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The Economist Democracy Index

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For overview of democracy indices, see Democracy indices.

The Democracy Index published by the Economist Group is an index measuring the quality of democracy across the world. This quantitative and comparative assessment is centrally concerned with democratic rights and democratic institutions. The methodology for assessing democracy used in this democracy index is according to Economist Intelligence Unit which is part of the Economist Group, a UK-based private company, which publishes the weekly newspaper The Economist. The index is based on 60 indicators grouped into five categories, measuring pluralism, civil liberties, and political culture. In addition to a numeric score and a ranking, the index categorizes each country into one of four regime types: full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes, and authoritarian regimes. The first Democracy Index report was published in 2006. Reports were published every two years until 2010 and annually thereafter. The index includes 167 countries and territories, of which 166 are sovereign states and 164 are UN member states. Other democracy indices with similar assessments of the state of democracy[1] include V-Dem Democracy indices or Bertelsmann Transformation Index.

The 2023 Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index map

Methodology

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As described in the report,[2] the Democracy Index produces a weighted average based on the answers to 60 questions, each one with either two or three permitted answers. Most answers are experts' assessments. Some answers are provided by public-opinion surveys from the respective countries. In the case of countries for which survey results are missing, survey results for similar countries and expert assessments are used in order to fill in gaps.

The questions are grouped into five categories:

Each answer is converted to a score, either 0 or 1, or for the three-answer questions, 0, 0.5 or 1. With the exceptions mentioned below, within each category, the scores are added, multiplied by ten, and divided by the total number of questions within the category. There are a few modifying dependencies, which are explained much more precisely than the main rule procedures. In a few cases, an answer yielding zero for one question voids another question; e.g., if the elections for the national legislature and head of government are not considered free (question 1), then the next question, "Are elections... fair?", is not considered, but automatically scored zero. Likewise, there are a few questions considered so important that a low score on them yields a penalty on the total score sum for their respective categories, namely:

  1. "Whether national elections are free and fair";
  2. "The security of voters";
  3. "The influence of foreign powers on government";
  4. "The capability of the civil servants to implement policies".

The five category indices, which are listed in the report, are then averaged to find the overall score for a given country. Finally, the score, rounded to two decimals, decides the regime-type classification of the country.

The report discusses other indices of democracy, as defined, e.g., by Freedom House, and argues for some of the choices made by the team from the Economist Intelligence Unit. In this comparison, a higher emphasis is placed on the public opinion and attitudes, as measured by surveys, but on the other hand, economic living-standards are not weighted as one criterion of democracy (as seemingly some other investigators have done).[3][4]

The report is widely cited in the international press as well as in peer-reviewed academic journals.[5]

Definitions

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  • Full democracies are countries where civil liberties and fundamental political freedoms are not only respected but also reinforced by a political culture conducive to the thriving of democratic principles. These nations have a valid system of governmental checks and balances, an independent judiciary whose decisions are enforced, governments that function adequately, and diverse and independent media. These nations have only limited problems in democratic functioning.[6]
  • Flawed democracies are countries where elections are fair and free and basic civil liberties are honoured but may have issues (e.g. media freedom infringement and minor suppression of political opposition and critics). These countries can have significant faults in other democratic aspects, including underdeveloped political culture, low levels of participation in politics, and issues in the functioning of governance.[6]
  • Hybrid regimes are countries with regular electoral frauds, preventing them from being fair and free democracies. These countries commonly have governments that apply pressure on political opposition, non-independent judiciaries, widespread corruption, harassment and pressure placed on the media, anaemic rule of law, and more pronounced faults than flawed democracies in the realms of underdeveloped political culture, low levels of participation in politics, and issues in the functioning of governance.[6]
  • Authoritarian regimes are countries where political pluralism is nonexistent or severely limited. These nations are often absolute monarchies or dictatorships, may have some conventional institutions of democracy but with meagre significance, infringements and abuses of civil liberties are commonplace, elections (if they take place) are not fair or free (including sham elections), the media is often state-owned or controlled by groups associated with the ruling regime, the judiciary is not independent, and censorship and suppression of governmental criticism are commonplace.[6]

By regime type

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The following table indicates the number of nations and the percentage of world population for each type of regime. Some microstates are not considered in the calculation.

Year 2023[7]
Type of regime Score Countries Proportion of
world population (%)
Number (%)w
Full democracies[a]
  9.00–10.00
  8.00–8.99
 24 14.4% 7.8%
Flawed democracies[b]
  7.00–7.99
  6.00–6.99
 50 29.9% 37.6%
Hybrid regimes[c]
  5.00–5.99
  4.00–4.99
 34 20.4% 15.2%
Authoritarian regimes[d]
  3.00–3.99
  2.00–2.99
  1.00–1.99
  0.00–0.99
 59 35.3% 39.4%

List by region

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The following table lists the average of each country scored by geographic region, as defined by the Economist Democracy Index.

Region Coun­tries 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2008 2006
Western Europe 21 8.37 8.36 8.23 8.29 8.35 8.35 8.38 8.40 8.42 8.41 8.41 8.44 8.40 8.45 8.61 8.60
North America 2 8.27 8.37 8.36 8.58 8.59 8.56 8.56 8.56 8.56 8.59 8.59 8.59 8.59 8.63 8.64 8.64
Latin America and the Caribbean 24 5.68 5.79 5.83 6.09 6.13 6.24 6.26 6.33 6.37 6.36 6.38 6.36 6.35 6.37 6.43 6.37
Central and Eastern Europe 28 5.37 5.39 5.36 5.36 5.42 5.42 5.40 5.43 5.55 5.58 5.53 5.51 5.50 5.55 5.67 5.76
Asia and Australasia 28 5.21 5.46 5.62 5.67 5.67 5.67 5.63 5.74 5.74 5.70 5.61 5.56 5.51 5.53 5.58 5.44
Sub-Saharan Africa 44 4.04 4.14 4.12 4.16 4.26 4.36 4.35 4.37 4.38 4.34 4.36 4.33 4.32 4.23 4.28 4.24
Middle East and North Africa 20 3.23 3.34 3.41 3.44 3.53 3.54 3.54 3.56 3.58 3.65 3.68 3.73 3.62 3.52 3.48 3.54
World 167 5.23 5.29 5.28 5.37 5.44 5.48 5.48 5.52 5.55 5.55 5.53 5.52 5.49 5.46 5.55 5.52

The following table lists the number of countries in each of the four democracy classifications.

Year 2023
Rank Region Countries Authoritarian Hybrid regime Flawed democracy Full democracy Average score
1 Western Europe 21 0 1 5 15 8.37
2 North America 2 0 0 1 1 8.27
3 Latin America and the Caribbean 24 4 7 11 2 5.68
4 Asia and Australasia 28 8 5 10 5 5.41
5 Central and Eastern Europe 28 8 4 16 0 5.37
6 Sub-Saharan Africa 44 22 15 6 1 4.04
7 Middle East and North Africa 20 17 2 1 0 3.23
World 167 59 34 50 25 5.23

List by country

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The following table shows each nation's score over the years. The regions are assigned by the Economist Intelligence Unit, and may differ from conventional classifications (for example, Turkey is grouped in Western Europe).

