🌍 EIU Democracy Index Calculator
Economist Intelligence Unit - Comprehensive Democracy Assessment Tool
Calculate EIU Democracy Index
📚 EIU Democracy Index Methodology
Scoring System
| Response Type | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | 1.0 | Yes / Strong / Present |
| Partial | 0.5 | Mixed / Transitional / Moderate |
| Negative | 0.0 | No / Weak / Absent |
Calculation Process
Step 1: Indicator Scoring
Each of the 60 indicators is scored on a 0-1 scale based on expert assessment and survey data.
Step 2: Category Calculation
Within each of 5 categories, sum all indicator scores and divide by the number of indicators, then multiply by 10 to get 0-10 scale.
Step 3: Category Averages
Electoral (12), Government (14), Participation (9), Culture (8), Liberties (17) scores are calculated independently.
Step 4: Overall Index
Sum all five category scores and divide by 5 to get the final EIU Democracy Index (0-10).
Step 5: Regime Classification
Based on final score: Full Democracy (8-10), Flawed (6-7.99), Hybrid (4-5.99), Authoritarian (0-3.99).
Step 6: Analysis & Interpretation
Compare category strengths/weaknesses, analyze regional patterns, and track year-to-year changes.
Five Core Categories
| Category | Indicators | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Electoral Process & Pluralism | 12 | Free/fair elections, multiparty competition, political representation |
| Functioning of Government | 14 | Government effectiveness, accountability, rule of law, no corruption |
| Political Participation | 9 | Citizen engagement, voting rights, civil society, minority participation |
| Political Culture | 8 | Public support for democracy, institutional trust, generational consensus |
| Civil Liberties | 17 | Freedom of expression, press, religion, human rights, minority protections |
Data Sources
Expert Assessments: Country analysts evaluate institutional performance, governance practices, and political freedom based on qualitative research.
Survey Data: World Values Survey, Afrobarometer (Africa), Eurobarometer (Europe), Asian Barometer, LAPOP (Latin America) measure public attitudes and democratic support.
Secondary Sources: Transparency International (corruption), Reporters Without Borders (media freedom), International IDEA (elections).
🎯 Complete List of 60 Indicators
Electoral Process & Pluralism (12 indicators)
| 1. National elections (legislature/head) are free and fair |
| 2. Elections are free and fair (security and credibility) |
| 3. Voting procedures are transparent and reflect voter preferences |
| 4. Campaign financing is regulated and transparent |
| 5. Media coverage of elections is fair and balanced |
| 6. Opposition parties have reasonable access to media |
| 7. Candidates can campaign freely |
| 8. Foreign interference in elections is absent or minimal |
| 9. Multiple political parties can compete effectively |
| 10. Power transfers between parties occur peacefully |
| 11. Federal/regional governments are elected democratically |
| 12. Electoral boundaries are fair and not gerrymandered |
Functioning of Government (14 indicators)
| 1. The legislature has effective power |
| 2. The executive branch is accountable to legislature |
| 3. Government officials are competent in policy implementation |
| 4. Government is effective in implementing policies |
| 5. The judiciary is independent |
| 6. The armed forces are under civilian control |
| 7. Corruption is absent or minimal |
| 8. Transparency and accountability in government decisions |
| 9. The government respects constitutional provisions |
| 10. Power transfers occur constitutionally |
| 11. Government responds to public demands |
| 12. Civil service implements government policies effectively |
| 13. Legislative and executive branches share power appropriately |
| 14. Government institutions function effectively |
Political Participation (9 indicators)
| 1. Citizens have the right to vote |
| 2. Voter registration is accessible |
| 3. Citizens participate in voting (turnout rates) |
| 4. Civil society organizations function freely |
| 5. Citizens can join and participate in political organizations |
| 6. Women can participate in politics and governance |
| 7. Minority groups can participate in political process |
| 8. Labor unions and professional associations function freely |
| 9. Citizens can engage in direct democracy mechanisms |
Political Culture (8 indicators)
| 1. Citizens prefer democracy to other political systems |
| 2. Support for democratic values among population |
| 3. Military rule is not considered acceptable |
| 4. Expert rule is not preferred to democracy |
| 5. Support for strong authoritarian leadership is low |
| 6. Generational divide in democratic support (minimal) |
| 7. Public trust in political institutions |
| 8. Participation in civil society organizations |
Civil Liberties (17 indicators)
| 1. Freedom of expression is protected |
| 2. Media independence and freedom from censorship |
| 3. Academic freedom and freedom of thought |
| 4. Civil society is independent from state |
| 5. Workers' rights are protected |
| 6. Women's political and economic rights |
| 7. Minority rights protection (racial, religious, ethnic) |
| 8. Asylum seekers and refugees are protected |
| 9. LGBTQ+ rights protection |
| 10. Freedom of religion is protected |
| 11. Freedom of movement is protected |
| 12. Absence of extrajudicial killings |
| 13. Absence of torture |
| 14. Judicial independence from political pressure |
| 15. Media and news organization access |
| 16. Legal rights and human rights protections |
| 17. Prison conditions and treatment of detainees |
🏛️ Regime Type Classifications
