The Top 15 Democracies on the Planet (And Why the U.S. Isn’t One of Them)

Multi colored hands drawn raising towards the sky with vote written in the image.
Voting is a primary function of democracy. | TheaDesign/Getty Images

The Economist’s Intelligence Unit has recorded the sharpest decline in democracy around the world since it began publishing its Democracy Index. All around the world, threats to democracy are becoming more and more prevalent as nativism and erosions of the press grow more intense. Democracies around the world are fragile, and it’s up to each country’s people to make them better and more stable.

The Economist’s Intelligence Unit judges the strength of a democracy on five different categories: “Electoral process and pluralism; civil liberties; the functioning of government; political participation; and political culture.” Of those five categories, there are an additional 60 factors that are calculated to give an index number for each country. If your country scores an eight or more, then you have a full democracy. If your country scores less than three, then your country is an authoritarian regime.

Of the 133 countries in the world that this index is based on, only 19 of them are considered a “full democracy.” The United States was downgraded last year to a flawed democracy, and remains in that same dubious category this year. Let’s take a look at the top 15 countries if you dare by scrolling down to the next page.

large number of press and media reporter in broadcasting event
Freedom of the press is vital to democracies as a check on government power. | Suriya Silsaksom/Getty Images

Next: See what countries ranked in the top 15.

15. Austria – 8.14/10.00

Vienna, Austria
Vienna, Austria | Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images

Out of the five categories, Austria scored the lowest under the “political culture” section with a score of 6.88. Their strongest category was the “electoral process and pluralism” with a score of 9.58.

christmas lights in vienna, austria
Tourists and locals visit the Christmas market in front of Vienna’s City Hall. | Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images

Next: It’s hard to imagine a monarchy having a better democracy than the U.S., yet here we are. 

14. The United Kingdom – 8.53/10.00

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Although the monarchy is the face of the nation, the government is very much a democracy. Their “functioning of government” category could use some help with a score of 7.5. But, they more than make up for it with their best score from the “electoral process and pluralism” category, sitting at 9.58.

British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves number 10 Downing Street
British Prime Minister Theresa May | Leon Neal/Getty Images

Next: They were once one of the most oppressive countries on the planet.

13. Germany – 8.61/10.00

A military marching band performs prior to a swearing-in ceremony for new recruits of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, in front of the Reichstag building.
A military marching band performs prior to a swearing-in ceremony for new recruits of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, in front of the Reichstag building. | Adam Berry/Getty Images

It’s hard to imagine that less than 100 years ago, the Germans were our sworn enemy and the definition of an authoritarian regime. Now they have some of the freest elections with a score of 9.58 in that category. But, they still need some work in their “political culture” segment with a score of 7.5.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel
German Chancellor Angela Merkel | Adam Berry/Getty Images

Next: A little country that has a stronger democracy than ours

12. Luxembourg – 8.81/10.00

A view of Luxembourg City.
A view of Luxembourg City | Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images

Luxembourg is the first country to get a perfect score in a single category of the top 15 countries listed here. They scored a 10 in the “electoral process and pluralism” section. Oddly enough, their lowest score was in “political participation” with 6.67. If only people knew how easy it was to participate in their government in Luxembourg.

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg attends celebrations of National Day
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg | Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images

Next: This country didn’t score below an eight in any category.

11. The Netherlands – 8.89/10.00

Dutch King Willem-Alexander (C) hands out high fives during the celebration of the 50th anniversary
King Willem-Alexander | Robin Van Lonkhuijsen/AFP/Getty Images

The Dutch really know how to do it. In every category, they scored above an eight. Their strongest category was the “electoral process and pluralism” where they score a 9.58. “Political culture” was their lowest score with 8.13.

Dutch Queen Maxima
Dutch Queen Maxima | Remko De Waal/AFP/Getty Images

Next: We have our first tie, so please excuse the wonky numbering. 

T-9 Switzerland – 9.03/10

A flag thrower looks on as alphorn players prepare to perform in Nendaz, Switzerland.
A flag thrower looks on as alphorn players prepare to perform in Nendaz, Switzerland. | Harold Cunningham/Getty Images

Like the Netherlands, Switzerland’s strongest category was the “electoral process and pluralism” section. They scored a 9.58 out of 10. But unfortunately, their “political participation” was way down at 7.78.

A Swiss usher stands in the Parliament room of the Swiss Federal Assembly.
A Swiss usher stands in the Parliament room of the Swiss Federal Assembly. | Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/GettyImages

Next: They [Finnish] nicely tied at No. 9.

T-9 Finland – 9.03/10.00

Helsinki harbor district with Uspenski cathedral in winter, Finland
Helsinki harbor district with Uspenski Cathedral in the winter time. | bluejayphoto/Getty Images

The Finnish must have a very robust electoral system because they scored a 10 in the “electoral process and pluralism” category. Everywhere else was above a nine except for the “political participation” section, where they scored a 7.78.

