Democracy Index 2025

Democracy Index

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Democracy Index 2022

1.	Norway	9.8
2.	New Zealand	9.4
3.	Finland	9.3
4.	Sweden	9.3
5.	Iceland	9.2
6.	Denmark	9.1
7.	Ireland	9
8.	Taiwan	9
9.	Australia	8.9
10.	Canada	8.9
11.	Netherlands	8.9
12.	Switzerland	8.9
13.	Uruguay	8.8
14.	Germany	8.7
15.	Luxembourg	8.7
16.	Japan	8.2
17.	South Korea	8.2
18.	Austria	8.1
19.	Costa Rica	8.1
20.	Mauritius	8.1
21.	United Kingdom	8.1
22.	France	8
23.	Israel	8
24.	Chile	7.9
25.	Spain	7.9
26.	United States	7.9
27.	Estonia	7.8
28.	Portugal	7.8
29.	Botswana	7.7
30.	Czech Republic	7.7
31.	Italy	7.7
32.	Greece	7.6
33.	Malta	7.6
34.	Belgium	7.5
35.	Slovenia	7.5
36.	Cyprus	7.4
37.	Latvia	7.3
38.	Lithuania	7.2
39.	Malaysia	7.2
40.	Trinidad and Tobago	7.2
41.	Timor Leste	7.1
42.	Jamaica	7.1
43.	Slovakia	7
44.	South Africa	7
45.	Brazil	6.9
46.	India	6.9
47.	Panama	6.9
48.	Argentina	6.8
49.	Poland	6.8
50.	Suriname	6.8
51.	Indonesia	6.7
52.	Bulgaria	6.6
53.	Philippines	6.6
54.	Colombia	6.5
55.	Croatia	6.5
56.	Dominican Republic	6.5
57.	Ghana	6.5
58.	Hungary	6.5
59.	Namibia	6.5
60.	Mongolia	6.4
61.	Romania	6.4
62.	Serbia	6.4
63.	Lesotho	6.3
64.	Guyana	6.2
65.	Singapore	6.2
66.	Albania	6.1
67.	Moldova	6.1
68.	Papua New Guinea	6.1
69.	Peru	6.1
70.	Sri Lanka	6.1
71.	Bangladesh	6
72.	Montenegro	6
73.	North Macedonia	6
74.	Thailand	6
75.	Tunisia	6
76.	Paraguay	5.9
77.	Bhutan	5.7
78.	Ecuador	5.7
79.	El Salvador	5.7
80.	Madagascar	5.7
81.	Malawi	5.7
82.	Zambia	5.7
83.	Fiji	5.6
84.	Hong Kong	5.6
85.	Mexico	5.6
86.	Ukraine	5.6
87.	Armenia	5.5
88.	Senegal	5.5
89.	Liberia	5.4
90.	Georgia	5.1
91.	Honduras	5.1
92.	Kenya	5.1
93.	Tanzania	5.1
94.	Bosnia and Herzegovina	5
95.	Morocco	5
96.	Sierra Leone	5
97.	Bolivia	4.6
98.	Guatemala	4.6
99.	Uganda	4.5
100.	Nepal	4.4
101.	Gambia	4.4
102.	Pakistan	4.3
103.	Turkey	4.3
104.	Benin	4.2
105.	Ivory Coast	4.2
106.	Nigeria	4.1
107.	Mauritania	4
108.	Kuwait	3.9
109.	Palestine	3.9
110.	Algeria	3.8
111.	Burkina Faso	3.8
112.	Lebanon	3.8
113.	Qatar	3.7
114.	Kyrgyzstan	3.6
115.	Haiti	3.5
116.	Iraq	3.5
117.	Jordan	3.5
118.	Mali	3.5
119.	Mozambique	3.5
120.	Angola	3.4
121.	Gabon	3.4
122.	Ethiopia	3.3
123.	Comoros	3.2
124.	Niger	3.2
125.	Russia	3.2
126.	Kazakhstan	3.1
127.	Rwanda	3.1
128.	Eswatini	3.1
129.	Oman	3
130.	Cambodia	2.9
131.	Egypt	2.9
132.	United Arab Emirates	2.9
133.	Vietnam	2.9
134.	Zimbabwe	2.9
135.	Republic of the Congo	2.8
136.	Togo	2.8
137.	Azerbaijan	2.7
138.	Djibouti	2.7
139.	Guinea Bissau	2.7
140.	Nicaragua	2.7
141.	Cameroon	2.6
142.	Cuba	2.6
143.	Bahrain	2.5
144.	Sudan	2.5
145.	Belarus	2.4
146.	Guinea	2.3
147.	China	2.2
148.	Burundi	2.1
149.	Saudi Arabia	2.1
150.	Uzbekistan	2.1
151.	Venezuela	2.1
152.	Eritrea	2
153.	Yemen	2
154.	Equatorial Guinea	1.9
155.	Iran	1.9
156.	Libya	1.9
157.	Tajikistan	1.9
158.	Laos	1.8
159.	Chad	1.7
160.	Turkmenistan	1.7
161.	Central African Republic	1.4
162.	DR Congo	1.4
163.	Syria	1.4
164.	North Korea	1.1
165.	Myanmar	1
166.	Afghanistan	0.3

