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The Economist Democracy Index

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For overview of democracy indices, see Democracy indices.

The 2023 Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index map

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.

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  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

[edit]
  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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