Democracy Index 2024

Democracy Index

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

Austria

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

8.1

#18

Azerbaijan

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.7

#137

Bahrain

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.5

#143

Bangladesh

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#71

Belarus

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.4

#145

Belgium

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.5

#34

Benin

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

4.2

#104

Bhutan

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.7

#77

Bolivia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

4.6

#97

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#94

Botswana

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.7

#29

Brazil

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.9

#45

Bulgaria

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.6

#52

Burkina Faso

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.8

#111

Burundi

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.1

#148

Cambodia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.9

#130

Cameroon

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.6

#141

Canada

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

8.9

#10

Central African Republic

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

1.4

#161

Chad

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

1.7

#159

Chile

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.9

#24

China

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.2

#147

Colombia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.5

#54

Comoros

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.2

#123

Costa Rica

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

8.1

#19

Croatia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.5

#55

Cuba

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.6

#142

Cyprus

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.4

#36

Czech Republic

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.7

#30

DR Congo

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

1.4

#162

Denmark

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

9.1

Djibouti

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.7

#138

Dominican Republic

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.5

#56

Ecuador

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.7

#78

Egypt

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.9

#131

El Salvador

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.7

#79

Equatorial Guinea

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

1.9

#154

Eritrea

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#152

Estonia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.8

#27

Eswatini

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.1

#128

Ethiopia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.3

#122

Fiji

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.6

#83

Finland

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

9.3

France

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#22

Gabon

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.4

#121

Gambia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

4.4

#101

Georgia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.1

#90

Germany

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

8.7

#14

Ghana

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.5

#57

Greece

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.6

#32

Guatemala

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

4.6

#98

Guinea

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.3

#146

Guinea Bissau

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.7

#139

Guyana

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.2

#64

Haiti

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.5

#115

Honduras

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.1

#91

Hong Kong

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.6

#84

Hungary

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.5

#58

Iceland

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

9.2

India

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.9

#46

Indonesia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.7

#51

Iran

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

1.9

#155

Iraq

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.5

#116

Ireland

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

Israel

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#23

Italy

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.7

#31

Ivory Coast

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

4.2

#105

Jamaica

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.1

#42

Japan

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

8.2

#16

Jordan

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.5

#117

Kazakhstan

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.1

#126

Kenya

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.1

#92

Kuwait

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.9

#108

Kyrgyzstan

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.6

#114

Laos

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

1.8

#158

Latvia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.3

#37

Lebanon

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.8

#112

Lesotho

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.3

#63

Liberia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.4

#89

Libya

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

1.9

#156

Lithuania

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.2

#38

Luxembourg

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

8.7

#15

Madagascar

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.7

#80

Malawi

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.7

#81

Malaysia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.2

#39

Mali

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.5

#118

Malta

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.6

#33

Mauritania

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#107

Mauritius

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

8.1

#20

Mexico

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.6

#85

Moldova

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.1

#67

Mongolia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.4

#60

Montenegro

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#72

Morocco

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#95

Mozambique

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.5

