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2026-11-13 01:24:10

How Countries Compare on Rule of Law in 2026

The rule of law means that governments, institutions, and individuals are accountable to laws applied fairly and consistently.

The World Justice Project’s 2026 Rule of Law Index measures this across 143 countries using eight factors, including constraints on government power, corruption, fundamental rights, security, regulatory enforcement, and civil and criminal justice.

Ranking Countries Based on Rule of Law

The following table ranks countries by their 2026 Rule of Law Index scores, ranging from zero (weakest) to one (strongest).

Rank	Country / Jurisdiction	2026 Overall Score
1	Denmark	0.90
2	Norway	0.89
3	Finland	0.87
4	Sweden	0.86
5	Luxembourg	0.83
6	Germany	0.83
7	New Zealand	0.83
8	Ireland	0.82
9	Netherlands	0.82
10	Estonia	0.82
11	Austria	0.80
12	Australia	0.80
13	Canada	0.80
14	Singapore	0.79
15	Japan	0.78
16	Lithuania	0.78
17	Belgium	0.78
18	United Kingdom	0.78
19	Latvia	0.75
20	Korea, Rep.	0.74
21	Czechia	0.73
22	Uruguay	0.72
23	France	0.72
24	Hong Kong SAR, China	0.71
25	Spain	0.71
26	Slovenia	0.68
27	Portugal	0.68
28	Cyprus	0.67
29	Malta	0.67
30	United States	0.67
31	Costa Rica	0.67
32	Poland	0.67
33	Barbados	0.66
34	Chile	0.66
35	Italy	0.66
36	United Arab Emirates	0.64
37	St. Kitts and Nevis	0.64
38	Slovak Republic	0.64
39	Antigua and Barbuda	0.64
40	Rwanda	0.64
41	Qatar	0.62
42	St. Vincent and the Grenadines	0.62
43	St. Lucia	0.62
44	Croatia	0.61
45	Romania	0.61
46	Namibia	0.61
47	Greece	0.60
48	Mauritius	0.60
49	Botswana	0.60
50	Grenada	0.59
51	The Bahamas	0.59
52	Kuwait	0.58
53	Malaysia	0.57
54	Dominica	0.57
55	Georgia	0.57
56	Jamaica	0.57
57	Montenegro	0.57
58	Senegal	0.56
59	Kosovo	0.56
60	South Africa	0.56
61	Jordan	0.55
62	Ghana	0.55
63	Bulgaria	0.55
64	Argentina	0.54
65	North Macedonia	0.54
66	Moldova	0.53
67	Kazakhstan	0.53
68	Mongolia	0.53
69	Malawi	0.52
70	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0.52
71	Nepal	0.52
72	Panama	0.52
73	Trinidad and Tobago	0.52
74	Sri Lanka	0.51
75	Indonesia	0.51
76	Brazil	0.51
77	Dominican Republic	0.50
78	Hungary	0.50
79	Uzbekistan	0.50
80	Thailand	0.50
81	Guyana	0.50
82	Vietnam	0.50
83	Suriname	0.50
84	Belize	0.49
85	Algeria	0.49
86	The Gambia	0.49
87	Ukraine	0.49
88	India	0.48
89	Tunisia	0.48
90	Morocco	0.48
91	Albania	0.48
92	China	0.48
93	Peru	0.47
94	Benin	0.47
95	Serbia	0.46
96	Colombia	0.46
97	Philippines	0.46
98	Paraguay	0.45
99	Kyrgyz Republic	0.45
100	Kenya	0.45
101	Burkina Faso	0.45
102	Ecuador	0.45
103	Liberia	0.45
104	Belarus	0.44
105	Tanzania	0.44
106	Guatemala	0.44
107	Côte d'Ivoire	0.44
108	Zambia	0.44
109	Lebanon	0.44
110	Sierra Leone	0.44
111	Madagascar	0.43
112	Togo	0.42
113	Angola	0.42
114	El Salvador	0.42
115	Honduras	0.41
116	Niger	0.41
117	Türkiye	0.41
118	Guinea	0.40
119	Gabon	0.40
120	Nigeria	0.40
121	Russian Federation	0.40
122	Zimbabwe	0.40
123	Bangladesh	0.39
124	Congo, Rep.	0.39
125	Mexico	0.39
126	Uganda	0.38
127	Mali	0.38
128	Iran, Islamic Rep.	0.37
129	Mozambique	0.37
130	Bolivia	0.37
131	Pakistan	0.36
132	Mauritania	0.36
133	Ethiopia	0.36
134	Cameroon	0.35
135	Egypt, Arab Rep.	0.35
136	Congo, Dem. Rep.	0.33
137	Myanmar	0.33
138	Sudan	0.33
139	Nicaragua	0.32
140	Cambodia	0.31
141	Haiti	0.31
142	Afghanistan	0.31
143	Venezuela, RB	0.26

Northern Europe dominates the top of the rankings, with Denmark (0.90), Norway (0.89), and Finland (0.87) taking the first three spots. At the opposite end, Venezuela (0.26), Afghanistan, and Haiti occupy the bottom three positions.