Re-elected President Sauli Niinistö speaks during the inauguration ceremony of the President of the Republic of Finland during a plenary session of the Finnish Parliament in Helsinki.
Re-elected President Sauli Niinistö speaks during the inauguration ceremony of the President of the Republic of Finland during a plenary session of the Finnish Parliament in Helsinki. | Antti Aimo-Koivisto/AFP/Getty Images

Next: Now we can leave Europe for a bit. 

8. Australia – 9.09/10.00

A kangaroo at sunset.
You don’t have Australia without a “Roo.” | Ian Waldie/Getty Images

Australia got a perfect score in the “civil liberties” and “electoral process and pluralism” categories. That weighted nicely against a low score of 7.78 in the political participation section. For a country founded from a penal colony, we’d say they’re doing a heck of a job.

A vote takes place in the House of Representatives to amend the marriage equality bill.
A vote takes place in the Australian House of Representatives to amend the marriage equality bill. | Michael Masters/Getty Images

Next: Another tie for the books

T-6 Canada – 9.15/10.00

Canadian fans celebrate Women’s Ice Hockey | Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty Images

Political participation continues to be most of these countries’ struggling section. Canada is no different with a score of 7.78. They do, however, have a perfect score on “civil liberties.” Those two scores balance out nicely and set them in a great spot on the EIU index.

Prince Harry meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Prince Harry meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.| Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

Next: Let’s go back across the pond for this next country. 

T-6 Ireland – 9.15/10.00

European Council President Donald Tusk (L) is welcomed to the government buildings by Ireland’s Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar (R) in Dublin. | Paul Faith/AFP/Getty Images

Ireland posted two perfect scores in the “political culture” and “civil liberties” categories. Their biggest pitfall was the “functioning of government” section where they scored a 7.86. Just like the U.S., it seems other countries have difficulty getting things done in their governments.

Leo Varadkar waves to colleagues as he leaves the parliament in Dublin after being confirmed as Taoiseach.
Leo Varadkar waves to colleagues as he leaves the parliament in Dublin after being confirmed as Taoiseach. | Paul Faith/AFP/Getty Images

Next: The top five are predominantly European. 

5. Denmark – 9.22/10.00

Prince Joachim of Denmark and Princess Alexandra
Prince Joachim of Denmark and Princess Alexandra | Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Denmark is doing great with a healthy position at number five on the list of the full democracies. They scored a 10 in both the “electoral process and pluralism” and “civil liberties” categories. Their lowest score was political participation with 8.33, but that is still pretty great.

Coulourful houses and boats can be seen in the Nyhavn district in Copenhagen
Colorful houses and boats in the Nyhavn district in Copenhagen. | Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images

Next: Those Kiwis really have something going for them down there.

4. New Zealand – 9.26/10.00

New Zealand flags fly in front of The Beehive during the Commission Opening of Parliament at Parliament.
New Zealand flags fly in front of The Beehive during the Commission Opening of Parliament. | Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

As we get into these higher numbers, you’ll notice that the countries listed do very well in the “electoral process and pluralism,” and the “civil liberties” categories. New Zealand scored a 10 in each category. Their political culture is at 8.13, but I think they’re doing just fine.

The Chalice in Cathedral Square, Christchurch
The Chalice in Cathedral Square, Christchurch. | chameleonseye/ Getty Images

Next: Here’s where Northern Europe takes the lead. 

3. Sweden – 9.39/10.00

Prince Carl Phillip, Princess Sofia, and Prince Alexander of Sweden participate in a ceremony celebrating Sweden's national day
Prince Carl Phillip, Princess Sofia, and Prince Alexander of Sweden | Michael Campanella/Getty Images

Oddly enough, Sweden participated in some very horrible things in their recent history. But, it seems they have made a complete recovery because they now have a perfect score in “civil liberties” and “electoral process and pluralism.”

The Old Town (Gamla Stan) pier in Stockholm, Sweden. | scanrail/Getty Images

Next: Can you guess what No. 2 is?

2. Iceland – 9.58

Reykjavik the capital city of Iceland.
Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland | Boyloso/Getty Images

With only one score below a nine, Iceland holds the No. 2 spot on the list of the worlds strongest democracies. They have a perfect score in political culture and the electoral process. The lowest section was their political participation with a score of 8.89.

Government House in Reykjavik, Iceland
The Government House in Reykjavik, Iceland | emkaplin/Getty Images

Next: The No. 1 democracy in the world is …

1. Norway 9.87/10

People in Norway during Constitution Day, waving flags at the passing procession. | MaxOzerov/Getty Images

Norway has democracy down. They scored a perfect 10 in three separate categories and their weakest section was “functioning of government”; they scored a 9.29. To put that into perspective, the U.S. scored a 7.22 in that category. Norway certainly has an amazing democracy according to this index.

Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon and his bride Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby leave the Oslo Cathedral
Crown Prince Haakon and his bride Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby | Press Norway/Getty Images

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