In this article we look at the 10 most democratic countries in the world. You can read about corporations that are advancing democracy around the world and how they are doing so by heading over to our article, Top 30 Most Democratic Countries in the World.
10. Australia
Score: 13
Despite a drop of six ranking spots from last year on The Economist’s Democracy Index, Australia remains one of the most democratic nations in the world. However, according to a report, only 41% of Australians are currently satisfied with their country’s democracy, a significant decline from 86% in 2007.
9. Germany
Score: 13
Germany has a vibrant, representative political system due to its strong democratic institutions. The country scores high on several key democratic metrics including electoral process, pluralism, political participation, and civil liberties.
8. Netherlands
Score: 11.5
The Netherlands is one of the most democratic countries in the world. It ranked 9th on the Democracy Index published by The Economist this year. More than two-thirds of the Dutch population is satisfied with democracy in their country.
7. Ireland
Score: 8
Next on our list is Ireland. Political stability and strong democratic credentials have contributed to the country’s economic progress as well. Ireland has had the second highest rate of economic growth in the last five years. You can read more about this in our article here.
6. Finland
Score: 7.5
Finland is a parliamentary republic under the 1999 constitution. It ranks fifth on the The Economist and 10th on V-dem Institute’s democracy indices.
5. Switzerland
Score: 5.5
Switzerland is a direct democracy, where the public not only votes to elect a government, but also on specific issues of national interest, such as amendment of the constitution.
4. New Zealand
Score: 4
Due to a strong rule of law, and fair and transparent electoral process, New Zealand ranks among the most democratic countries in the world. It is considered among the top ranked countries for political participation.
3. Denmark
Score: 3.5
Denmark is one of the most democratic countries in the world, and usually finds itself listed among the top ranked countries in all democracy indices. Denmark’s media is pluralist with a high degree of freedom. It received a solid 10/10 score from The Economist for its electoral process in its 2022 report.
2. Sweden
Score: 3
Sweden is the second most democratic country in the world. The country has a parliamentary system functioning under a constitutional monarchy. An estimated 74% of the Swedes are satisfied with democracy in their country.
1. Norway
Score: 2
Norway is the most democratic country in the world. It scored 10 out of 10 on three metrics considered by The Economist’s Democracy Index 2022: electoral process and pluralism, political participation, and political culture. The country is ranked third on V-dem Institute’s Democracy Report 2023.
Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily enewsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below. You can also take a look at 30 Least Developed Countries in the World and Funds that Invest in Them and 25 Countries with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in the World.
Follow Insider Monkey on X.