Region 2023 rank Country Regime type 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2008 2006
North America 13   Canada Full democracy 8.69 8.88 8.87 9.24 9.22 9.15 9.15 9.15 9.08 9.08 9.08 9.08 9.08 9.08 9.07 9.07
29   United States Flawed democracy 7.85 7.85 7.85 7.92 7.96 7.96 7.98 7.98 8.05 8.11 8.11 8.11 8.11 8.18 8.22 8.22
Western Europe 19   Austria Full democracy 8.28 8.20 8.07 8.16 8.29 8.29 8.42 8.41 8.54 8.54 8.48 8.62 8.49 8.49 8.49 8.69
36   Belgium Flawed democracy 7.64 7.64 7.51 7.51 7.64 7.78 7.78 7.77 7.93 7.93 8.05 8.05 8.05 8.05 8.16 8.15
37   Cyprus Flawed democracy 7.38 7.38 7.43 7.56 7.59 7.59 7.59 7.65 7.53 7.40 7.29 7.29 7.29 7.29 7.70 7.60
6   Denmark Full democracy 9.28 9.28 9.09 9.15 9.22 9.22 9.22 9.20 9.11 9.11 9.38 9.52 9.52 9.52 9.52 9.52
5   Finland Full democracy 9.30 9.29 9.27 9.20 9.25 9.14 9.03 9.03 9.03 9.03 9.03 9.06 9.06 9.19 9.25 9.25
23   France Full democracy 8.07 8.07 7.99 7.99 8.12 7.80 7.80 7.92 7.92 8.04 7.92 7.88 7.77 7.77 8.07 8.07
12   Germany Full democracy 8.80 8.80 8.67 8.67 8.68 8.68 8.61 8.63 8.64 8.64 8.31 8.34 8.34 8.38 8.82 8.82
21   Greece Full democracy 8.14 7.97 7.56 7.39 7.43 7.29 7.29 7.23 7.45 7.45 7.65 7.65 7.65 7.92 8.13 8.13
3   Iceland Full democracy 9.45 9.52 9.18 9.37 9.58 9.58 9.58 9.50 9.58 9.58 9.65 9.65 9.65 9.65 9.65 9.71
7   Ireland Full democracy 9.19 9.13 9.00 9.05 9.24 9.15 9.15 9.15 8.85 8.72 8.68 8.56 8.56 8.79 9.01 9.01
34   Italy Flawed democracy 7.69 7.69 7.68 7.74 7.52 7.71 7.98 7.98 7.98 7.85 7.85 7.74 7.74 7.83 7.98 7.73
11   Luxembourg Full democracy 8.81 8.81 8.68 8.68 8.81 8.81 8.81 8.81 8.88 8.88 8.88 8.88 8.88 8.88 9.10 9.10
28   Malta Flawed democracy 7.93 7.70 7.57 7.68 7.95 8.21 8.15 8.39 8.39 8.39 8.28 8.28 8.28 8.28 8.39 8.39
9   Netherlands Full democracy 9.00 9.00 8.88 8.96 9.01 8.89 8.89 8.80 8.92 8.92 8.84 8.99 8.99 8.99 9.53 9.66
1   Norway Full democracy 9.81 9.81 9.75 9.81 9.87 9.87 9.87 9.93 9.93 9.93 9.93 9.93 9.80 9.80 9.68 9.55
31   Portugal Flawed democracy 7.75 7.95 7.82 7.90 8.03 7.84 7.84 7.86 7.79 7.79 7.65 7.92 7.81 8.02 8.05 8.16
23   Spain Full democracy 8.07 8.07 7.94 8.12 8.29 8.08 8.08 8.30 8.30 8.05 8.02 8.02 8.02 8.16 8.45 8.34
4   Sweden Full democracy 9.39 9.39 9.26 9.26 9.39 9.39 9.39 9.39 9.45 9.73 9.73 9.73 9.50 9.50 9.88 9.88
8   Switzerland Full democracy 9.14 9.14 8.90 8.83 9.03 9.03 9.03 9.09 9.09 9.09 9.09 9.09 9.09 9.09 9.15 9.02
102   Turkey Hybrid regime 4.33 4.35 4.35 4.48 4.09 4.37 4.88 5.04 5.12 5.12 5.63 5.76 5.73 5.73 5.69 5.70
18   United Kingdom Full democracy 8.28 8.28 8.10 8.54 8.52 8.53 8.53 8.36 8.31 8.31 8.31 8.21 8.16 8.16 8.15 8.08
Central and Eastern Europe 66   Albania Flawed democracy 6.28 6.41 6.11 6.08 5.89 5.98 5.98 5.91 5.91 5.67 5.67 5.67 5.81 5.86 5.91 5.91
84   Armenia Hybrid regime 5.42 5.63 5.49 5.35 5.54 4.79 4.11 3.88 4.00 4.13 4.02 4.09 4.09 4.09 4.09 4.15
130   Azerbaijan Authoritarian 2.80 2.87 2.68 2.68 2.75 2.65 2.65 2.65 2.71 2.83 3.06 3.15 3.15 3.15 3.19 3.31
151   Belarus Authoritarian 1.99 1.99 2.41 2.59 2.48 3.13 3.13 3.54 3.62 3.69 3.04 3.04 3.16 3.34 3.34 3.34
94   Bosnia and Herzegovina Hybrid regime 5.00 5.00 5.04 4.84 4.86 4.98 4.87 4.87 4.83 4.78 5.02 5.11 5.24 5.32 5.70 5.78
62   Bulgaria Flawed democracy 6.41 6.53 6.64 6.71 7.03 7.03 7.03 7.01 7.14 6.73 6.83 6.72 6.78 6.84 7.02 7.10
58   Croatia Flawed democracy 6.50 6.50 6.50 6.50 6.57 6.57 6.63 6.75 6.93 6.93 6.93 6.93 6.73 6.81 7.04 7.04
26   Czech Republic Flawed democracy 7.97 7.97 7.74 7.67 7.69 7.69 7.62 7.82 7.94 7.94 8.06 8.19 8.19 8.19 8.19 8.17
27   Estonia Flawed democracy 7.96 7.96 7.84 7.84 7.90 7.97 7.79 7.85 7.85 7.74 7.61 7.61 7.61 7.68 7.68 7.74
89   Georgia Hybrid regime 5.20 5.20 5.12 5.31 5.42 5.50 5.93 5.93 5.88 5.82 5.95 5.53 4.74 4.59 4.62 4.90
50   Hungary Flawed democracy 6.72 6.64 6.50 6.56 6.63 6.63 6.64 6.72 6.84 6.90 6.96 6.96 7.04 7.21 7.44 7.53
120   Kazakhstan Authoritarian 3.08 3.08 3.08 3.14 2.94 2.94 3.06 3.06 3.06 3.17 3.06 2.95 3.24 3.30 3.45 3.62
109   Kyrgyzstan Authoritarian 3.70 3.62 3.62 4.21 4.89 5.11 5.11 4.93 5.33 5.24 4.69 4.69 4.34 4.31 4.05 4.08
38   Latvia Flawed democracy 7.38 7.37 7.31 7.24 7.49 7.38 7.25 7.31 7.37 7.48 7.05 7.05 7.05 7.05 7.23 7.37
39   Lithuania Flawed democracy 7.31 7.31 7.18 7.13 7.50 7.50 7.41 7.47 7.54 7.54 7.54 7.24 7.24 7.24 7.36 7.43
68   Moldova Flawed democracy 6.23 6.23 6.10 5.78 5.75 5.85 5.94 6.01 6.35 6.32 6.32 6.32 6.32 6.33 6.50 6.50
52   Montenegro Flawed democracy 6.67 6.45 6.02 5.77 5.65 5.74 5.69 5.72 6.01 5.94 5.94 6.05 6.15 6.27 6.43 6.57
73   North Macedonia Flawed democracy 6.03 6.10 6.03 5.89 5.97 5.87 5.57 5.23 6.02 6.25 6.16 6.16 6.16 6.16 6.21 6.33
