Intro- or Extroverted? How Nations Stack Up

What global personality data reveals about culture, politics, and place.

Author

Philip Saparov
December 03, 2025

In partnership with

Greetings, curious mind of global insight!

Ever felt totally at home in one country—and totally out of sync in another? It may come down to something deeper than culture: personality.

Surprising but true—entire nations lean introverted or extroverted. And thanks to global research, we can now map those tendencies.

This shapes more than small talk. It affects how countries work, vote, date, and even how happy people feel living there.

So—what place matches your energy?

Let’s find out.

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Some countries don’t wait for Friday night to turn up the volume. They live out loud—all day, every day.

🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, and 🇵🇭 Philippines regularly top global personality studies for extraversion. These cultures thrive on human connection: family ties are strong, greetings are warm, and social interaction is woven into every part of life.

In Colombia, even business meetings can feel like catching up with friends. In Nigeria, extroversion isn’t just common—it’s celebrated. Public speaking, community events, and expressive music all play a big role. And in the Philippines, social grace is taught from an early age, with hospitality treated as a national art form.

If you gain energy from people, these places may feel like a perfect match.

🔎 Unexpected detail: Despite their cultural differences, Colombia and Nigeria show strikingly similar extraversion scores in Big Five studies—suggesting shared social priorities, despite being continents apart.

Some countries take a quieter path. Calm over chaos. Space over small talk.

🇯🇵 Japan, 🇫🇮 Finland, and 🇱🇹 Lithuania consistently rank among the most introverted societies. But don’t mistake that for coldness—it’s often the opposite. In these cultures, silence can be respectful. Friendships form slowly but run deep. Public spaces are orderly, with a strong emphasis on privacy and social harmony.

In Japan, there’s even a word—“kuuki yomenai”—for someone who can’t read the room. Emotional control is a virtue. Finland, often called the land of “comfortable silences,” even hosts an introvert festival with signs like “you don't have to talk to anyone.” And Lithuania blends northern reserve with a growing culture of wellness and inward focus.

These are ideal places for people who value quiet beauty, deep thought, and slow-building relationships.

🔍 Fascinating fact: Finland ranks #1 in both happiness and introversion—challenging the myth that only extroverts have more fun.

3. 🇺🇸 The United States: Loud and Quiet, State by State

The U.S. is often seen as the global poster child for extroversion—but it’s not quite that simple.

Yes, the U.S. tends toward outgoing energy overall. But zoom in, and you’ll find a striking split. The South and Midwest lean extroverted: community BBQs, loud sports culture, and strong social bonds. In contrast, New England and the Pacific Northwest tilt more introverted—think forests, farmers markets, and long solo hikes.

This personality divide aligns with broader regional trends: political engagement styles, urban design (front porches vs. fenced yards), even how businesses are run.

🔍 Interesting contrast: Vermont is among the most introverted states, while neighboring New York is one of the most extroverted. The two are only a few hours apart—but worlds away in social tempo.

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Personality doesn’t just shape how people interact—it shapes how nations lead.

Extroverted societies like 🇮🇳 India, 🇧🇷 Brazil, and 🇮🇹 Italy often favor bold, charismatic political leaders. Crowds matter. Emotion plays a visible role. Speeches are long, and rallies draw millions. In these countries, politics often feels like performance.

By contrast, introverted nations such as 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇩🇪 Germany, and 🇸🇪 Sweden tend toward technocratic leadership. Decisions are slower, more deliberate. Political debates emphasize data, not drama. Leadership is more about calm competence than charisma.

Understanding these personality roots can help explain not just who gets elected—but why.

🔍 Insight: Research shows national extraversion levels predict higher voter turnout—but also more volatility in elections, due to greater emotional engagement.

How a country works often mirrors how it socializes.

In extroverted countries like 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇲🇽 Mexico, and 🇿🇦 South Africa, the workplace is dynamic and discussion-driven. Interruptions aren’t rude—they’re a sign of engagement. Group brainstorming and spontaneous chats are central to how things get done.

Meanwhile, introverted cultures—think 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇰🇷 South Korea, or 🇨🇿 Czechia—value structured communication and independent work. Meetings are efficient. “Thinking time” is respected. You won’t find many sales pitches starting with jokes.

Remote workers and digital nomads take note: your productivity may skyrocket (or slump) depending on the personality match between you and your host country.

🔍 Cultural quirk: In Sweden, there's a common phrase—“talk less, say more.” It's a clue to how deeply introverted work cultures respect precision over volume.

What’s it like to make friends—or fall in love—in different parts of the world? It depends on the national vibe.

In extroverted countries like 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇧🇷 Brazil, and 🇮🇹 Italy, relationships move fast. People are warm, expressive, and often physically affectionate. Newcomers are welcomed with open arms (and sometimes, cheek kisses).

Introverted nations such as 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇱🇻 Latvia, and 🇹🇼 Taiwan approach relationships more cautiously. People might not open up quickly—but once they do, bonds are loyal and long-lasting.

Understanding this can save expats and travelers from confusion—and help build more meaningful connections, wherever you are.

🔍 Interesting truth: Studies show that people in introverted cultures report greater emotional depth in fewer friendships—choosing quality over quantity.

Imagine choosing your next city or country not just by weather or cost—but by how the people around you think, speak, and relate.

With global personality data becoming more accessible, people are beginning to do exactly that. Whether you're an introvert craving calm in 🇫🇮 Finland, or an extrovert chasing energy in 🇨🇴 Colombia, aligning with a place's social style could make daily life more joyful—and more sustainable.

Expect to see personality-matching tools become part of the expat toolkit, especially for remote workers and retirees.

🔍 Future trend: “Personality-fit relocation” may soon join climate and tax calculators as key decision tools for where to live and work.

This chart shows countries where expats report the highest lifestyle satisfaction — often because the local social norms align with their own temperament, whether introverted or extroverted.

What if “culture” is really just personality at scale?

When a country matches your natural tempo—fast or slow, loud or quiet—life clicks. Work flows. Relationships deepen. Even small talk feels easy.

So whether you're relocating, investing, or just curious, understanding national temperament can help you choose where you'll thrive.

Thanks for exploring the world’s inner landscape with us. The more we align with it—the better life gets.

Warm regards,

Shane Fulmer
Founder, WorldPopulationReview.com

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