Estonia attains "complete democracy" status in the Economist Democracy Ranking Index.

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For the very first time, the Economist Democracy Index is ranking Estonia as a "full democracy," moving up from its previous classification of a "flawed" one.

In this year's index, compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Estonia ranks 21st, sharing the spot with Spain, boasting a democracy score of 8.13. Despite being positioned favorably in past years, Estonia previously was categorized as a "flawed democracy," highlighting fair and free elections, honoring basic civil liberties, but encountering issues with underdeveloped political culture, participant apathy in politics, and governance challenges.

However, the latest version of the index marks Estonia's graduation to a "full democracy." This classifies it as a nation where civil liberties and fundamental political freedoms not only exist but are sustained by a political culture that promotes the growth of democratic principles. These nations enjoy a robust system of checks and balances, independent judiciaries, functioning governments, and diverse, independent media.

The Baltics Set the Pace

Notably, the Czech Republic and Portugal have also been upgraded to "full democracies" in the 2024 index. The index points out that, since 2014 when the Czech Republic was demoted to a "flawed democracy," Eastern Europe has not boasted "full democracies." Now, with Estonia and Czech Republic moving up, it now showcases two "full democracies."

Regrettably, the index doesn't actively address what specific changes led to Estonia's upgrade or the trigger that promoted the country to meet "full democracy" standards. Our digital publication reached out to the Economist Intelligence Unit ten days ago, inquiring about clarification, but hasn't received a response yet.

Still, the index identifies that "[a]t 7.43, the average index score for the countries of central Europe (Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia) and the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) significantly exceeds the overall regional average, which is burdened by the 'authoritarian regimes' prevalent further east."

Only 6.6% of the World's Population Live in "Full Democracies"

Analyzing Estonia's immediate neighbors on the index, Sweden takes the third spot with a democracy score of 9.39, followed by Finland in sixth (9.3)—both "full democracies." Latvia comes in 33rd with a score of 7.66, while Lithuania ranks 36th with a score of 7.59, both "flawed democracies." Russia, Estonia's neighbor, sits in 150th place, with a score of 2.03 and labeled an "authoritarian" regime.

Touting the title of the world's most democratic country, according to the index, is Norway (9.81), followed by New Zealand (9.61).

The Economist Democracy Index covers 167 geographies—165 countries and two territories—with only 25 falling under the "full democracies" category, representing 15% of indexed countries and merely 6.6% of the global population. Moreover, there are 46 "flawed democracies," 36 "hybrid regimes," and a striking 60 "authoritarian regimes."

"Four years after the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a rollback of freedoms worldwide, the 2024 results showcase a continuous democratic malaise. Only a minority of countries (37) improved their index score in 2024, and the scale of improvement for most was small and often came from a low base," the EIU mentions in the index.

"A much larger number (83) registered a decline in their score, and some of these deteriorations were substantial. The scores for the other 47 countries remained unchanged. That means that the quality of democracy in 130 countries out of the 167 covered by the index either worsened or stagnated."

The Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index has ranked Estonia as a "full democracy" for the first time, moving up from its previous classification of a "flawed" one.
In the 2024 index, Estonia shares the 21st spot with Spain, boasting a democracy score of 8.13, signifying a significant improvement.
The index upgrade classifies Estonia as a nation where civil liberties and fundamental political freedoms not only exist but are sustained by a political culture that promotes growth of democratic principles.
The Czech Republic and Portugal have also been upgraded to "full democracies" in the 2024 index, making Eastern Europe showcase two "full democracies" for the first time since 2014.
Though specific changes leading to Estonia's upgrade are not explicitly stated in the index, the average index score for the countries of central Europe and the Baltics significantly exceeds the overall regional average.
The 2024 results of the Democracy Index indicate a continuous democratic malaise with only a minority of countries improving their scores, while a majority registered a decline or stagnation.
Despite Estonia being a "full democracy," there are only 25 countries (15% of indexed countries and 6.6% of the global population) falling under the "full democracies" category, as per the Economist Democracy Index.