#119

Myanmar

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#165

Namibia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.5

#59

Nepal

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

4.4

#100

Netherlands

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

8.9

#11

New Zealand

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

9.4

Nicaragua

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.7

#140

Niger

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.2

#124

Nigeria

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

4.1

#106

North Korea

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

1.1

#164

North Macedonia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#73

Norway

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

9.8

Oman

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#129

Pakistan

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

4.3

#102

Palestine

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.9

#109

Panama

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.9

#47

Papua New Guinea

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.1

#68

Paraguay

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.9

#76

Peru

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.1

#69

Philippines

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.6

#53

Poland

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.8

#49

Portugal

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.8

#28

Qatar

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.7

#113

Republic of the Congo

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.8

#135

Romania

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.4

#61

Russia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.2

#125

Rwanda

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

3.1

#127

Saudi Arabia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.1

#149

Senegal

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.5

#88

Serbia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.4

#62

Sierra Leone

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#96

Singapore

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.2

#65

Slovakia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#43

Slovenia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.5

#35

South Africa

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#44

South Korea

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

8.2

#17

Spain

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.9

#25

Sri Lanka

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.1

#70

Sudan

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.5

#144

Suriname

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

6.8

#50

Sweden

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

9.3

Switzerland

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

8.9

#12

Syria

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

1.4

#163

Taiwan

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

Tajikistan

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

1.9

#157

Tanzania

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.1

#93

Thailand

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#74

Timor Leste

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.1

#41

Togo

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.8

#136

Trinidad and Tobago

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.2

#40

Tunisia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#75

Turkey

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

4.3

#103

Turkmenistan

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

1.7

#160

Uganda

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

4.5

#99

Ukraine

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.6

#86

United Arab Emirates

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.9

#132

United Kingdom

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

8.1

#21

United States

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

7.9

#26

Uruguay

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

8.8

#13

Uzbekistan

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.1

#150

Venezuela

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.1

#151

Vietnam

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.9

#133

Yemen

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

#153

Zambia

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

5.7

#82

Zimbabwe

Metric

Value

Rank

Democracy Index

2.9

#134

Table

Region ↕	Democracy Index ↕
Afghanistan	0.3
Albania	6.1
Algeria	3.8
Angola	3.4
Argentina	6.8
Armenia	5.5
Australia	8.9
Austria	8.1
Azerbaijan	2.7
Bahrain	2.5
Bangladesh	6
Belarus	2.4
Belgium	7.5
Benin	4.2
Bhutan	5.7
Bolivia	4.6
Bosnia and Herzegovina	5
Botswana	7.7
Brazil	6.9
Bulgaria	6.6
Burkina Faso	3.8
Burundi	2.1
Cambodia	2.9
Cameroon	2.6
Canada	8.9
Central African Republic	1.4
Chad	1.7
Chile	7.9
China	2.2
Colombia	6.5
Comoros	3.2
Costa Rica	8.1
Croatia	6.5
Cuba	2.6
Cyprus	7.4
Czech Republic	7.7
DR Congo	1.4
Denmark	9.1
Djibouti	2.7
Dominican Republic	6.5
Ecuador	5.7
Egypt	2.9
El Salvador	5.7
Equatorial Guinea	1.9
Eritrea	2
Estonia	7.8
Eswatini	3.1
Ethiopia	3.3
Fiji	5.6
Finland	9.3
France	8
Gabon	3.4
Gambia	4.4
Georgia	5.1
Germany	8.7
Ghana	6.5
Greece	7.6
Guatemala	4.6
Guinea	2.3
Guinea Bissau	2.7
Guyana	6.2
Haiti	3.5
Honduras	5.1
Hong Kong	5.6
Hungary	6.5
Iceland	9.2
India	6.9
Indonesia	6.7
Iran	1.9
Iraq	3.5
Ireland	9
Israel	8
Italy	7.7
Ivory Coast	4.2
Jamaica	7.1
Japan	8.2
Jordan	3.5
Kazakhstan	3.1
Kenya	5.1
Kuwait	3.9
Kyrgyzstan	3.6
Laos	1.8
Latvia	7.3
Lebanon	3.8
Lesotho	6.3
Liberia	5.4
Libya	1.9
Lithuania	7.2
Luxembourg	8.7
Madagascar	5.7
Malawi	5.7
Malaysia	7.2
Mali	3.5
Malta	7.6
Mauritania	4
Mauritius	8.1
Mexico	5.6
Moldova	6.1
Mongolia	6.4
Montenegro	6
Morocco	5
Mozambique	3.5
Myanmar	1
Namibia	6.5
Nepal	4.4
Netherlands	8.9
New Zealand	9.4
Nicaragua	2.7
Niger	3.2
Nigeria	4.1
North Korea	1.1
North Macedonia	6
Norway	9.8
Oman	3
Pakistan	4.3
Palestine	3.9
Panama	6.9
Papua New Guinea	6.1
Paraguay	5.9
Peru	6.1
Philippines	6.6
Poland	6.8
Portugal	7.8
Qatar	3.7
Republic of the Congo	2.8
Romania	6.4
Russia	3.2
Rwanda	3.1
Saudi Arabia	2.1
Senegal	5.5
Serbia	6.4
Sierra Leone	5
Singapore	6.2
Slovakia	7
Slovenia	7.5
South Africa	7
South Korea	8.2
Spain	7.9
Sri Lanka	6.1
Sudan	2.5
Suriname	6.8
Sweden	9.3
Switzerland	8.9
Syria	1.4
Taiwan	9
Tajikistan	1.9
Tanzania	5.1
Thailand	6
Timor Leste	7.1
Togo	2.8
Trinidad and Tobago	7.2
Tunisia	6
Turkey	4.3
Turkmenistan	1.7
Uganda	4.5
Ukraine	5.6
United Arab Emirates	2.9
United Kingdom	8.1
United States	7.9
Uruguay	8.8
Uzbekistan	2.1
Venezuela	2.1
Vietnam	2.9
Yemen	2
Zambia	5.7
Zimbabwe	2.9

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