Why Is Rule of Law Declining Globally?

The following countries experienced the largest annual declines in their rule of law scores:

Rank	Country	Annual Change (%)
1	Haiti	-5.6%
2	Tanzania	-3.6%
3	Sudan	-2.8%
4	Mexico	-2.7%
5	Colombia	-2.5%
6	Nicaragua	-2.5%
7	Iran, Islamic Rep.	-2.3%
8	Indonesia	-2.3%
9	Ecuador	-2.2%
10	Pakistan	-2.1%

According to the World Justice Project, weakening checks on executive power, political interference in courts, and shrinking civic freedoms are contributing to the prolonged decline.

Freedom of expression deteriorated in 64% of countries, while freedom of assembly declined in 67%. These trends also threaten press freedom, limiting the ability of citizens and journalists to scrutinize governments.

Meanwhile, the following countries recorded the largest improvements:

Rank	Country	Annual Change (%)
1	Latvia	+1.6%
2	Trinidad and Tobago	+1.2%
3	Guatemala	+1.1%
4	Liberia	+0.9%
5	Croatia	+0.9%
6	St. Kitts and Nevis	+0.8%
7	Algeria	+0.8%
8	St. Vincent and the Grenadines	+0.8%
9	Zimbabwe	+0.7%
10	Bolivia	+0.7%

Latvia led with a 1.6% increase in its overall score, followed by Trinidad and Tobago (+1.2%) and Guatemala (+1.1%). Liberia and Croatia also registered gains of 0.9% each, showing that progress remains possible despite the broader global trend.

Why Is the U.S. Falling Behind Canada?

Canada ranks 13th globally with a score of 0.80, compared with the United States in 30th place at 0.67. The gap reflects differences in institutional checks, legal protections, and government accountability.

One of the weaker areas for the U.S. is fundamental rights, where it ranks 49th globally.

Separately, International IDEA reports that several American democracy indicators have reached 50-year lows. These institutional pressures also raise questions about public trust in news and information.

Europe Leads, While Asia and the Middle East Diverge

Northern and Western Europe generally maintain strong scores, reflecting established judicial oversight and institutional accountability.

Asia shows greater variation, with Singapore scoring 0.79 and Japan 0.78, compared with China’s 0.48. Similarly, the UAE scores 0.64, while Iran stands at 0.37. These differences illustrate the wide range of legal and institutional conditions within regions.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

Explore Visualizing Law and Order Around the World to discover how legal institutions and accountability compare across countries.

2026-11-12 23:58:43

How Public School Funding Compares Across U.S. States

Public schools across the United States receive an average of $21,065 in funding per student, but the amount varies considerably depending on where students live.

This map compares public school funding per student across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., using 2023–24 figures from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The figures measure revenue received from local, state, and federal sources rather than spending exclusively on classroom instruction.

The Northeast Leads in School Funding

The Northeast leads the nation in public school funding per student. New York tops the rankings at $37,469, followed by Washington, D.C. ($36,698), Vermont ($32,346), and New Jersey ($30,916).

Connecticut and Massachusetts also rank among the top six, highlighting the region’s concentration of well-funded public school systems.

At the other end, North Carolina received $13,227 per student, narrowly below Idaho ($13,319). This means New York received nearly three times as much funding per student as North Carolina.

The table below ranks U.S. states and Washington, D.C., by public school funding per student in 2024.

Rank	State or District	Public-school funding per student, $ (2024)
1	New York	37,469
2	D.C.	36,698
3	Vermont	32,346
4	New Jersey	30,916
5	Connecticut	28,075
6	Massachusetts	27,933
7	Hawaii	26,135
8	Illinois	26,107
9	New Hampshire	25,270
10	California	25,265
11	Pennsylvania	25,025
12	Rhode Island	24,706
13	Maryland	23,944
14	New Mexico	23,280
15	Wyoming	23,008
16	Maine	22,556
17	Delaware	22,207
18	Oregon	22,098
19	Washington	21,944
20	Alaska	21,927
21	Michigan	21,318
22	Minnesota	21,146
23	North Dakota	20,776
24	Ohio	19,930
25	Colorado	19,695
26	West Virginia	19,583
27	Virginia	19,333
28	Wisconsin	19,259
29	South Carolina	19,163
30	Louisiana	18,884
31	Nevada	18,619
32	Nebraska	18,541
33	Kansas	18,500
34	Georgia	18,497
35	Missouri	17,774
36	Alabama	17,408
37	Iowa	17,353
38	Indiana	17,113
39	Kentucky	16,976
40	Montana	16,813
41	Florida	16,653
42	South Dakota	16,476
43	Texas	16,159
44	Arkansas	15,555
45	Tennessee	15,440
46	Mississippi	15,256
47	Arizona	15,211
48	Oklahoma	14,244
49	Utah	14,095
50	Idaho	13,319
51	North Carolina	13,227
--	U.S. average	21,065

Funding differences are also substantial among the nation’s most populous states. California received $25,265 per student, roughly $9,100 more than Texas and $8,600 more than Florida.