Score Range: 8.00 – 10.00
Characteristics:
- Free and fair elections
- Strong civil liberties
- Functioning government
- Democratic participatory culture
- Media freedom
- Rule of law
Global Share (2024): 15.0% (25 countries)
Examples: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand
Score Range: 6.01 – 7.99
Characteristics:
- Competitive elections (some weaknesses)
- Decent governance and liberties
- Some democratic backsliding
- Partial institutional constraints
- Limited media freedom
- Some corruption
Global Share (2024): 27.5% (46 countries)
Examples: India, Brazil, South Africa, Philippines, Mexico, Ukraine, Poland
Score Range: 4.01 – 6.00
Characteristics:
- Mix of democratic & authoritarian traits
- Elections but not fully free/fair
- Weak institutions
- Limited freedoms
- Significant corruption
- Unstable governance
Global Share (2024): 21.6% (36 countries)
Examples: Nicaragua, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Montenegro, Belarus (lower end)
Score Range: 0.00 – 4.00
Characteristics:
- No free elections
- Restricted freedoms
- Weak rule of law
- Concentrated power
- Repressed dissent
- No civil liberties
Global Share (2024): 35.9% (60 countries)
Examples: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Egypt, Syria, Zimbabwe
2024 Regional Average Scores
Global Trends (2008-2024)
| Category | 2008 Average | 2024 Average | Change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electoral Process | 5.96 | 5.30 | −0.66 | 📉 Major Decline |
| Government Functioning | 5.00 | 4.53 | −0.47 | 📉 Significant Decline |
| Political Participation | 4.94 | 5.68 | +0.74 | 📈 Only Improving |
| Political Culture | 5.73 | 5.25 | −0.48 | 📉 Significant Decline |
| Civil Liberties | 5.79 | 4.79 | −1.00 | 📉 Largest Decline |
⚠️ Key Finding: Civil liberties, electoral processes, and government functioning have declined significantly since 2008, while political participation is the only category showing improvement. This reflects global democratic challenges including erosion of press freedom, institutional gridlock, and rising authoritarianism in several regions.
📖 Reference Guide & FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often is the EIU Democracy Index published?
A: Annually since 2010 (biennial 2006-2010). The index covers 167 countries and territories globally.
Q: What is the difference between EIU and Polity IV indices?
A: EIU uses 60 indicators across 5 dimensions with expert + survey data; Polity IV focuses on 6 institutional variables with historical data back to 1800. EIU is more comprehensive; Polity is more institutional.
Q: What does a score of 5.0 mean?
A: A score of 5.0 places a country in the "Hybrid Regime" category—mix of democratic and authoritarian characteristics. Examples include Bangladesh (4.75), Pakistan (3.53), and Mongolia (6.83).
Q: Which category has the most indicators?
A: Civil Liberties has 17 indicators (freedom of expression, press, religion, human rights). Functioning of Government has 14; Electoral Process has 12; Political Participation has 9; Political Culture has 8.
Q: How are scores calculated?
A: Each indicator scores 0 (no), 0.5 (partial), or 1 (yes). Sum category scores, divide by indicator count, multiply by 10. Average all 5 categories for final index.
Q: What criticisms exist about EIU?
A: Relies on "anonymous experts" (potential bias), Western-liberal bias in democracy definition, subjective judgment, limited attention to economic factors, survey data gaps requiring proxy estimates.
Q: Which countries rank highest and lowest?
A: Highest: Denmark (9.37), Norway (9.36), Sweden (9.26). Lowest: North Korea (1.08), Syria (1.43), Chad (1.98). India ranks 6.71 (Flawed Democracy); Pakistan 3.53 (Hybrid).
Using This Calculator
For Academic Research:
- Use this tool to understand EIU methodology and calculate indices for countries
- Compare category strengths across nations for comparative analysis
- Analyze regional patterns and democratic clustering
- Generate reports for geographic or political science research
For Policy Analysis:
- Identify weakest categories for targeted reform focus
- Benchmark against regional averages and peer countries
- Track year-over-year progress on specific indicators
- Design interventions based on indicator gaps
For Educational Use:
- Teach democracy assessment frameworks to students
- Compare different country profiles as case studies
- Create visualizations of global democratic distribution
- Analyze what factors contribute to strong/weak democracy
Key Insights from 2024 Data
Civil Liberties Crisis
Largest decline (−1.00 since 2008). Press freedom and freedom of expression under pressure globally, especially in Asia and Eastern Europe.
Government Gridlock
Functioning of Government at 4.53/10. Institutional gridlock, corruption, and ineffective policy implementation affect even established democracies.
Participation Growth
Only improving category (+0.74). Civil society engagement and citizen participation increasing despite democratic backsliding.
Western Leadership
Western Europe (8.38) and North America (8.27) remain global democracy leaders, but showing signs of stress and declining civil liberties.
Recommended Readings
- The Economist Intelligence Unit - "Democracy Index 2024" Annual Report
- V-Dem Institute - "Varieties of Democracy" Project (comprehensive 5 democracy types)
- Polity Project - "Polity IV: Political Regime Characteristics" (institutional analysis)
- International IDEA - "Global State of Democracy" (context-sensitive approach)
- Freedom House - "Freedom in the World" (civil liberties focus)
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