42   Poland Flawed democracy 7.18 7.04 6.80 6.85 6.62 6.67 6.67 6.83 7.09 7.47 7.12 7.12 7.12 7.05 7.30 7.30
60   Romania Flawed democracy 6.45 6.45 6.43 6.40 6.49 6.38 6.44 6.62 6.68 6.68 6.54 6.54 6.54 6.60 7.06 7.06
144   Russia Authoritarian 2.22 2.28 3.24 3.31 3.11 2.94 3.17 3.24 3.31 3.39 3.59 3.74 3.92 4.26 4.48 5.02
64   Serbia Flawed democracy 6.33 6.33 6.36 6.22 6.41 6.41 6.41 6.57 6.71 6.71 6.67 6.33 6.33 6.33 6.49 6.62
44   Slovakia Flawed democracy 7.07 7.07 7.03 6.97 7.17 7.10 7.16 7.29 7.29 7.35 7.35 7.35 7.35 7.35 7.33 7.40
32   Slovenia Flawed democracy 7.75 7.75 7.54 7.54 7.50 7.50 7.50 7.51 7.57 7.57 7.88 7.88 7.76 7.69 7.96 7.96
155   Tajikistan Authoritarian 1.94 1.94 1.94 1.94 1.93 1.93 1.93 1.89 1.95 2.37 2.51 2.51 2.51 2.51 2.45 2.45
162   Turkmenistan Authoritarian 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.72 1.72 1.72 1.72 1.83 1.83 1.83 1.72 1.72 1.72 1.72 1.72 1.83
91   Ukraine Hybrid regime 5.06 5.42 5.57 5.81 5.90 5.69 5.69 5.70 5.70 5.42 5.84 5.91 5.94 6.30 6.94 6.94
149   Uzbekistan Authoritarian 2.12 2.12 2.12 2.12 2.01 2.01 1.95 1.95 1.95 2.45 1.72 1.72 1.74 1.74 1.74 1.85
Latin America and the Caribbean 54   Argentina Flawed democracy 6.62 6.85 6.81 6.95 7.02 7.02 6.96 6.96 7.02 6.84 6.84 6.84 6.84 6.84 6.63 6.63
106   Bolivia Hybrid regime 4.20 4.51 4.65 5.08 4.84 5.70 5.49 5.63 5.75 5.79 5.79 5.84 5.84 5.92 6.15 5.98
51   Brazil Flawed democracy 6.68 6.78 6.86 6.92 6.86 6.97 6.86 6.90 6.96 7.38 7.12 7.12 7.12 7.12 7.38 7.38
25   Chile Flawed democracy 7.98 8.22 7.92 8.28 8.08 7.97 7.84 7.78 7.84 7.80 7.80 7.54 7.54 7.67 7.89 7.89
55   Colombia Flawed democracy 6.55 6.72 6.48 7.04 7.13 6.96 6.67 6.67 6.62 6.55 6.55 6.63 6.63 6.55 6.54 6.40
17   Costa Rica Full democracy 8.29 8.29 8.07 8.16 8.13 8.07 7.88 7.88 7.96 8.03 8.03 8.10 8.10 8.04 8.04 8.04
135   Cuba Authoritarian 2.65 2.65 2.59 2.84 2.84 3.00 3.31 3.46 3.52 3.52 3.52 3.52 3.52 3.52 3.52 3.52
61   Dominican Republic Flawed democracy 6.44 6.39 6.45 6.32 6.54 6.54 6.66 6.67 6.67 6.67 6.74 6.49 6.20 6.20 6.20 6.13
85   Ecuador Hybrid regime 5.41 5.69 5.71 6.13 6.33 6.27 6.02 5.81 5.87 5.87 5.87 5.78 5.72 5.77 5.64 5.64
96   El Salvador Hybrid regime 4.71 5.06 5.72 5.90 6.15 5.96 6.43 6.64 6.64 6.53 6.53 6.47 6.47 6.47 6.40 6.22
100   Guatemala Hybrid regime 4.47 4.68 4.62 4.97 5.26 5.60 5.86 5.92 5.92 5.81 5.81 5.88 5.88 6.05 6.07 6.07
67   Guyana Flawed democracy 6.26 6.34 6.25 6.01 6.15 6.67 6.46 6.25 6.05 5.91 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.12 6.15
129   Haiti Authoritarian 2.81 2.81 3.48 4.22 4.57 4.91 4.03 4.02 3.94 3.82 3.94 3.96 4.00 4.00 4.19 4.19
95   Honduras Hybrid regime 4.98 5.15 5.10 5.36 5.42 5.63 5.72 5.92 5.84 5.84 5.84 5.84 5.84 5.76 6.18 6.25
45   Jamaica Flawed democracy 7.06 7.13 7.13 7.13 6.96 7.02 7.29 7.39 7.39 7.39 7.39 7.39 7.13 7.21 7.21 7.34
90   Mexico Hybrid regime 5.14 5.25 5.57 6.07 6.09 6.19 6.41 6.47 6.55 6.68 6.91 6.90 6.93 6.93 6.78 6.67
143   Nicaragua Authoritarian 2.26 2.50 2.69 3.60 3.55 3.63 4.66 4.81 5.26 5.32 5.46 5.56 5.56 5.73 6.07 5.68
48   Panama Flawed democracy 6.91 6.91 6.85 7.18 7.05 7.05 7.08 7.13 7.19 7.08 7.08 7.08 7.08 7.15 7.35 7.35
74   Paraguay Flawed democracy 6.00 5.89 5.86 6.18 6.24 6.24 6.31 6.27 6.33 6.26 6.26 6.26 6.40 6.40 6.40 6.16
77   Peru Hybrid regime 5.81 5.92 6.09 6.53 6.60 6.60 6.49 6.65 6.58 6.54 6.54 6.47 6.59 6.40 6.31 6.11
49   Suriname Flawed democracy 6.88 6.95 6.82 6.82 6.98 6.98 6.76 6.77 6.77 6.77 6.77 6.65 6.65 6.65 6.58 6.52
43   Trinidad and Tobago Flawed democracy 7.16 7.16 7.16 7.16 7.16 7.16 7.04 7.10 7.10 6.99 6.99 6.99 7.16 7.16 7.21 7.18
15   Uruguay Full democracy 8.66 8.91 8.85 8.61 8.38 8.38 8.12 8.17 8.17 8.17 8.17 8.17 8.17 8.10 8.08 7.96
142   Venezuela Authoritarian 2.31 2.23 2.11 2.76 2.88 3.16 3.87 4.68 5.00 5.07 5.07 5.15 5.08 5.18 5.34 5.42
Asia and Australasia 167   Afghanistan Authoritarian 0.26 0.32 0.32 2.85 2.85 2.97 2.55 2.55 2.77 2.77 2.48 2.48 2.48 2.48 3.02 3.06
14   Australia Full democracy 8.66 8.71 8.90 8.96 9.09 9.09 9.09 9.01 9.01 9.01 9.13 9.22 9.22 9.22 9.09 9.09
75   Bangladesh Hybrid regime 5.87 5.99 5.99 5.99 5.88 5.57 5.43 5.73 5.73 5.78 5.86 5.86 5.86 5.87 5.52 6.11
81   Bhutan Hybrid regime 5.54 5.54 5.71 5.71 5.30 5.30 5.08 4.93 4.93 4.87 4.82 4.65 4.57 4.68 4.30 2.62
121   Cambodia Authoritarian 3.05 3.18 2.90 3.10 3.53 3.59 3.63 4.27 4.27 4.78 4.60 4.96 4.87 4.87 4.87 4.77
148   China Authoritarian 2.12 1.94 2.21 2.27 2.26 3.32 3.10 3.18 3.14 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.14 3.14 3.04 2.97
80   Fiji Hybrid regime 5.55 5.55 5.61 5.72 5.85 5.85 5.85 5.64 5.69 5.61 3.61 3.67 3.67 3.62 5.11 5.66
88   Hong Kong Hybrid regime 5.24 5.28 5.60 5.57 6.02 6.15 6.31 6.42 6.50 6.46 6.42 6.42 5.92 5.92 5.85 6.03