Higher funding does not necessarily translate into proportionately greater resources, however. Regional differences in wages and purchasing power affect how far education dollars go. Several Northeastern states also rank among the best-performing states in education, although funding alone does not explain those outcomes.

The Importance of Property Tax

School funding depends heavily on decisions made close to home. State and local sources supplied over 88% of public school revenue nationwide in 2023–24, with federal funding providing the remainder.

Local funding relies substantially on property taxes. Districts with more valuable homes and commercial property can raise more money at the same tax rate than districts with smaller tax bases. State aid formulas often aim to narrow this gap by directing more support toward districts with less capacity to raise revenue.

States also make choices about which students need additional resources. California, for example, provides supplemental funding for English learners, students from low-income families, and foster youth, with additional funding where those students represent a large share of enrollment. As a result, statewide averages can conceal substantial differences between districts.

What School Funding Actually Pays For

Education is labor-intensive. Salaries and employee benefits accounted for 77% of day-to-day public school spending in 2023–24. These expenses support teachers, classroom aides, counselors, bus drivers, maintenance staff, and other school employees.

The cost of providing these services varies by location. Schools operate in different labor markets, and regional wage differences affect how much funding is needed to hire staff. A larger budget in a high-cost area does not necessarily translate into a proportionately larger workforce.

Student needs and geography also influence costs. Special education, language support, and transportation can require additional resources, while small or isolated districts have fewer students over whom to spread fixed expenses. Understanding whether funding is sufficient therefore requires considering the services schools must provide, alongside the dollars they receive.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about Americans’ views on federal education policy, check out 2/3 of Americans Say Hands Off the Department of Education on Voronoi.

2026-11-12 22:09:00

How Much Does It Cost to Fuel America’s Most Popular Vehicles?

A vehicle’s sticker price is only part of what drivers pay over time. Fuel efficiency and powertrain choice can make a significant difference in ongoing expenses, even between versions of the same model.

This visualization compares the estimated monthly fuel and electricity costs of 30 versions of popular U.S. vehicles, including pickup trucks, SUVs, sedans, and electric cars.

The figures come from Kadoa, using underlying information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Energy Information Administration, and Cox Automotive.

The calculations assume 900 miles of driving per month, using U.S. gasoline prices as of October 19, 2026, and electricity rates from August 2026. Electric vehicle costs assume home charging.

Pickup Trucks Have the Highest Fuel Costs

Diesel-powered pickup trucks top the ranking, with the Chevrolet Silverado having the highest estimated monthly fuel cost at $245, followed closely by the GMC Sierra at $240. The gasoline-powered Ford F-Series ranks third at $203 per month.

Larger pickup trucks tend to have higher fuel costs because of their weight, size, and fuel consumption. The estimates also highlight differences between powertrains, with the hybrid Ford F-Series costing $39 less per month than its gasoline counterpart.

Hybrids Offer Significant Savings Over Gasoline Models

Comparing gasoline and hybrid versions of the same model reveals some of the clearest savings. The Ford Maverick’s estimated monthly fuel cost falls from $157 for gasoline to $104 for the hybrid, a difference of $53 per month or $636 a year.

The hybrid Kia Sportage costs $101 per month versus $148 for its gasoline counterpart, while the Honda Civic hybrid comes in at $79 versus $113.

While hybrid versions generally carry a higher upfront purchase price, their improved fuel efficiency can help offset that premium over time, particularly for drivers covering more miles.

Electric Vehicles Have the Lowest Monthly Energy Costs

Electric vehicles occupy all six of the cheapest positions in the dataset, with estimated monthly charging costs ranging from $43 to $70. The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y tie for the lowest figure at $43 each, followed by the Toyota bZ at $44.

These figures reflect energy expenses rather than total vehicle ownership costs. Purchase prices, insurance, maintenance, and charging arrangements can all affect the overall economics of owning an electric vehicle. Drivers who rely on public fast charging may also face higher electricity costs than those assumed in this comparison.

Which Cars Are Leading U.S. Sales?

Despite their higher fuel costs, pickup trucks remain among America’s best-selling vehicles.

According to GoodCarBadCar, the Ford F-Series led U.S. sales with approximately 562,000 units sold through September 2026, followed by the Chevrolet Silverado at 423,000 and the Honda CR-V at 337,000.

In the electric vehicle market, the Tesla Model Y maintained a substantial lead, with an estimated 262,491 U.S. sales, more than double the Model 3’s 106,962, according to Car and Driver.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Ranked: Cars That Hold and Lose Their Value the Most on Voronoi.

2026-11-12 20:04:56

How Government Debt Compares Around the World in 2026

Government borrowing has climbed to historic levels, with rising interest costs and mounting spending pressures putting public finances under strain. While the world’s largest economies account for much of the total, debt burdens relative to economic output tell a different story.

This graphic breaks down projected government debt by country in 2026, based on the International Monetary Fund’s October 2026 World Economic Outlook. Figures represent general government gross debt, including liabilities across different levels of government.

