37 indicators in five dimensions.
Our democracy index ranges from 0 to 100 (the highest level of democracy). This scale is divided into four regime categories that our research concluded. Each country is assigned to one category from its overall index score. The same cut-offs apply on maps and tables; colours vary continuously by score (with ticks every 10 points on the scale below) so countries can be compared inside a category.
| Category | Score range |
|---|---|
Consolidated democracy
+ infoDemocratic norms are internalised. Strong electoral and institutional integrity. The presence of clean, free, fair, and peaceful elections; a fully independent judiciary and mechanisms of checks and balances; a transparent system that can be held accountable; and civil liberties are fully protected and provided. Democratic memory increases, and there is an expansion of welfare frameworks and socio-economic development.
|
80–100 |
Developed democracy
+ infoFree and fair elections are the mechanism for transferring power, and there are peaceful alternations. Basic civil liberties are mostly protected. However, institutional quality remains uneven: corruption persists, and the judiciary still responds to the incumbents’ wishes. Socio-economic welfare may increase alongside responsiveness.
|
60–79 |
Illiberal democracy
+ infoElections exist but are altered by fraud, intimidation, and inequalities that limit voting opportunities. Some civil liberties are formally recognised but inconsistently protected. More defined separation of powers, but the rule of law is still weak, and institutions are opaque. Democratic memory frameworks may emerge at this stage.
|
36–59 |
Non-democratic regime
+ infoPolitical power is not delegated from free and fair elections (if they exist, they are deeply controlled). Absence of civil liberties, coupled with the systematic repression of opposition. No constraint mechanisms of checks and balances (no separation of powers in practice), nor transparency. Socio-economic development is present but remains low.
|
0–35 |
Index score scale (0–100)
The index map’s “exact scores” view uses a continuous ramp across the same thresholds as above. Category labels and the results table use one solid colour per regime category.
If there is no transition from authoritarian rule, the “Reparations” block (truth commissions, reparatory policies) is left out of the score and the “Legal” block absorbs the whole weight. Thus, country profiles show Does not apply instead of a number.