41   India Flawed democracy 7.18 7.04 6.91 6.61 6.90 7.23 7.23 7.81 7.74 7.92 7.69 7.52 7.30 7.28 7.80 7.68
56   Indonesia Flawed democracy 6.53 6.71 6.71 6.30 6.48 6.39 6.39 6.97 7.03 6.95 6.82 6.76 6.53 6.53 6.34 6.41
16   Japan Full democracy 8.40 8.33 8.15 8.13 7.99 7.99 7.88 7.99 7.96 8.08 8.08 8.08 8.08 8.08 8.25 8.15
159   Laos Authoritarian 1.71 1.77 1.77 1.77 2.14 2.37 2.37 2.37 2.21 2.21 2.21 2.32 2.10 2.10 2.10 2.10
40   Malaysia Flawed democracy 7.29 7.30 7.24 7.19 7.16 6.88 6.54 6.54 6.43 6.49 6.49 6.41 6.19 6.19 6.36 5.98
59   Mongolia Flawed democracy 6.48 6.35 6.42 6.48 6.50 6.50 6.50 6.62 6.62 6.62 6.51 6.35 6.23 6.36 6.60 6.60
166   Myanmar Authoritarian 0.85 0.74 1.02 3.04 3.55 3.83 3.83 4.20 4.14 3.05 2.76 2.35 1.77 1.77 1.77 1.77
98   Nepal Hybrid regime 4.60 4.49 4.41 5.22 5.28 5.18 5.18 4.86 4.77 4.77 4.77 4.16 4.24 4.24 4.05 3.42
2   New Zealand Full democracy 9.61 9.61 9.37 9.25 9.26 9.26 9.26 9.26 9.26 9.26 9.26 9.26 9.26 9.26 9.19 9.01
165   North Korea Authoritarian 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 0.86 1.03
118   Pakistan Authoritarian 3.25 4.13 4.31 4.31 4.25 4.17 4.26 4.33 4.40 4.64 4.64 4.57 4.55 4.55 4.46 3.92
72   Papua New Guinea Flawed democracy 6.03 5.97 6.10 6.10 6.03 6.03 6.03 6.03 6.03 6.03 6.36 6.32 6.32 6.54 6.54 6.54
53   Philippines Flawed democracy 6.66 6.73 6.62 6.56 6.64 6.71 6.71 6.94 6.84 6.77 6.41 6.30 6.12 6.12 6.12 6.48
69   Singapore Flawed democracy 6.18 6.22 6.23 6.03 6.02 6.38 6.32 6.38 6.14 6.03 5.92 5.88 5.89 5.89 5.89 5.89
22   South Korea Full democracy 8.09 8.03 8.16 8.01 8.00 8.00 8.00 7.92 7.97 8.06 8.06 8.13 8.06 8.11 8.01 7.88
70   Sri Lanka Flawed democracy 6.17 6.47 6.14 6.14 6.27 6.19 6.48 6.48 6.42 5.69 5.69 5.75 6.58 6.64 6.61 6.58
10   Taiwan Full democracy 8.92 8.99 8.99 8.94 7.73 7.73 7.73 7.79 7.83 7.65 7.57 7.57 7.46 7.52 7.82 7.82
63   Thailand Flawed democracy 6.35 6.67 6.04 6.04 6.32 4.63 4.63 4.92 5.09 5.39 6.25 6.55 6.55 6.55 6.81 5.67
46   East Timor Flawed democracy 7.06 7.06 7.06 7.06 7.19 7.19 7.19 7.24 7.24 7.24 7.24 7.16 7.22 7.22 7.22 6.41
136   Vietnam Authoritarian 2.62 2.73 2.94 2.94 3.08 3.08 3.08 3.38 3.53 3.41 3.29 2.89 2.96 2.94 2.53 2.75
Middle East and North Africa 110   Algeria Authoritarian 3.66 3.66 3.77 3.77 4.01 3.50 3.56 3.56 3.95 3.83 3.83 3.83 3.44 3.44 3.32 3.17
139   Bahrain Authoritarian 2.52 2.52 2.52 2.49 2.55 2.71 2.71 2.79 2.79 2.87 2.87 2.53 2.92 3.49 3.38 3.53
127   Egypt Authoritarian 2.93 2.93 2.93 2.93 3.06 3.36 3.36 3.31 3.18 3.16 3.27 4.56 3.95 3.07 3.89 3.90
153   Iran Authoritarian 1.96 1.96 1.95 2.20 2.38 2.45 2.45 2.34 2.16 1.98 1.98 1.98 1.98 1.94 2.83 2.93
128   Iraq Authoritarian 2.88 3.13 3.51 3.62 3.74 4.06 4.09 4.08 4.08 4.23 4.10 4.10 4.03 4.00 4.00 4.01
30   Israel Flawed democracy 7.80 7.93 7.97 7.84 7.86 7.79 7.79 7.85 7.77 7.63 7.53 7.53 7.53 7.48 7.48 7.28
122   Jordan Authoritarian 3.04 3.17 3.49 3.62 3.93 3.93 3.87 3.96 3.86 3.76 3.76 3.76 3.89 3.74 3.93 3.92
114   Kuwait Authoritarian 3.50 3.83 3.91 3.80 3.93 3.85 3.85 3.85 3.85 3.78 3.78 3.78 3.74 3.88 3.39 3.09
112   Lebanon Authoritarian 3.56 3.64 3.84 4.16 4.36 4.63 4.72 4.86 4.86 5.12 5.05 5.05 5.32 5.82 5.62 5.82
157   Libya Authoritarian 1.78 2.06 1.95 1.95 2.02 2.19 2.32 2.25 2.25 3.80 4.82 5.15 3.55 1.94 2.00 1.84
93   Morocco Hybrid regime 5.04 5.04 5.04 5.04 5.10 4.99 4.87 4.77 4.66 4.00 4.07 4.07 3.83 3.79 3.88 3.90
119   Oman Authoritarian 3.12 3.12 3.00 3.00 3.06 3.04 3.04 3.04 3.04 3.15 3.26 3.26 3.26 2.86 2.98 2.77
115   Palestine Authoritarian 3.47 3.86 3.94 3.83 3.89 4.39 4.46 4.49 4.57 4.72 4.80 4.80 4.97 5.44 5.83 6.01
111   Qatar Authoritarian 3.65 3.65 3.65 3.24 3.19 3.19 3.19 3.18 3.18 3.18 3.18 3.18 3.18 3.09 2.92 2.78
150   Saudi Arabia Authoritarian 2.08 2.08 2.08 2.08 1.93 1.93 1.93 1.93 1.93 1.82 1.82 1.71 1.77 1.84 1.90 1.92
158   Sudan Authoritarian 1.76 2.47 2.47 2.54 2.70 2.15 2.15 2.37 2.37 2.54 2.54 2.38 2.38 2.42 2.81 2.90
163   Syria Authoritarian 1.43 1.43 1.43 1.43 1.43 1.43 1.43 1.43 1.43 1.74 1.86 1.63 1.99 2.31 2.18 2.36
82   Tunisia Hybrid regime 5.51 5.51 5.99 6.59 6.72 6.41 6.32 6.40 6.72 6.31 5.76 5.67 5.53 2.79 2.96 3.06
125   United Arab Emirates Authoritarian 3.01 2.90 2.90 2.70 2.76 2.76 2.69 2.75 2.75 2.64 2.52 2.58 2.58 2.52 2.60 2.42
154   Yemen Authoritarian 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95 2.07 2.07 2.24 2.79 2.79 3.12 2.57 2.64 2.95 2.98
Sub-Saharan Africa 107   Angola Hybrid regime 4.18 3.96 3.37 3.66 3.72 3.62 3.62 3.40 3.35 3.35 3.35 3.35 3.32 3.32 3.35 2.41
97   Benin Hybrid regime 4.68 4.28 4.19 4.58 5.09 5.74 5.61 5.67 5.72 5.65 5.87 6.00 6.06 6.17 6.06 6.16