Government Debt by Country in 2026

The table below ranks countries by their projected government debt in U.S. dollars, with debt-to-GDP ratios providing a measure of each country’s debt burden relative to its economy.

Rank	Country	Value of Debt (Billions $)	Debt-to-GDP (2026)
1	U.S.	41,391	126.8%
2	China	22,494	104.4%
3	Japan	8,658	199.4%
4	UK	4,354	102.0%
5	France	4,212	118.5%
6	Italy	3,726	137.9%
7	Germany	3,534	64.6%
8	India	3,374	83.1%
9	Canada	2,879	115.6%
10	Brazil	2,575	97.0%
11	Spain	2,035	97.6%
12	Mexico	1,351	62.1%
13	Singapore	1,111	166.4%
14	Australia	1,110	52.6%
15	South Korea	1,062	47.3%
16	Belgium	848	109.8%
17	Poland	755	66.6%
18	Netherlands	646	45.4%
19	Indonesia	617	41.7%
20	Russia	552	19.3%
21	Argentina	532	69.3%
22	Israel	514	68.8%
23	Austria	508	82.4%
24	Saudi Arabia	476	35.4%
25	Switzerland	435	38.3%
26	Greece	414	136.0%
27	Türkiye	409	22.5%
28	Thailand	403	67.2%
29	South Africa	381	78.0%
30	Malaysia	379	69.2%
31	Egypt	372	84.0%
32	Colombia	341	59.5%
33	Portugal	319	85.1%
34	Pakistan	314	69.8%
35	Finland	307	90.6%
36	Philippines	304	60.5%
37	Romania	294	62.6%
38	Sweden	262	35.1%
39	Norway	261	40.0%
40	Ukraine	256	111.8%
41	Ireland	238	33.5%
42	UAE	217	32.8%
43	Taiwan	215	21.1%
44	Hungary	209	78.7%
45	Bangladesh	205	40.5%
46	Czechia	196	45.8%
47	Iraq	174	71.1%
48	Chile	172	42.8%
49	Algeria	172	51.8%
50	New Zealand	156	57.1%
51	Vietnam	153	28.3%
52	Nigeria	134	34.6%
53	Denmark	132	26.4%
54	Morocco	130	66.6%
55	Iran	122	39.1%
56	Peru	114	28.6%
57	Kenya	110	72.9%
58	Sri Lanka	105	95.2%
59	Slovakia	104	62.2%
60	Sudan	103	334.4%
61	Kazakhstan	95	23.8%
62	Qatar	94	46.4%
63	Dominican Republic	83	57.2%
64	Angola	81	51.5%
65	Bahrain	75	162.8%
66	Libya	71	125.2%
67	Costa Rica	71	61.8%
68	Ecuador	71	54.5%
69	Ghana	67	51.7%
70	Croatia	65	56.3%
71	Uruguay	64	67.7%
72	Hong Kong SAR	64	14.1%
73	Côte d'Ivoire	64	57.8%
74	Slovenia	56	63.5%
75	Panama	54	56.4%
76	Tunisia	54	86.1%
77	Bolivia	54	100.2%
78	Jordan	54	82.5%
79	Ethiopia	52	40.7%
80	Uzbekistan	49	27.6%
81	Bulgaria	48	32.9%
82	Lebanon	48	139.4%
83	Serbia	48	42.9%
84	Lithuania	47	44.7%
85	Tanzania	46	48.1%
86	Myanmar	44	53.3%
87	Uganda	40	55.1%
88	Kuwait	39	26.6%
89	Oman	38	31.1%
90	Guatemala	36	27.5%
91	Zambia	35	82.1%
92	Belarus	34	31.1%
93	El Salvador	33	85.0%
94	Luxembourg	31	28.5%
95	DR Congo	29	23.7%
96	Cameroon	26	40.1%
97	Latvia	25	47.0%
98	Puerto Rico	24	18.2%
99	Paraguay	23	36.6%
100	Iceland	23	54.6%
101	Cyprus	23	51.4%
102	Trinidad and Tobago	23	84.6%
103	Mozambique	23	91.0%
104	Nepal	23	49.4%
105	Zimbabwe	22	33.5%
106	Gabon	22	83.7%
107	Honduras	18	44.0%
108	Papua New Guinea	17	46.8%
109	Burkina Faso	17	51.0%
110	Albania	16	49.7%
111	Benin	16	58.1%
112	Armenia	16	48.1%
113	Guinea	16	34.8%
114	Republic of the Congo	15	80.5%
115	Jamaica	15	64.3%
116	Mauritius	15	87.6%
117	Azerbaijan	15	16.5%
118	Laos	15	79.8%
119	Georgia	15	33.1%
120	Malawi	14	78.0%
121	Malta	14	46.4%
122	Estonia	14	27.5%
123	Mali	14	39.7%
124	Mongolia	14	44.1%
125	Cambodia	14	25.1%
126	Bahamas	13	70.2%
127	Namibia	12	67.5%
128	Rwanda	12	63.4%
129	Bosnia and Herzegovina	12	31.4%
130	North Macedonia	11	53.8%
131	Niger	11	46.3%
132	Maldives	11	130.7%
133	Madagascar	10	49.8%
134	Guyana	10	25.3%
135	West Bank and Gaza	10	55.9%
136	Moldova	9	41.8%
137	Kyrgyz Republic	9	34.0%
138	Botswana	9	40.3%
139	Togo	9	64.7%
140	Nicaragua	8	31.7%
141	Chad	8	31.1%
142	Barbados	8	93.8%
143	Montenegro	7	66.8%
144	Mauritania	5	38.3%
145	Fiji	5	78.9%
146	Suriname	5	85.1%
147	Equatorial Guinea	5	32.9%
148	Bhutan	5	116.2%
149	Sierra Leone	4	50.1%
150	Haiti	4	10.5%
151	Tajikistan	4	18.3%
152	Cabo Verde	4	109.9%
153	South Sudan	3	43.2%
154	Eswatini	3	52.5%
155	Liberia	3	54.0%
156	Burundi	3	40.4%
157	Aruba	3	59.6%
158	Kosovo	3	18.1%
159	Turkmenistan	2	2.9%
160	Belize	2	64.6%
161	Central African Republic	2	43.5%
162	Guinea-Bissau	2	73.9%
163	Saint Lucia	2	78.1%
164	Gambia	2	67.4%
165	Antigua and Barbuda	2	66.8%
166	Lesotho	1	47.5%
167	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	1	111.6%
168	Djibouti	1	28.7%
169	San Marino	1	56.8%
170	Andorra	1	27.8%
171	Seychelles	1	52.7%
172	Grenada	1	66.8%
173	Dominica	1	99.7%
174	Saint Kitts and Nevis	1	65.1%
175	São Tomé and Príncipe	1	55.9%
176	Comoros	1	34.7%
177	Solomon Islands	1	32.1%
178	Vanuatu	1	36.6%
179	Timor-Leste	0.3	13.9%
180	Samoa	0.3	18.6%
181	Brunei Darussalam	0.2	1.3%
182	Palau	0.2	53.8%
183	Tonga	0.2	24.0%
184	Liechtenstein	0.05	0.5%
185	Marshall Islands	0.05	13.9%
186	Micronesia	0.04	7.7%
187	Kiribati	0.03	7.7%
188	Naoero	0.01	2.6%
189	Tuvalu	0.00	2.5%
190	Macao SAR	0.00	0.0%