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Interactive Map
Democracies Around the Globe
Top 10 Most Democratic Countries
By Region
Table

Democracies Around the Globe

Every year, the Association for Development and Advancement of the Democracy Award puts forth a comprehensive global ranking of liberal democracies, the Democracy Index. This index measures not only the quality of democracy as a political entity but also integrates other social dimensions such as gender, economy, knowledge, health, and environmental performance to present a richer, more dynamic view of global democratic systems. The data reveals patterns, variations, and intriguing findings in the state of global democracies.

Norway leads the pack with a Democracy Index score of 9.8, closely followed by New Zealand and Finland, both performing extraordinarily well in political and non-political dimensions.
Despite being the birthplace of modern democracy, the United States ranks 26th with a score of 7.9.
Taiwan, despite the political instability around its international recognition, managed a high score of 9 and thus ranks 8th, demonstrating that domestic democratic structures can thrive amidst international challenges.
Across the globe, regions with tumultuous political environments and conflicts, such as Afghanistan, North Korea, and Myanmar, sit at the bottom of the Democracy Index, demonstrating that peace and stability are crucial for a functioning democracy.

Top 10 Most Democratic Countries

Norway leads the way with an exemplary Democracy Index score of 9.8. Renowned for its well-organized social system and effective government, Norway serves as a beacon of democratic ideals on a global scale. Taking the second spot, we have New Zealand with an impressive score of 9.4. This score reflects the nation's strong adherence to democratic principles, which is ingrained in its political landscape and continues to be nurtured by each successive administration. Following closely, we have Finland scoring a 9.3 on the Democracy Index. Equally notable is Sweden, which matches Finland's score. These countries demonstrate a powerful commitment to implementing democratic principles and showcase the success of the social-democratic model. Coming in the fifth position is Iceland, with a score of 9.2 on the Democracy Index. Despite its smaller size and population, Iceland is a stalwart example of integrated and established democracy. Making the sixth position is Denmark with an earnest score of 9.1. Ireland and Taiwan, on the other hand, tie for the seventh position with an impressive 9. The cases of Ireland and Taiwan are particularly intriguing, as they navigate a highly democratic domestic structure in different geopolitical situations. Finally, the list rounds off with Australia and Canada, scoring 8.9 each. Top 10 Most Democratic Countries:

Norway - 9.8
New Zealand - 9.4
Finland - 9.3
Sweden - 9.3
Iceland - 9.2
Denmark - 9.1
Ireland - 9
Taiwan - 9
Australia - 8.9
Canada - 8.9

By Region

Afghanistan

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Democracy Index

Table of Contents

Democracies Around the Globe

Top 10 Most Democratic Countries

By Region

Afghanistan

Albania

Algeria

Angola

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Belarus

Belgium

Benin

Bhutan

Bolivia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Botswana

Brazil

Bulgaria

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cambodia

Cameroon

Canada

Central African Republic

Chad

Chile

China

Colombia

Comoros

Costa Rica

Croatia

Cuba

Cyprus

Czech Republic

DR Congo

Denmark

Djibouti

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

Egypt

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Estonia

Eswatini

Ethiopia

Fiji

Finland

France

Gabon

Gambia

Georgia

Germany

Ghana

Greece

Guatemala

Guinea

Guinea Bissau

Guyana

Haiti

Honduras

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

India

Indonesia

Iran

Iraq

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Ivory Coast

Jamaica