Top Countries with Full Democracy in the World

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Where Democracy Flourishes and Where It Falters: A 2025 Global Breakdown

Full Democracies Make Up Just Over 6% of the World Population

Only a small slice of the globe—around 6.6%—enjoy what the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) labels as “full democracy.” These nations are celebrated for their transparent governance, strong civil liberties, and stable political environments. Some of the most prominent countries in this category include:

Norway
New Zealand
Iceland
Sweden
Finland
Denmark
Switzerland
Ireland
Netherlands
Taiwan
Luxembourg
Germany
Australia
Canada
Uruguay
Costa Rica
United Kingdom
Austria
Portugal (which experienced an upgrade in 2024)
Estonia (upgraded in 2024)
Czech Republic (upgraded in 2024)
Japan
Malta
Spain
Mauritius

This elite group embodies political systems where citizens have meaningful participation, robust protections of civil liberties, and well-functioning institutions ensuring rule of law.

Flawed Democracies Cover Nearly Two-Fifths of the Population

A substantial portion—about 38.4%—lives under flawed democratic regimes. These nations often face challenges like electoral irregularities, limited civil liberties, or issues with government accountability, though they retain some democratic features. Notable countries include:

United States (post-2024 assessments)
France (which was downgraded in 2024)
South Korea (also downgraded in 2024)
India
Brazil
Italy
South Africa
Argentina
Philippines
Indonesia
Greece
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Chile
Colombia
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Ghana
Hungary
Jamaica
Latvia
Lithuania
Malaysia
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Namibia
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Serbia
Slovenia
Slovakia
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago
Timor-Leste
Tunisia
Zambia
Botswana
Cape Verde
Lesotho
Papua New Guinea
San Marino

Hybrid Regimes Represent Nearly 16% of Humanity

Hybrid systems lie somewhere between full democracy and authoritarian rule. These governments might hold elections but often struggle with issues like corruption, restrictions on opposition, or uneven institutional independence. For 2025, examples include:

Romania (downgraded in 2024)
Turkey
Ukraine
Bangladesh
Pakistan
Albania
Hong Kong
Armenia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Georgia
Honduras
Kenya
Kosovo
Lebanon
Madagascar
North Macedonia
Malawi
Mauritania
Mongolia
Nepal
Nigeria
Palestinian Territories
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Uganda
Zimbabwe
Burundi
Guatemala
Iraq
Morocco
El Salvador
Singapore
Bolivia
Fiji

Authoritarian Regimes Dominate With Over 39% of the Global Population

The largest chunk—around 39.2%—are under authoritarian rule, where political power is often concentrated in a single leader or ruling elite, with little regard for civil liberties or political pluralism:

China
Russia
North Korea
Afghanistan
Syria
Cuba
Nicaragua
Venezuela
Iran
Egypt
Belarus
Eritrea
Laos
Vietnam
Saudi Arabia
Azerbaijan
Kazakhstan
Rwanda
Democratic Republic of Congo
Ethiopia
Chad
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Equatorial Guinea
Somalia
South Sudan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Yemen
Angola
Djibouti
Guinea
Mali
Niger
Sudan
Togo
Bahrain
Algeria
Burkina Faso
and several Gulf countries like Qatar, UAE, Oman, Jordan, Libya, and Myanmar

The 2025 Political Climate: Trends and Challenges

The shifting statuses—such as Portugal, Estonia, and the Czech Republic ascending from flawed democracies to full democracies—highlight ongoing political reforms. Conversely, some countries like France and South Korea experienced downgrades, signaling rising concerns about civil liberties or electoral integrity. The data underscores the importance of vigilant democratic safeguarding efforts worldwide.

This global snapshot offers a critical glimpse into the current state of governance, emphasizing that while democracy persists, it continues to face significant hurdles across continents.

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Democracy Index 2024, published February 2025.