U.S. and China Hold Over Half of Global Government Debt

The U.S. leads with $41.4 trillion in government debt, representing roughly one-third of the worldwide total.

Over the past decade, the U.S. debt burden has climbed from 107.5% of GDP in 2016 to 126.8% in 2026, as government borrowing has outpaced economic growth. The cost of servicing that debt is also mounting. In fiscal 2026, federal net interest payments reached $1.1 trillion, exceeding military spending by $225 billion.

China ranks second at $22.5 trillion, with government debt projected to surpass 100% of GDP for the first time.

Unlike the U.S., a central source of China’s fiscal pressure is its local government financing system. For years, local authorities relied on borrowing and land-sale revenues to fund infrastructure and development. The property downturn has weakened this revenue model, increasing pressure on public finances.

Despite their different fiscal challenges, both countries illustrate how rising government borrowing is reshaping public finances in the world’s two largest economies.

Which Countries Owe More Than Their Economies Produce?

The countries with the largest debt totals are not necessarily those carrying the heaviest debt burdens. Measured against economic output, government debt is projected to exceed 100% of GDP in 20 economies in 2026, ranging from major industrialized nations to smaller developing economies.

Sudan has the world’s highest debt-to-GDP ratio at 334.4%, followed by Japan at 199.4%. France (118.5%) and Canada (115.6%) also have debt exceeding their annual economic output, while Bolivia sits just above the threshold at 100.2%.

But even countries below this threshold can face considerable financial pressure. Interest costs exceed public spending on health care or education in 51 developing countries, which together are home to 3.7 billion people.

Looking ahead, the IMF projects that global government debt will surpass 100% of GDP by 2030, reaching a level last seen shortly after World War II.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic ranking countries by government debt per person.

2026-11-12 01:12:22

How Democratic Are Countries Around the World?

After eight consecutive years of decline, global democracy scores edged upward in 2025, but the modest improvement masks significant changes across individual countries.

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index evaluates 167 countries and territories based on elections, government functioning, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties. The latest results reveal where democratic institutions are strengthening and where they remain under pressure.

Which Countries Are the Most Democratic?

The following table ranks countries by their 2025 Democracy Index scores, according to the EIU.

