*Methodology: The Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index, on a scale from 0 to 10, is based on scores from 60 indicators grouped into five categories: electoral process and pluralism; civil liberties; functioning of government; political participation; and political culture. Each category is scored on a scale from 0 to 10, and the overall index is the average of the five category scores.
Between 8 and 10: full democracy Between 6 and 8: flawed democracy Between 4 and 6: hybrid regime Less than 4: authoritarian regime
The 2024 Democracy Index ranks the Nordic countries as the top democratic countries in Europe, with Norway leading, followed by Sweden and Iceland. These are full democracies, meaning civil and political liberties are respected, voter turnout is high, and the judiciary is independent. France, with a score just below *, is considered a flawed democracy, showing some weaknesses in terms of freedoms, political participation, or government functioning. The Balkan countries are at the bottom of the ranking, many being hybrid regimes such as Georgia, Romania, Moldova, Albania, and Serbia. Russia is ultimately last in the European ranking, with a score below *, and is defined by the source as an authoritarian regime.
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OWID. (March 5, 2025). Democracy Index of European Countries in 2024 (on a scale, 10 = very democratic; 0 = very authoritarian) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 30, 2026, from /statistics/1640507/democracy-index-the-most-and-least-democratic-european-countries/
OWID. "Democracy Index of European Countries in 2024 (on a scale, 10 = very democratic; 0 = very authoritarian)." Chart. March 5, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 30, 2026. /statistics/1640507/democracy-index-the-most-and-least-democratic-european-countries/
OWID. (2025). Democracy Index of European Countries in 2024 (on a scale, 10 = very democratic; 0 = very authoritarian). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 30, 2026. /statistics/1640507/democracy-index-the-most-and-least-democratic-european-countries/
OWID. "Democracy Index of European Countries in 2024 (on a Scale, 10 = Very Democratic; 0 = Very Authoritarian)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 5 Mar 2025, /statistics/1640507/democracy-index-the-most-and-least-democratic-european-countries/
OWID, Democracy Index of European Countries in 2024 (on a scale, 10 = very democratic; 0 = very authoritarian) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1640507/democracy-index-the-most-and-least-democratic-european-countries/ (last visited July 30, 2026)
Democracy Index of European Countries in 2024 (on a scale, 10 = very democratic; 0 = very authoritarian) [Graph], OWID, March 5, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1640507/democracy-index-the-most-and-least-democratic-european-countries/
