Hofstede's Cultural Indices*

Hofstede's Indices are widely used measures which attempt to quantify differences in the values and behaviors of national cultures.  The measures are based on the responses to a common survey instrument by thousands of subjects from 40 different countries.  Each index represents a cluster of related values, and each country receives a single numeric score for each index.   The magnitude of that number on the following scales determines how that country is categorized on the scales.  The low, midpoint, and high numbers for each of the scales are listed below.  The cultural characteristics of a country are assessed relative to these points on each scale.

For example, the scores for Denmark are 18 on the Power Distance Index,  23 on the Uncertainty Avoidance Index,  74 on the Individualism/Collectivism Index and 16 on the Masculinity/Femininity Index.  Comparison of these values to the poles and midpoints of each scale results in the finding that Denmark's national culture is characterized by Low Power Distance, Low Uncertainty Avoidance, Individualism and Femininity.  Follow the link from each of the indices to view charts which list the tendencies of countries in each of these classifications. 

Small Power Distance/Large Power Distance (Small=11,  Midpoint=50,  Large=104)

Weak Uncertainty Avoidance/Strong Uncertainty Avoidance (Weak=8, Midpoint=62, Strong=112)

Collectivist/Individualist  (Collectivist = 6,  Midpoint = 50,  Individualist =91)

Femininity/Masculinity (Femininity=5,  Midpoint=50,  Masculinity=110) 

Calculate your personal scores on these indices.

* Source: Hofstede, Geert and Gert Jan Hofstede, Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind, McGraw Hill, New York, 2005.

Last updated 08 February 2008. ©Fred Miller, 2008
Send comments to Fred Miller