Rank	Country	Score (2025)	EIU category
1	Norway	9.81	Full democracy
2	New Zealand	9.62	Full democracy
3	Denmark	9.42	Full democracy
4	Iceland	9.38	Full democracy
5	Finland	9.37	Full democracy
6	Sweden	9.35	Full democracy
7	Ireland	9.33	Full democracy
8	Switzerland	9.32	Full democracy
9	Canada	9.08	Full democracy
10	Luxembourg	9.08	Full democracy
11	Netherlands	8.93	Full democracy
12	Uruguay	8.92	Full democracy
13	Australia	8.85	Full democracy
14	Japan	8.85	Full democracy
15	Taiwan	8.78	Full democracy
16	Germany	8.73	Full democracy
17	Austria	8.42	Full democracy
18	United Kingdom	8.34	Full democracy
19	Costa Rica	8.29	Full democracy
20	Portugal	8.28	Full democracy
21	Mauritius	8.23	Full democracy
22	Spain	8.20	Full democracy
23	Czechia	8.15	Full democracy
24	Estonia	8.07	Full democracy
25	Greece	8.07	Full democracy
26	France	8.05	Full democracy
27	Chile	7.97	Flawed democracy
28	Malta	7.93	Flawed democracy
29	Slovenia	7.82	Flawed democracy
30	Israel	7.80	Flawed democracy
31	Belgium	7.77	Flawed democracy
32	South Korea	7.75	Flawed democracy
33	Latvia	7.73	Flawed democracy
34	Poland	7.65	Flawed democracy
35	United States	7.65	Flawed democracy
36	Botswana	7.63	Flawed democracy
37	Cape Verde	7.58	Flawed democracy
38	Italy	7.58	Flawed democracy
39	Lithuania	7.55	Flawed democracy
40	Cyprus	7.45	Flawed democracy
41	South Africa	7.16	Flawed democracy
42	Malaysia	7.11	Flawed democracy
43	Trinidad and Tobago	7.09	Flawed democracy
44	Panama	7.04	Flawed democracy
45	Suriname	7.03	Flawed democracy
46	Timor-Leste	6.97	Flawed democracy
47	India	6.96	Flawed democracy
48	Slovakia	6.94	Flawed democracy
49	Argentina	6.89	Flawed democracy
50	Brazil	6.76	Flawed democracy
51	Dominican Republic	6.75	Flawed democracy
52	Jamaica	6.74	Flawed democracy
53	Montenegro	6.73	Flawed democracy
54	Thailand	6.59	Flawed democracy
55	Hungary	6.58	Flawed democracy
56	Sri Lanka	6.57	Flawed democracy
57	Croatia	6.50	Flawed democracy
58	Mongolia	6.50	Flawed democracy
59	Namibia	6.48	Flawed democracy
60	Indonesia	6.37	Flawed democracy
61	Bulgaria	6.34	Flawed democracy
62	Philippines	6.31	Flawed democracy
63	Serbia	6.30	Flawed democracy
64	North Macedonia	6.28	Flawed democracy
65	Ghana	6.24	Flawed democracy
66	Lesotho	6.23	Flawed democracy
67	Albania	6.20	Flawed democracy
68	Singapore	6.18	Flawed democracy
69	Romania	6.11	Flawed democracy
70	Malawi	6.10	Flawed democracy
71	Guyana	6.09	Flawed democracy
72	Senegal	6.05	Flawed democracy
73	Colombia	6.04	Flawed democracy
74	Paraguay	6.04	Flawed democracy
75	Papua New Guinea	5.90	Hybrid regime
76	Peru	5.88	Hybrid regime
77	Moldova	5.86	Hybrid regime
78	Zambia	5.82	Hybrid regime
79	Bhutan	5.65	Hybrid regime
80	Liberia	5.57	Hybrid regime
81	Mexico	5.40	Hybrid regime
82	Fiji	5.39	Hybrid regime
83	Bolivia	5.38	Hybrid regime
84	Armenia	5.35	Hybrid regime
85	Bosnia and Herzegovina	5.23	Hybrid regime
86	Ecuador	5.20	Hybrid regime
87	Tanzania	5.13	Hybrid regime
88	Madagascar	5.06	Hybrid regime
89	Kenya	5.05	Hybrid regime
90	Hong Kong	5.03	Hybrid regime
91	Morocco	4.97	Hybrid regime
92	Honduras	4.87	Hybrid regime
93	Ukraine	4.79	Hybrid regime
94	Guatemala	4.65	Hybrid regime
95	Tunisia	4.65	Hybrid regime
96	El Salvador	4.57	Hybrid regime
97	Gambia	4.47	Hybrid regime
98	Sierra Leone	4.44	Hybrid regime
99	Georgia	4.36	Hybrid regime
100	Uganda	4.31	Hybrid regime
101	Bangladesh	4.27	Hybrid regime
102	Benin	4.26	Hybrid regime
103	Turkey	4.26	Hybrid regime
104	Ivory Coast	4.24	Hybrid regime
105	Nigeria	4.10	Hybrid regime
106	Nepal	4.01	Hybrid regime
107	Angola	3.94	Authoritarian
108	Mauritania	3.84	Authoritarian
109	Lebanon	3.81	Authoritarian
110	Algeria	3.55	Authoritarian
111	Gabon	3.49	Authoritarian
112	Palestine	3.44	Authoritarian
113	Mozambique	3.38	Authoritarian
114	Rwanda	3.34	Authoritarian
115	Jordan	3.28	Authoritarian
116	Kyrgyzstan	3.27	Authoritarian
117	United Arab Emirates	3.18	Authoritarian
118	Qatar	3.17	Authoritarian
119	Ethiopia	3.13	Authoritarian
120	Iraq	3.13	Authoritarian
121	Oman	3.05	Authoritarian
122	Zimbabwe	2.98	Authoritarian
123	Kazakhstan	2.91	Authoritarian
124	Togo	2.88	Authoritarian
125	Comoros	2.81	Authoritarian
126	Haiti	2.81	Authoritarian
127	Azerbaijan	2.80	Authoritarian
128	Egypt	2.79	Authoritarian
129	Republic of the Congo	2.79	Authoritarian
130	Kuwait	2.78	Authoritarian
131	Cambodia	2.70	Authoritarian
132	Djibouti	2.70	Authoritarian
133	Vietnam	2.62	Authoritarian
134	Eswatini	2.60	Authoritarian
135	Cuba	2.58	Authoritarian
136	Cameroon	2.56	Authoritarian
137	Burkina Faso	2.55	Authoritarian
138	Bahrain	2.45	Authoritarian
139	Pakistan	2.44	Authoritarian
140	Mali	2.40	Authoritarian
141	Libya	2.31	Authoritarian
142	China	2.24	Authoritarian
143	Guinea	2.15	Authoritarian
144	Burundi	2.13	Authoritarian
145	Venezuela	2.13	Authoritarian
146	Uzbekistan	2.10	Authoritarian
147	Saudi Arabia	2.08	Authoritarian
148	Russia	2.03	Authoritarian
149	Belarus	1.99	Authoritarian
150	Eritrea	1.97	Authoritarian
151	Nicaragua	1.97	Authoritarian
152	Iran	1.96	Authoritarian
153	Niger	1.95	Authoritarian
154	Yemen	1.95	Authoritarian
155	Tajikistan	1.94	Authoritarian
156	DR Congo	1.92	Authoritarian
157	Equatorial Guinea	1.92	Authoritarian
158	Chad	1.76	Authoritarian
159	Laos	1.71	Authoritarian
160	Turkmenistan	1.54	Authoritarian
161	Sudan	1.46	Authoritarian
162	Guinea-Bissau	1.37	Authoritarian
163	Syria	1.37	Authoritarian
164	Central African Republic	1.18	Authoritarian
165	North Korea	1.08	Authoritarian
166	Myanmar	0.96	Authoritarian
167	Afghanistan	0.25	Authoritarian