33   Botswana Flawed democracy 7.73 7.73 7.73 7.62 7.81 7.81 7.81 7.87 7.87 7.87 7.98 7.85 7.63 7.63 7.47 7.60
133   Burkina Faso Authoritarian 2.73 3.08 3.84 3.73 4.04 4.75 4.75 4.70 4.70 4.09 4.15 3.52 3.59 3.59 3.60 3.72
147   Burundi Authoritarian 2.13 2.13 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.33 2.33 2.40 2.49 3.33 3.41 3.60 4.01 4.01 4.51 4.51
35   Cape Verde Flawed democracy 7.65 7.65 7.65 7.65 7.78 7.88 7.88 7.94 7.81 7.81 7.92 7.92 7.92 7.94 7.81 7.43
138   Cameroon Authoritarian 2.56 2.56 2.56 2.77 2.85 3.28 3.61 3.46 3.66 3.41 3.41 3.44 3.41 3.41 3.46 3.27
164   Central African Republic Authoritarian 1.18 1.35 1.43 1.32 1.32 1.52 1.52 1.61 1.57 1.49 1.49 1.99 1.82 1.82 1.86 1.61
161   Chad Authoritarian 1.67 1.67 1.67 1.55 1.61 1.61 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.62 1.62 1.52 1.52 1.65
123   Comoros Authoritarian 3.04 3.20 3.20 3.09 3.15 3.71 3.71 3.71 3.71 3.52 3.52 3.52 3.52 3.41 3.58 3.90
131   Republic of the Congo Authoritarian 2.79 2.79 2.79 3.11 3.11 3.31 3.25 2.91 2.91 2.89 2.89 2.89 2.89 2.89 2.94 3.19
105   Ivory Coast Hybrid regime 4.22 4.22 4.22 4.11 4.05 4.15 3.93 3.81 3.31 3.53 3.25 3.25 3.08 3.02 3.27 3.38
160   Democratic Republic of the Congo Authoritarian 1.68 1.48 1.40 1.13 1.13 1.49 1.61 1.93 2.11 1.75 1.83 1.92 2.15 2.15 2.28 2.76
134   Djibouti Authoritarian 2.70 2.74 2.74 2.71 2.77 2.87 2.76 2.83 2.90 2.99 2.96 2.74 2.68 2.20 2.37 2.37
156   Equatorial Guinea Authoritarian 1.92 1.92 1.92 1.92 1.92 1.92 1.81 1.70 1.77 1.66 1.77 1.83 1.77 1.84 2.19 2.09
152   Eritrea Authoritarian 1.97 2.03 2.03 2.15 2.37 2.37 2.37 2.37 2.37 2.44 2.40 2.40 2.34 2.31 2.31 2.31
132   Eswatini Authoritarian 2.78 3.01 3.08 3.08 3.14 3.03 3.03 3.03 3.09 3.09 3.20 3.20 3.26 2.90 3.04 2.93
116   Ethiopia Authoritarian 3.37 3.17 3.30 3.38 3.44 3.35 3.42 3.60 3.83 3.72 3.83 3.72 3.79 3.68 4.52 4.72
146   Gabon Authoritarian 2.18 3.40 3.40 3.54 3.61 3.61 3.61 3.74 3.76 3.76 3.76 3.56 3.48 3.29 3.00 2.72
101   Gambia Hybrid regime 4.47 4.47 4.41 4.49 4.33 4.31 4.06 2.91 2.97 3.05 3.31 3.31 3.38 3.38 4.19 4.39
65   Ghana Flawed democracy 6.30 6.43 6.50 6.50 6.63 6.63 6.69 6.75 6.86 6.33 6.33 6.02 6.02 6.02 5.35 5.35
145   Guinea Authoritarian 2.21 2.32 2.28 3.08 3.14 3.14 3.14 3.14 3.14 3.01 2.84 2.79 2.79 2.79 2.09 2.02
140   Guinea-Bissau Authoritarian 2.45 2.56 2.75 2.63 2.63 1.98 1.98 1.98 1.93 1.93 1.26 1.43 1.99 1.99 1.99 2.00
92   Kenya Hybrid regime 5.05 5.05 5.05 5.05 5.18 5.11 5.11 5.33 5.33 5.13 5.13 4.71 4.71 4.71 4.79 5.08
71   Lesotho Flawed democracy 6.06 6.19 6.30 6.30 6.54 6.64 6.64 6.59 6.59 6.66 6.66 6.66 6.33 6.02 6.29 6.48
79   Liberia Hybrid regime 5.57 5.43 5.43 5.32 5.45 5.35 5.23 5.31 4.95 4.95 4.95 4.95 5.07 5.07 5.25 5.22
87   Madagascar Hybrid regime 5.26 5.70 5.70 5.70 5.64 5.22 5.11 5.07 4.85 4.42 4.32 3.93 3.93 3.94 5.57 5.82
76   Malawi Hybrid regime 5.85 5.91 5.74 5.74 5.50 5.49 5.49 5.55 5.55 5.66 6.00 6.08 5.84 5.84 5.13 4.97
137   Mali Authoritarian 2.58 3.23 3.48 3.93 4.92 5.41 5.64 5.70 5.70 5.79 5.90 5.12 6.36 6.01 5.87 5.99
108   Mauritania Hybrid regime 4.14 4.03 4.03 3.92 3.92 3.82 3.82 3.96 3.96 4.17 4.17 4.17 4.17 3.86 3.91 3.12
20   Mauritius Full democracy 8.14 8.14 8.08 8.14 8.22 8.22 8.22 8.28 8.27 8.17 8.17 8.17 8.04 8.04 8.04 8.04
113   Mozambique Authoritarian 3.51 3.51 3.51 3.51 3.65 3.85 4.02 4.02 4.60 4.66 4.77 4.88 4.90 4.90 5.49 5.28
57   Namibia Flawed democracy 6.52 6.52 6.52 6.52 6.43 6.25 6.31 6.31 6.31 6.24 6.24 6.24 6.24 6.23 6.48 6.54
141   Niger Authoritarian 2.37 3.73 3.22 3.29 3.29 3.76 3.76 3.96 4.62 4.02 4.08 4.16 4.16 3.38 3.41 3.54
104   Nigeria Hybrid regime 4.23 4.23 4.11 4.10 4.12 4.44 4.44 4.50 3.85 3.76 3.77 3.77 3.83 3.47 3.53 3.52
117   Rwanda Authoritarian 3.30 3.10 3.10 3.10 3.16 3.35 3.19 3.07 3.07 3.25 3.38 3.36 3.25 3.25 3.71 3.82
83   Senegal Hybrid regime 5.48 5.72 5.53 5.67 5.81 6.15 6.15 6.21 6.08 6.15 6.15 6.09 5.51 5.27 5.37 5.37
103   Sierra Leone Hybrid regime 4.32 5.03 4.97 4.86 4.86 4.66 4.66 4.55 4.55 4.56 4.64 4.71 4.51 4.51 4.11 3.57
47   South Africa Flawed democracy 7.05 7.05 7.05 7.05 7.24 7.24 7.24 7.41 7.56 7.82 7.90 7.79 7.79 7.79 7.91 7.91
86   Tanzania Hybrid regime 5.35 5.10 5.10 5.10 5.16 5.41 5.47 5.76 5.58 5.77 5.77 5.88 5.64 5.64 5.28 5.18
126   Togo Authoritarian 2.99 2.99 2.80 2.80 3.30 3.10 3.05 3.32 3.41 3.45 3.45 3.45 3.45 3.45 2.43 1.75
99   Uganda Hybrid regime 4.49 4.55 4.48 4.94 5.02 5.20 5.09 5.26 5.22 5.22 5.22 5.16 5.13 5.05 5.03 5.14
78   Zambia Hybrid regime 5.80 5.80 5.72 4.86 5.09 5.61 5.68 5.99 6.28 6.39 6.26 6.26 6.19 5.68 5.25 5.25
124   Zimbabwe Authoritarian 3.04 2.92 2.92 3.16 3.16 3.16 3.16 3.05 3.05 2.78 2.67 2.67 2.68 2.64 2.53 2.62

