the world would be a much better place to live in. You would think that racism is a thing of the past, when finding someone of a different skin color was a unique and rare experience, in a time when being different from someone else was enough of a reason for discrimination, but unfortunately it is present even today.
Consider the world we live in now. There are no restrictions on travel (assuming Trump’s travel ban keeps getting shot down), anyone can go anywhere and most countries now have people of a variety of skin colors, races and nationalities living together. In such a world, it would almost seem absurd to think that anyone could be racist, but unfortunately, our planet is not perfect and such issues are currently major problems.
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Consider the United States. There are over 300 million people, and since it is considered the land of opportunity, people from all over the globe move to the country in search of the American Dream. Despite this, racism is present in the country at an alarming level. The recent election of Donald Trump as President of the United States of America, has seen such racism being displayed openly in a manner that reminds the citizens of the country when segregation was the norm. When your President preaches xenophobia and racism openly, the closeted racists will come out and show their true colors as well, which is why racist incidents and threats rose soon after Trump was elected. One can only hope that this will end soon and that the minorities will be able to breathe easily and not be afraid of being discriminated against.
On the other hand, the 13 least racist countries in the world demonstrate through their values, customs and traditions how to avoid being racist and become an inclusive society. The countries on our list are also brilliant in how they welcome people of other races and nationalities. The most amazing thing is, these countries aren’t really in the same geographic locations. In fact, they could not be further apart! Surprisingly, one of the most progressive continents in the world, Europe, has its fair share of racists, as evidenced in the Most Racist Countries in Europe. I guess this shows that the culture of every country is different, even if they are located right next to each other. For example, while in Pakistan, only 15.8% do not mind someone of a different race living next to them, in neighboring India, the same percentage jumps to 40.9%! And less than 70 years ago, both the countries were one country!
To select the least racist countries in the world, we used the World Values Survey Report, which asked residents of each country if they would prefer to avoid a person of a different race as their neighbors. We then ranked the countries according to the lowest percentage of people who admitted to wanting to avoid people of a different race as their neighbors.
25. Uzbekistan
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 14
While Uzbekistan manages to make this list, more needs to be done in order to bring that percentage further down.
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24. Morocco
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 13.8
Morocco has launched several anti-racism campaigns such as this one, to attempt to completely snuff out this deplorable mindset.
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23. Singapore
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 12.6
Singapore is the hub of the world, and it’s in the culture of the country to mingle with people of different races and nationalities. Hence, racism is something most of the population doesn’t just avoid, but is actually pretty unfamiliar with as well.
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22. Kazakhstan
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 11.2
Over 100 nationalities are present in the country, and each is completely welcome.
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21. Slovenia
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 10.9
While racism is a major problem in neighboring country Hungary, Slovenia has managed to ensure that its citizens are welcoming of all people, no matter what race.
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20. China
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 10.5
China has recently become an international destination, and it’s a good thing its citizens are so welcoming of other people.
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19. Mexico
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 10.2
While Mexicans often face severe discrimination, they themselves are very welcoming of people of different races.
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18. Peru
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 9.3
This South American country is a mixture of dozens of cultures, which is why racism is not a major issue here.
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17. Qatar
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 8.8
While Arabs are the dominant race in Qatar, it is just as welcoming of those belonging to a different race.
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16. Taiwan
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 8.4
Like China, Taiwan has become an international destination, and for that to happen, the country has to be welcoming to everyone, which it is.
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15. Netherlands
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 8.2
The Netherlands is famous for its laid-back culture, which includes not caring about the background of a person.
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14. Zimbabwe
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 8.1
While Zimbabwe has seen racist incidents towards whites, on the whole, the people are pretty accepting of everyone.
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12. United States of America
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 5.6
We mentioned earlier the racist incidents plaguing America, but on the whole, an overwhelming majority is accepting of all races. Considering the population, the number of racist incidents are still not that high and when such an incident does occur, the people come together to help the victims while simultaneously denouncing the crime as well.
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12. Chile
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 5.6
Another South American country, Chile has also never really faced any major issues emanating from racism, making it one of the least racist countries in the world.
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11. Poland
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 5.5
While there has been very little immigration to Poland over the centuries, the country has always had a policy of accepting everyone, regardless of where they came from.
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10. Australia
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 5
While the Aborigines were treated harshly by the white Australians once upon a time, the society has now become very inclusive.
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9. Spain
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 4.8
The Spanish people seem to care little about the race of the people they associate themselves with.
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8. Rwanda
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 3.5
Despite suffering from genocide, Rwanda that ranks 8th on our list of least racist countries in the world has grown leaps and bounds in the last couple of decades and racism barely exists in the country.
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7. Colombia
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 3.2
While some untoward incidents have taken place in Colombia, such as 49 black people dying from starvation due to implicit racism, generally, the people are pretty accepting of everyone, no matter their race.
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6. New Zealand
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 2.9
There has been recent news talking about silent racism in New Zealand, but it is still one of the most inclusive countries in the world.
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5. Sweden
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 2.8
Another country on our list of least racist countries in the world which has welcomed immigrants of all kinds, many Swedes are now concerned about the influx of immigrants which may lead to this percentage being changed in the near future.
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4. Brazil
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 1.9
Dozens of cultures are integral to the Brazilian identity and the country has never really suffered from a major racism problem.
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3. Uruguay
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 1.6
Another South American country that is one of the least racist countries in the world is Uruguay. Again, as is typical of most South American countries, Uruguay has a variety of cultures and tribes and people of various races.
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2. Trinidad and Tobago
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 1.5
There is barely any racism present in Trinidad and Tobago, the number two on our list of least racist countries in the world, with only 1.5% having issues with people of other races as their neighbors.
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1. Argentina
Percentage of people who wanted to avoid people of a different race as neighbors: 1
With only 1% of Argentinians stating that they would avoid people of a different race as their neighbors, Argentina easily tops the list of the least racist countries in the world.
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