Nordic countries dominate the top of the rankings, with Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Iceland all placing among the world’s six highest-scoring democracies. New Zealand ranks second globally, while Canada and Luxembourg round out the top 10.

At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan scores just 0.25 out of 10. Overall, only 15.6% of countries and territories qualify as full democracies, compared with 36.5% classified as authoritarian.

The global average edged upward from 5.17 to 5.19. However, Freedom House recorded its 20th consecutive year of declining global freedom, highlighting continued threats to civil liberties.

Which Countries Experienced the Biggest Democratic Declines?

The table below shows the 10 largest score decreases between 2024 and 2025.

Rank	Country	Score 2024	Score 2025	Change (index points)
1	Guinea-Bissau	2.03	1.37	-0.66
2	Nepal	4.60	4.01	-0.59
3	Pakistan	2.84	2.44	-0.40
4	Georgia	4.70	4.36	-0.34
5	India	7.29	6.96	-0.33
6	Philippines	6.63	6.31	-0.32
7	Colombia	6.35	6.04	-0.31
8	Niger	2.26	1.95	-0.31
9	Madagascar	5.33	5.06	-0.27
10	Slovakia	7.21	6.94	-0.27

Guinea-Bissau recorded the steepest decline (-0.66), followed by Nepal (-0.59) and Pakistan (-0.40). India also fell by 0.33 points, bringing its score below 7.0, while the Philippines and Colombia registered notable declines.

Guinea-Bissau’s sharp deterioration followed a November 2025 military coup that disrupted elections and undermined civilian rule. Nepal’s political upheaval and Pakistan’s continuing military influence also exposed institutional weaknesses, while restrictions on political opposition and civil liberties contributed to broader democratic backsliding.

Where Did Democracy Improve the Most?

The following table highlights the 10 largest improvements recorded by the EIU.

Rank	Country	Score 2024	Score 2025	Change (index points)
1	Gabon	2.18	3.49	+1.31
2	Bolivia	4.26	5.38	+1.12
3	Canada	8.69	9.08	+0.39
4	Argentina	6.51	6.89	+0.38
5	Sri Lanka	6.19	6.57	+0.38
6	Japan	8.48	8.85	+0.37
7	Iraq	2.80	3.13	+0.33
8	Thailand	6.27	6.59	+0.32
9	Brazil	6.49	6.76	+0.27
10	Lebanon	3.56	3.81	+0.25

Gabon recorded the largest gain (+1.31), followed by Bolivia (+1.12). Canada also improved by 0.39 points, climbing into the global top 10. Nevertheless, Gabon remains classified as authoritarian despite its substantial improvement.