Components

edit

The following table shows the five parameters that made up the score of each nation in 2023 and the changes that had occurred since 2022.

Year 2023
Rank Δ Rank Country Regime type Overall score Δ Score Elec­toral pro­cess
and plura­lism 		Func­tioning
of govern­ment 		Poli­tical
partici­pation 		Poli­tical
cul­ture 		Civil
liber­ties
Full democracies
1     Norway Full democracy 9.81   10.00 9.64 10.00 10.00 9.41
2     New Zealand Full democracy 9.61   10.00 9.29 10.00 8.75 10.00
3     Iceland Full democracy 9.52   10.00 9.64 8.89 9.38 9.71
4     Sweden Full democracy 9.39   9.58 9.64 8.33 10.00 9.41
5     Finland Full democracy 9.30   0.01 10.00 9.64 7.78 9.38 9.71
6     Denmark Full democracy 9.28   10.00 9.29 8.33 9.38 9.41
7   1   Ireland Full democracy 9.19   0.05 10.00 8.21 8.33 10.00 9.41
8   1   Switzerland Full democracy 9.14   9.58 9.29 8.33 9.38 9.12
9     Netherlands Full democracy 9.00   9.58 8.93 8.33 8.75 9.41
10     Taiwan Full democracy 8.92   0.07 10.00 9.29 7.78 8.13 9.41
11   2   Luxembourg Full democracy 8.81   10.00 8.93 6.67 8.75 9.71
12   2   Germany Full democracy 8.80   9.58 8.57 8.33 8.13 9.41
13   1   Canada Full democracy 8.69   0.19 10.00 8.21 8.89 7.50 8.82
14   3   Uruguay Full democracy 8.66   0.25 10.00 8.93 7.78 6.88 9.71
15   1   Australia Full democracy 8.66   0.05 10.00 8.57 7.22 7.50 10.00
16     Japan Full democracy 8.40   0.25 9.17 8.93 6.67 8.13 9.12
17     Costa Rica Full democracy 8.29   9.58 7.50 7.78 6.88 9.71
18     United Kingdom Full democracy 8.28   9.58 7.50 8.33 6.88 9.12
19   1   Austria Full democracy 8.28   0.08 9.58 7.50 8.89 6.88 8.53
20   5   Greece Full democracy 8.14   0.17 10.00 7.14 7.22 7.50 8.82
21   1   Mauritius Full democracy 8.14   9.17 7.86 6.11 8.75 8.82
22   2   South Korea Full democracy 8.09   0.06 9.58 8.57 7.22 6.25 8.82
23   1   France Full democracy 8.07   9.58 7.86 7.78 6.88 8.24
24   1   Spain Full democracy 8.07   9.58 7.50 7.22 7.50 8.53
Flawed democracies
25   6   Chile Flawed democracy 7.98   0.24 9.58 8.21 6.11 6.88 9.12
26   1   Czech Republic Flawed democracy 7.97   9.58 6.43 7.22 7.50 9.12
27     Estonia Flawed democracy 7.96   9.58 7.86 6.67 6.88 8.82
28   5   Malta Flawed democracy 7.93   0.23 9.17 7.14 6.67 8.13 8.53
29   1   United States Flawed democracy 7.85   9.17 6.43 8.89 6.25 8.53
30   1   Israel Flawed democracy 7.80   0.13 9.58 7.50 9.44 6.88 5.59
31   3   Portugal Flawed democracy 7.75   0.20 9.58 6.79 6.67 6.88 8.82
32     Slovenia Flawed democracy 7.75   9.58 7.14 7.22 6.25 8.53
33   1   Botswana Flawed democracy 7.73   9.17 6.79 6.67 7.50 8.53
34     Italy Flawed democracy 7.69   9.58 6.79 7.22 7.50 7.35
35     Cape Verde Flawed democracy 7.65   9.17 7.00 6.67 6.88 8.53
36     Belgium Flawed democracy 7.64   9.58 8.21 5.00 6.88 8.53
37     Cyprus Flawed democracy 7.38   9.17 5.36 6.67 6.88 8.82
38   1   Latvia Flawed democracy 7.38   0.01 9.58 6.43 6.11 6.25 8.53
39     Lithuania Flawed democracy 7.31   9.58 6.43 6.11 5.63 8.82
40     Malaysia Flawed democracy 7.29   0.01 9.58 7.50 7.22 6.25 5.88
41   5   India Flawed democracy 7.18   0.14 8.67 7.86 7.22 6.25 5.88
42     Poland Flawed democracy 7.18   0.14 9.58 6.07 6.67 6.25 7.35
43   2   Trinidad and Tobago Flawed democracy 7.16   9.58 7.14 6.11 5.63 7.35
44   1   Slovakia Flawed democracy 7.05   7.42 7.14 8.33 5.00 7.35
45   3   Jamaica Flawed democracy 7.06   0.07 8.75 6.79 5.00 6.25 8.53
46   1   Timor-Leste Flawed democracy 7.06   9.58 5.93 5.56 6.88 7.35
47   2   South Africa Flawed democracy 7.05   7.42 7.14 8.33 5.00 7.35
48   1   Panama Flawed democracy 6.91   9.58 6.07 7.22 3.75 7.94
49   1   Suriname Flawed democracy 6.88   0.07 9.58 6.07 6.11 5.00 7.65
50   6   Hungary Flawed democracy 6.72   0.08 8.75 6.79 4.44 6.88 6.76
51     Brazil Flawed democracy 6.68   0.10 9.58 5.36 6.11 5.00 7.35
52   9   Montenegro Flawed democracy 6.67   0.22 8.75 7.14 6.67 3.75 7.06
53   1   Philippines Flawed democracy 6.66   0.07 9.17 4.64 7.78 4.38 7.35
54   4   Argentina Flawed democracy 6.62   0.23 9.17 5.00 7.22 3.75 7.94
55   2   Colombia Flawed democracy 6.55   0.18 9.17 6.07 6.11 3.75 7.65
56   2   Indonesia Flawed democracy 6.53   0.18 7.92 7.86 7.22 4.38 5.29
57   1   Namibia Flawed democracy 6.52   7.00 5.36 6.67 5.63 7.94
58   1   Croatia Flawed democracy 6.50   9.17 6.07 6.11 4.38 6.76
59   7   Mongolia Flawed democracy 6.48   0.13 8.75 5.71 6.11 5.63 6.18
60   1   Romania Flawed democracy 6.45   9.17 6.43 5.56 3.75 7.35
61   4   Dominican Republic Flawed democracy 6.44   0.05 9.17 5.36 7.22 3.13 7.35
62   5   Bulgaria Flawed democracy 6.41   0.08 8.75 5.71 5.56 4.38 7.65
63   8   Thailand Flawed democracy 6.35   0.32 7.00 6.07 7.78 5.00 5.88
64   4   Serbia Flawed democracy 6.33   7.83 6.07 6.67 3.75 7.35
65   2   Ghana Flawed democracy 6.30   0.13 8.33 5.00 6.67 5.63 5.88
66   2   Albania Flawed democracy 6.28   0.13 7.00 6.07 5.00 6.25 7.06
67     Guyana Flawed democracy 6.26   0.08 7.33 6.07 6.11 5.00 6.76
68   1   Moldova Flawed democracy 6.23   7.42 5.36 7.22 4.38 6.76
69   1   Singapore Flawed democracy 6.18   0.04 5.33 7.14 4.44 7.50 6.47
70   10   Sri Lanka Flawed democracy 6.17   0.30 6.58 4.64 7.22 6.25 6.18
71     Lesotho Flawed democracy 6.06   0.13 9.17 3.79 5.56 5.63 6.18
72     North Macedonia Flawed democracy 6.03   0.07 7.83 5.71 6.11 3.13 7.35
73   2   Papua New Guinea Flawed democracy 6.03   0.06 6.92 6.07 3.89 5.63 7.35
74   3   Paraguay Flawed democracy 6.00   0.12 8.75 5.36 6.67 1.88 7.35
Hybrid regimes
75   2   Bangladesh Hybrid regime 5.87   7.42 6.07 5.56 5.63 4.71
76     Malawi Hybrid regime 5.85   0.06 7.00 4.29 5.56 6.25 6.18
77   2   Peru Hybrid regime 5.81   0.09 8.75 5.71 5.00 3.13 6.47
78     Zambia Hybrid regime 5.80   7.92 3.64 5.00 6.88 5.59
79   7   Liberia Hybrid regime 5.57   0.14 7.83 2.71 6.11 5.63 5.59
80   3   Fiji Hybrid regime 5.55   6.58 5.00 5.56 5.63 5.00
81   3   Bhutan Hybrid regime 5.54   8.75 5.93 3.33 5.00 4.71
82   3   Tunisia Hybrid regime 5.51   6.17 4.64 6.11 5.63 5.00
83   4   Senegal Hybrid regime 5.48   0.24 6.58 5.71 3.89 5.63 5.59
84   2   Armenia Hybrid regime 5.42   0.21 7.92 4.64 6.11 3.13 5.29
