Most Scientifically Advanced?

[The Grendels]

This ranking seems based on industry, particularly private industry. Looking at the top of the ranking was virtually a who's who of economic giants.

There are several examples of nations with no education spending atop the rankings. This doesn't mean they shouldn't be technologically advanced but nations with high education and high economies were not fairly represented.

Also it seems those nations that focus on environment were unfairly punished. Nations with high economy and high environment should rate very high since they are researching areas nations that focus solely on the economy never venture to research.

Corsaria ks rated as an economic power and has the highest HDI and education yet is listed as one of the most primitive nations. That makes no sense. This ranking is more flawed than public transport, if that is possible.

There are a lot of science friendly issues and a lot of non-specific education issues. You could spend a ton on your education budget, but just be a nation known for exceptional research in their philosophy or history departments. Education spending alone doesn't mean most scientifically advanced. That requires the right focus on R&D (science research issues) and manufacturing in the right fields. I'd say pushing the envelope in information technology category, balanced with general manufacturing would give you that.

Corsaria has a negative rating in information technology, not a great employment level, a negative rating in book publishing, and a negative rating in all kinds of manufacturing. Their negative rating of godlessness could also inhibit scientific advancement, but given that some religious nations (who don't use religion to interfere with education or science) have done well, it's not all about that. All those issues on cloning, physics projects, etc. likely have a lot to do with it.

[Kindly Professor Hell]

Thank you, everyone, for your input. After much consideration, I have concluded that the ranking should be changed, and it will be updated soon. (For various reasons, these things take time.) The heavy dependence of the Most Scientifically Advanced ranking on the health of the private sector was a blunder, and has been moderated. Here are approximate changes that can be expected for some of the nations cited in this thread:

Blaist Blaland: -4 -> 300
Ethanthova: -146 -> 225
G-Tech Corporation: 584 -> 389
Zwangzug: -233 -> 388
Aguazul: 440 -> 157
Corsaria: -417 -> 591

The Most Primitive ranking is unaffected by this.

Claims of correlations of Most Advanced with military spending and political oppression are not borne out by the evidence. National religious fervor does affect the ranking to a certain extent; this is intentional, but it has a considerably smaller impact than the major determinants of the ranking.

[G-Tech Corporation]

Well, such is life. And here I thought I did a good job of promoting Science by not funding Education.

[Zwangzug]

FOR SCIENCE!

That is, thanks for your willingness to listen to feedback. And for all your amazing technical work.