Most Authoritarian Countries, 2023

In 2023, Myanmar was ranked as the second most authoritarian country in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) annual Democracy Index report. The index, which measures the state of democracy across the globe, places countries into four categories based on their scores: full democracy (8-10 points), flawed democracy (6-8 points), hybrid regime (4-6 points), and authoritarian regime (0-4 points). The countries with the lowest scores fall into the authoritarian regime category, marking them as the most repressive.

Afghanistan topped the list as the most authoritarian country in 2023, with an abysmal democracy index score of just 0.26 points. This score reflects the ongoing turmoil and lack of political freedom in the country. Myanmar followed closely behind with a score of 0.85 points, solidifying its position as the second most authoritarian regime in the world. The country has faced severe political instability and human rights issues since the military coup in 2021, leading to its extremely low ranking.

North Korea, notorious for its closed-off and highly controlled regime, ranked third with a democracy index score of 1.08 points. Other countries in the top 10 include the Central African Republic, Syria, Turkmenistan, Chad, DR Congo, Laos, and Sudan, all of which have democracy index scores ranging from 1.18 to 1.76 points.

These rankings highlight the challenges many countries face in establishing or maintaining democratic systems, with authoritarian regimes continuing to suppress political freedoms and civil liberties around the world. The EIU's report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles for democracy in many parts of the globe.