85   4   Ecuador Hybrid regime 5.41   0.28 8.75 5.00 5.56 1.88 5.88
86   6   Tanzania Hybrid regime 5.35   0.25 4.83 5.36 5.00 6.88 4.71
87   7   Madagascar Hybrid regime 5.26   0.44 6.58 3.57 6.11 5.63 4.41
88     Hong Kong Hybrid regime 5.24   0.04 2.75 3.64 5.00 6.88 7.94
89   1   Georgia Hybrid regime 5.20   7.00 3.57 6.11 3.75 5.59
90   1   Mexico Hybrid regime 5.14   0.09 6.92 4.64 6.67 1.88 5.59
91   4   Ukraine Hybrid regime 5.06   0.36 5.58 3.07 7.22 5.00 4.41
92   2   Kenya Hybrid regime 5.05   3.50 5.36 6.67 5.63 4.12
93   2   Morocco Hybrid regime 5.02   0.02 5.25 4.64 5.56 5.63 4.12
94   3   Bosnia and Herzegovina Hybrid regime 5.00   7.00 4.00 5.00 3.13 5.88
95   4   Honduras Hybrid regime 4.98   0.17 8.75 3.93 4.44 2.50 5.29
96   3   El Salvador Hybrid regime 4.71   0.35 6.67 3.21 5.56 3.13 5.00
97   7   Benin Hybrid regime 4.68   0.40 2.58 5.71 4.44 6.25 4.41
98   3   Nepal Hybrid regime 4.60   0.11 4.83 5.36 5.00 2.50 5.29
99     Uganda Hybrid regime 4.49   0.06 3.42 3.57 3.89 6.88 4.71
100   2   Gambia Hybrid regime 4.47   4.42 4.29 3.89 5.63 4.12
101   2   Guatemala Hybrid regime 4.47   0.21 5.67 3.93 5.00 1.88 5.88
102   1   Turkey Hybrid regime 4.33   0.02 3.50 5.00 6.11 5.00 2.06
103   7   Sierra Leone Hybrid regime 4.32   0.71 4.83 2.86 3.89 5.00 5.00
104   1   Nigeria Hybrid regime 4.23   5.17 3.93 3.89 3.75 4.41
105   1   Ivory Coast Hybrid regime 4.22   4.33 2.86 4.44 5.63 3.82
106   6   Bolivia Hybrid regime 4.20   0.31 4.33 4.29 5.56 1.25 5.59
107   2   Angola Hybrid regime 4.18   0.22 4.50 3.21 5.56 5.00 2.65
108     Mauritania Hybrid regime 4.14   0.11 3.50 3.57 6.11 3.13 4.41
Authoritarian regimes
109   7   Kyrgyzstan Authoritarian regime 3.70   0.08 4.33 1.86 3.89 3.13 5.29
110   3   Algeria Authoritarian regime 3.66   3.08 2.50 3.89 5.00 3.82
111   3   Qatar Authoritarian regime 3.65   1.50 4.29 3.33 5.63 3.53
112   3   Lebanon Authoritarian regime 3.56   0.08 3.08 0.79 6.67 3.13 4.12
113   4   Mozambique Authoritarian regime 3.51   2.58 1.43 5.00 5.00 3.53
114     Kuwait Authoritarian regime 3.50   0.33 3.17 3.93 2.78 4.38 3.24
115   5   Palestine Authoritarian regime 3.47   0.39 1.58 0.14 8.33 3.75 3.53
116   6   Ethiopia Authoritarian regime 3.37   0.20 0.42 3.21 6.11 5.63 1.47
117   9   Rwanda Authoritarian regime 3.30   0.20 1.42 4.64 2.78 5.00 2.65
118   11   Pakistan Authoritarian regime 3.25   0.88 2.58 4.29 2.78 2.50 4.12
119   6   Oman Authoritarian regime 3.12   0.08 3.92 2.78 5.00 3.82
120   7   Kazakhstan Authoritarian regime 3.08   0.50 3.21 5.00 3.75 2.94
121     Cambodia Authoritarian regime 3.05   0.13 0.00 3.21 5.00 5.00 2.06
122   2   Comoros Authoritarian regime 3.04   0.16 1.25 2.21 4.44 3.75 3.53
123     Jordan Authoritarian regime 3.04   0.13 2.67 3.21 3.89 2.50 2.94
124   10   Zimbabwe Authoritarian regime 3.04   0.12 0.00 2.50 4.44 5.00 3.24
125   8   United Arab Emirates Authoritarian regime 3.01   0.09 0.00 4.29 2.78 5.63 2.35
126   4   Togo Authoritarian regime 2.99   0.92 2.14 3.33 5.63 2.94
127   4   Egypt Authoritarian regime 2.93   1.33 3.21 3.33 5.00 1.76
128   4   Iraq Authoritarian regime 2.88   0.25 5.25 0.00 6.11 1.88 1.18
129   6   Haiti Authoritarian regime 2.81   0.00 0.00 2.78 6.25 5.00
130   4   Azerbaijan Authoritarian regime 2.80   0.07 0.50 2.50 3.33 5.00 2.65
131   1   Republic of the Congo Authoritarian regime 2.79   0.00 2.50 4.44 3.75 3.24
132   3   Eswatini Authoritarian regime 2.78   0.23 0.92 1.64 2.78 5.63 2.94
133   6   Burkina Faso Authoritarian regime 2.73   0.35 0.00 2.50 3.89 3.75 3.53
134   3   Djibouti Authoritarian regime 2.70   0.04 0.00 1.64 3.89 5.63 2.35
135   4   Cuba Authoritarian regime 2.65   0.00 3.21 3.33 3.75 2.94
136   2   Vietnam Authoritarian regime 2.62   0.03 0.00 3.93 2.78 3.75 2.65
137   18   Mali Authoritarian regime 2.58   0.65 0.00 0.00 5.00 4.38 3.53
138   2   Cameroon Authoritarian regime 2.56   0.33 2.14 3.89 4.38 2.06
139   3   Bahrain Authoritarian regime 2.52   0.42 2.71 3.33 4.38 1.76
140     Guinea-Bissau Authoritarian regime 2.45   0.11 4.00 0.00 2.78 3.13 2.35
141   29   Niger Authoritarian regime 2.37   1.36 0.33 1.14 2.22 3.75 4.41
142   5   Venezuela Authoritarian regime 2.31   0.08 0.00 1.07 5.00 3.13 2.35
143     Nicaragua Authoritarian regime 2.26   0.24 0.00 2.14 2.78 3.75 2.65
144   2   Russia Authoritarian regime 2.22   0.06 0.92 2.14 2.22 3.75 2.06
145     Guinea Authoritarian regime 2.21   0.11 0.83 0.43 3.33 4.38 2.06
146   28   Gabon Authoritarian regime 2.18   1.22 0.83 1.14 2.22 3.75 2.94
147   1   Burundi Authoritarian regime 2.13   0.00 0.00 3.89 5.00 1.76
148   8   China Authoritarian regime 2.12   0.18 0.00 3.57 3.33 3.13 0.59
149   1   Uzbekistan Authoritarian regime 2.12   0.08 1.86 2.78 5.00 0.88
150     Saudi Arabia Authoritarian regime 2.08   0.00 3.57 2.22 3.13 1.47
151   2   Belarus Authoritarian regime 1.99   0.00 0.79 3.33 4.38 1.47
152     Eritrea Authoritarian regime 1.97   0.06 0.00 2.14 0.56 6.88 0.29
153   1   Iran Authoritarian regime 1.96   0.00 2.50 3.33 2.50 1.47
154   1   Yemen Authoritarian regime 1.95   0.00 0.00 3.89 5.00 0.88
155   1   Tajikistan Authoritarian regime 1.94   0.00 2.21 2.22 4.38 0.88
156   2   Equatorial Guinea Authoritarian regime 1.92   0.00 0.43 3.33 4.38 1.47
157   6   Libya Authoritarian regime 1.78   0.28 0.00 0.00 2.78 3.75 2.35
158   14   Sudan Authoritarian regime 1.76   0.71 0.00 0.07 2.22 5.63 0.88
159     Laos Authoritarian regime 1.71   0.06 0.00 2.86 1.67 3.75 0.29
160   2   Democratic Republic of the Congo Authoritarian regime 1.68   0.20 1.17 0.43 2.78 3.13 0.88
161   1   Chad Authoritarian regime 1.67   0.00 0.00 2.22 3.75 2.35
162   1   Turkmenistan Authoritarian regime 1.66   0.00 0.79 2.22 5.00 0.29
163     Syria Authoritarian regime 1.43   0.00 0.00 2.78 4.38 0.00
164   2   Central African Republic Authoritarian regime 1.18   0.17 0.00 0.00 1.67 1.88 2.35
165     North Korea Authoritarian regime 1.08   0.00 2.50 1.67 1.25 0.00
166     Myanmar Authoritarian regime 0.85   0.11 0.00 0.00 1.11 3.13 0.00
167     Afghanistan Authoritarian regime 0.26   0.06 0.00 0.07 0.00 1.25 0.00

