According to the Democracy Index, China was the least democratic country in the world in 2023. Countries are given a score from 0 to 10 with scores closer to 10 meaning the country is more democratic. Burundi followed behind, with Gabon in third. Note that numbers were unavailable for several countries ranked among the least democratic in 2022, such as Afghanistan and North Korea*.
30 least democratic countries worldwide according to the Democracy Index in 2023
The Democracy Index is an index created by the Economist Intelligence Unit that seeks to rank the quality of select democracies around the world. Countries are given a score of 0 to 10 for the following categories; electoral process and pluralism, functioning of government, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties. 10 is the the highest possible score where countries with scores closer to 10 are considered more democratic.
*Numbers were unavailable for several countries ranked among the least democratic in 2022: Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Myanmar, Laos, Belarus, Yemen, Turkmenistan, Syria, Tajikistan, DR Congo, Central African Republic, Chad, and Equatorial Guinea.
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OWID. (May 22, 2024). 30 least democratic countries worldwide according to the Democracy Index in 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/681644/democracy-index-bottom-30/
OWID. "30 least democratic countries worldwide according to the Democracy Index in 2023." Chart. May 22, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 18, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/681644/democracy-index-bottom-30/
OWID. (2024). 30 least democratic countries worldwide according to the Democracy Index in 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 18, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/681644/democracy-index-bottom-30/
OWID. "30 Least Democratic Countries Worldwide According to The Democracy Index in 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 22 May 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/681644/democracy-index-bottom-30/
OWID, 30 least democratic countries worldwide according to the Democracy Index in 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/681644/democracy-index-bottom-30/ (last visited December 18, 2024)
30 least democratic countries worldwide according to the Democracy Index in 2023 [Graph], OWID, May 22, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/681644/democracy-index-bottom-30/