Gabon’s gains followed its April 2025 presidential election, which marked a transition away from direct military rule, although significant democratic constraints remain. Bolivia’s improvement reflected competitive elections and a peaceful transfer of power, demonstrating how political transitions can strengthen democratic institutions even after prolonged instability.

Why Is American Democracy Declining?

The United States dropped six places to 34th globally, with its Democracy Index score falling from 7.85 to 7.65, its lowest level since the index began in 2006, according to Pew Research Center.

The decline puts the U.S. well behind neighboring Canada, which scored 9.08. The two countries now sit in different categories: Canada is classified as a full democracy, while the U.S. remains a flawed democracy.

The deterioration reflects concerns about executive power, weakened institutional checks, and civil liberties. The V-Dem Institute also identifies significant democratic backsliding in America, raising questions about Washington’s ability to champion democratic institutions internationally.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

For another perspective on democratic institutions, explore Satisfaction with Democracy Declined in High-Income Nations on Voronoi.

2026-11-11 23:41:10

Where Americans Are Paying Off Their Mortgages

Roughly two in five owner-occupied homes in the U.S. are owned free and clear. In some states, more than half of homeowners have no mortgage at all.

This map shows the share of owner-occupied homes without a mortgage in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., using the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2025 American Community Survey. Mortgage-free homes have no mortgage, home equity loan, or similar debt secured by the property.

West Virginia Has the Highest Share of Paid-Off Homes

West Virginia leads with 56.6% of owner-occupied homes mortgage-free, 3.9 percentage points ahead of Mississippi at 52.7%. They are the only two states where more than half of owner-occupied homes have no mortgage.

Lower home prices may help explain part of the difference. The median owner-occupied home in West Virginia is worth about $176,000, less than a quarter of California’s $771,000. In California, just 34.4% of owner-occupied homes are mortgage-free.

Here are all 50 states and Washington, D.C., ranked by the share of owner-occupied homes without a mortgage in 2025:

Rank	State or District	Mortgage-Free Owner-Occupied Homes, 2025 (%)
1	West Virginia	56.6
2	Mississippi	52.7
3	New Mexico	50.0
4	Louisiana	49.1
5	North Dakota	48.9
6	Oklahoma	48.6
7	South Dakota	48.4
8	Arkansas	47.3
9	Alabama	46.7
10	Kentucky	46.2
11	Montana	46.1
12	Florida	45.3
13	Texas	44.7
14	Kansas	44.7
15	Wyoming	44.5
16	New York	44.4
17	Maine	44.2
18	Tennessee	44.1
19	Pennsylvania	44.0
20	Alaska	43.8
21	South Carolina	43.8
22	Michigan	43.4
23	Vermont	43.4
24	Nebraska	42.4
25	Iowa	42.2
26	Missouri	41.4
27	Wisconsin	41.3
28	Ohio	41.3
29	Hawaii	40.6
30	Illinois	40.5
31	New Hampshire	40.5
32	North Carolina	39.8
33	Idaho	39.5
34	Indiana	38.9
35	Arizona	38.7
36	Georgia	38.5
37	Delaware	38.2
38	Oregon	37.8
39	New Jersey	37.5
40	Minnesota	37.4
41	Connecticut	37.1
42	Washington	36.1
43	Rhode Island	35.9
44	Nevada	35.9
45	Massachusetts	35.2
46	Virginia	34.8
47	California	34.4
48	Utah	33.2
49	Colorado	31.6
50	Maryland	30.6
51	District of Columbia	26.5
--	U.S. Average	41.0

Seven of the top 10 states are in the South. The Census Bureau also found that rural counties were more likely than urban counties to have high shares of mortgage-free homes, based on its 2024 five-year estimates.

Maryland has the lowest share among states, at 30.6%, while Washington, D.C., is lower still at 26.5%. Both have relatively expensive housing: typical home values reached about $428,000 in Maryland and $570,000 in D.C. in August 2026, compared with $369,000 nationally.

Higher home prices generally mean larger loans for buyers making the same percentage down payment, potentially making it harder to pay off a mortgage.

Older Homeowners Are Far More Likely to Be Mortgage-Free

Nationally, about 64% of homeowners age 65 and older own their homes free and clear, compared with 20% of homeowners under 35.

Older homeowners have had decades to pay down their loans. With a typical fixed-rate mortgage, early payments go largely toward interest, while later payments increasingly reduce the principal. This gives long-established owners an advantage over recent buyers.

Owning a home outright can also make retirement more affordable by eliminating monthly mortgage payments. The Federal Reserve finds that even among lower-income adults, older people are much more likely to own their homes outright.

However, mortgage-free doesn’t mean housing-cost-free. In 2025, median monthly owner costs were $703 for homes without a mortgage, compared with $2,163 for those with one. Even homeowners who have paid off their loans must still cover property taxes, insurance, utilities, and other expenses.

Still, eliminating a monthly mortgage payment can make a substantial difference to household finances, particularly for retirees living on fixed incomes.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Why Can’t Americans Pay Their Mortgage? on Voronoi.