Unincluded countries

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Below is a list of every UN member state that is currently not included in the Democracy Index.[7][8]

Recent changes

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In 2016, the United States was downgraded from a full democracy to a flawed democracy;[9] its score, which had been declining for some years, crossed the threshold from 8.05 in 2015 to 7.98 in 2016. The report stated that this was caused by myriad factors dating back to at least the late 1960s which have eroded Americans' trust in governmental institutions.[10][11] Nigeria was also upgraded from an authoritarian regime to a hybrid regime.

The 2017 Democracy Index registered, at the time, the worst year for global democracy since 2010–11. Asia was the region with the largest decline since 2016. Venezuela was downgraded from a hybrid regime to an authoritarian regime. In China, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), further entrenched his power by writing his contribution to the CCP's ideology, dubbed Xi Jinping Thought, into the party's constitution. Moldova was downgraded from a flawed democracy to a hybrid regime as a result of problematic elections. By contrast, Armenia was re-upgraded from an authoritarian regime to a hybrid regime as a result of constitutional changes that shifted power from the presidency to parliament.[12] In 2017, the Gambia was upgraded again from an authoritarian regime to a hybrid regime after Yahya Jammeh, who was president from 1996 to 2017, was defeated by Adama Barrow, an opposition candidate in the 2016 presidential elections.

In 2019, France, Portugal and Chile were upgraded from flawed democracies to full democracies. In fact, this was not a new experience for the former two, which suffered from the eurozone crisis many years before. By contrast, Malta was downgraded from a full democracy to a flawed democracy. Thailand and Albania were upgraded from hybrid regimes to flawed democracies.[13] Algeria was upgraded again from an authoritarian regime to a hybrid regime.

In 2020, Taiwan was upgraded from flawed democracy to full democracy following reforms in the judiciary,[14] and soared to 11th position from its previous position at 33. Japan and South Korea were also upgraded again to a full democracy, while France and Portugal were once again relegated to flawed democracies. Hong Kong was downgraded from a flawed democracy to a hybrid regime. Algeria was downgraded again from a hybrid regime to an authoritarian regime. The Economist Intelligence Unit noted that democracy "was dealt a major blow in 2020".[15] Almost 70% of countries covered by the Democracy Index recorded a decline in their overall score, as most of them imposed lockdowns and other restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to some arresting journalists and citizens accused of spreading COVID-19 misinformation. The global average score fell to its lowest level since the index began in 2006.

In 2021, both the global and regional average scores continued downward trends, with the exception of the Central and Eastern Europe region. Spain and Chile were downgraded from full democracies to flawed democracies, while Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, and Tunisia were downgraded from flawed democracies to hybrid regimes. Haiti, Lebanon, and Kyrgyzstan were downgraded from hybrid regimes to authoritarian regimes. In addition, Moldova, Montenegro, and North Macedonia were upgraded from hybrid regimes to flawed democracies, whereas Mauritania was upgraded from authoritarian to hybrid regime. For the first time, two countries displaced North Korea as the lowest-ranked states in the Democracy Index – in Myanmar, the elected government was overthrown in a military coup, and protests were suppressed by the junta, which ultimately resulted in its score going down by 2.02 points; Afghanistan, as a result of the 2021 Taliban offensive and subsequent takeover of government, registered the lowest score of any state ever recorded on the Democracy Index at 0.32.

In 2022, the global average score stagnated, with the lifting of COVID-related restrictions being largely canceled out by other negative developments globally.

In 2023, the global average score deteriorated further, with most declines occurring in authoritarian and hybrid regimes, with the former becoming more entrenched and the latter struggling to democratize. The threshold for each color has also been changed from greater than the integer to greater than or equal to.[16]

Criticism

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Investment analyst Peter Tasker has criticised the Democracy Index for lacking transparency and accountability beyond the numbers. To generate the index, the Economist Intelligence Unit has a scoring system in which various experts are asked to answer 60 questions and assign each reply a number, with the weighted average deciding the ranking. However, the final report does not indicate what kinds of experts, nor their number, nor whether the experts are employees of the Economist Intelligence Unit or independent scholars, nor the nationalities of the experts.[17]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ (2006–2021)
      9.01–10.00
      8.01–9.00
  2. ^ (2006–2021)
      7.01–8.00
      6.01–7.00
  3. ^ (2006–2021)
      5.01–6.00
      4.01–5.00
  4. ^ (2006–2021)
      3.01–4.00
      2.01–3.00
      1.01–2.00
      0.00–1.00

References

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  1. ^ Geissel, Brigitte; Kneuer, Marianne; Lauth, Hans-Joachim (2016). "Measuring the quality of democracy: Introduction". International Political Science Review. 37 (5). Sage Publications: 571–579. doi:10.1177/0192512116669141. ISSN 0192-5121. JSTOR 26556872. S2CID 151808737. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  2. ^ "Democracy Index 2012: Democracy at a standstill" (PDF). Economist Intelligence Unit. 14 March 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Democracy Index 2010: Democracy in retreat" (PDF). Economist Intelligence Unit. 6 December 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 December 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  4. ^ "Democracy Index 2006" (PDF). The World in 2007. 15 November 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  5. ^ Manaev, Oleg; Manayeva, Natalie; Dzmitry, Yuran (1 December 2011). "More State than Nation: Lukashenko's Belarus". Journal of International Affairs. 65 (1): 93–113. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d "Democracy Index 2015: Democracy in an age of anxiety" (PDF). The Economist Intelligence Unit. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Democracy Index 2023: Age of conflict" (PDF). Economist Intelligence Unit. 2024. p. 3.
  8. ^ "Member States". UN. United Nations. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  9. ^ Karlis, Nicole (31 January 2018). "New report classifies US as a "flawed democracy" - Partisanship and Trump were to blame for the US's dismal ranking in the Economist's annual Democracy Index report". Salon. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  10. ^ Eshe Nelson (25 January 2017). "The US has been downgraded to a "flawed democracy," but not just because of Trump". Quartz. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  11. ^ "Declining trust in government is denting democracy". The Economist. 25 January 2017. Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  12. ^ "Democracy Index 2017: Free speech under attack". eiu.com. The Economist Intelligence Unit. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Democracy Index 2019 A year of democratic setbacks and popular protest". EIU.com. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  14. ^ "Taiwan most democratic country in East Asia: The Economist". 3 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  15. ^ "Democracy Index 2020: In sickness and in health?". EIU.com. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  16. ^ "The Economist Group - EIU's 2023 Democracy Index: Conflict and polarisation drive a new low for global democracy".
  17. ^ Tasker, Peter (25 February 2016). "Peter Tasker: The flawed 'science' behind democracy rankings". Nikkei Asia. Archived from the original on 2019-02-23. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
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