Democracy in Latin America and the
September 27, 2023
Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Carla Y. Davis-Castro
This report provides a regional snapshot of the state of democracy in Latin America and the
Senior Research Librarian
Caribbean, based on selected nongovernmental indices that measure democracy worldwide.

Using tables and graphs to illustrate regional trends, this report provides a snapshot of democracy
indicators from the following sources: (1) Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2022 Bertelsmann

Transformation Index (BTI); (2) the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU’s) Democracy Index
2022; (3) Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2023; and (4) the Varieties of Democracy Institute’s (V-Dem’s) Liberal
Democracy Index in its Democracy Report 2023. Additional resources appear at the end of the report.
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Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Democracy Indices and Source Notes ............................................................................................. 1
Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI) ................................................................................. 2
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)’s Democracy Index ............................................................ 4
Freedom House’s Freedom in the World ................................................................................... 6
Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem)’s Liberal Democracy Index ................................... 8
Compilation of Democracy Indicators .......................................................................................... 10
Selected Resources ........................................................................................................................ 18

Figures
Figure 1. BTI's 2022

Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices

Updated April 25, 2025 (R46016) Jump to Main Text of Report

Contents

• Introduction
• Democracy Indices and Source Notes
• Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI)
• Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)'s Democracy Index
• Freedom House's Freedom in the World
• Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem)'s Liberal Democracy Index
• Compilation of Democracy Indicators
• Selected Resources

Figures

Figure 1. BTI's 2024 Political Transformation Global Ranking of Latin American and Caribbean Countries

Figure 2. EIU's Democracy Index 2024 Political Transformation Global Ranking of Latin American and
Caribbean Countries ..................................................................................................................... 3
Figure 2. EIU’s Democracy Index 2022 Global Ranking for Latin American and
Caribbean Countries ..................................................................................................................... 5
Global Ranking for Latin American and Caribbean Countries Figure 3. Freedom House’'s Freedom in the World 20232025 Aggregate Scores for Latin
American and Caribbean Countries ............................................................................................. 7
Figure 4. V-Dem’ Figure 4. V-Dem's Democracy Report 20232025's Liberal Democracy Index Rank for Latin
American and Caribbean Countries ............................................................................................. 9

Tables

Tables

Table 1. Caribbean: 2022 Democracy Rankings ............................................................................ 11
2024 Democracy Rankings Table 2. Mexico and Central America: 20222024 Democracy Rankings.............................................. 14
Table 3. South America: 2022 Democracy Rankings .................................................................... 16
Table 4. Selected Resources for Democracy Indicators ................................................................ 18

Contacts
Author Information ........................................................................................................................ 19
Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................... 19
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Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices

Introduction
2024 Democracy Rankings

Table 4. Selected Resources for Democracy Indicators

Summary

This report provides a regional snapshot of the state of democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean, based on selected nongovernmental indices that measure democracy worldwide. Using tables and graphs to illustrate regional trends, this report provides a snapshot of democracy indicators from the following sources: (1) Bertelsmann Stiftung's 2024 Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI); (2) the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU's) Democracy Index 2024; (3) Freedom House's Freedom in the World 2025; and (4) the Varieties of Democracy Institute's (V-Dem's) Liberal Democracy Index in its Democracy Report 2025. Additional resources appear at the end of the report.

Introduction

For decades, U.S. policy has broadly reflected the view that the spread of democracy around the For decades, U.S. policy has broadly reflected the view that the spread of democracy around the
world is favorable to U.S. interests. The current trajectory of democracy around the world is an world is favorable to U.S. interests. The current trajectory of democracy around the world is an
issue of interest for Congress, which has generally supported U.S. democracy promotion efforts. issue of interest for Congress, which has generally supported U.S. democracy promotion efforts.
This report provides a regional snapshot of the state of democracy in Latin America and the This report provides a regional snapshot of the state of democracy in Latin America and the
Caribbean based on selected nongovernmental Caribbean based on selected nongovernmental (NGOorganizations' (NGOs') indices that measure democracy ) indices that measure democracy
worldwide.worldwide.
For additional information on democracy in the global context, see For additional information on democracy in the global context, see the following products:CRS Report CRS Report R45344, Global
Trends in Democracy: Background, U.S. Policy, and IssuesR47890, Democracy and Human Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy: Evolution, Tools, and Considerations for Congress, by Michael A. Weber.

CRS In Focus IF10795, Global Human Rights: The Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, by Michael A. Weber.

[Archived] CRS Report R45344, Global Trends in Democracy: Background, U.S. Policy, and Issues for Congress, by Michael A. Weber.

For related information about democracy in Latin American for Congress, by Michael A. Weber.
For related information about democracy in Latin American and the Caribbean, see the following
products:
• CRS Report R46781, Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy and Key
Issues in the 117th Congress, coordinated by Mark P. Sullivan;
• CRS Report R47331, U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America and the
Caribbean: FY2023 Appropriations, by Peter J. Meyer
• CRS In Focus IF12031, Anti-corruption Efforts in Latin America and the
Caribbean, by June S. Beittel and Rachel L. Martin
• and the Caribbean, see the following products:

CRS Report R48266, U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean: FY2025 Appropriations, by Peter J. Meyer.

CRS Report 98-684, CRS Report 98-684, Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders
and Elections, by Carla Y. Davis-Castro, by Carla Y. Davis-Castro
.CRS also publishes reports on specific Latin American and Caribbean countries.CRS also publishes reports on specific Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Democracy Indices and Source Notes
This report compiles information from the U.S. Department of State and data from This report compiles information from the U.S. Department of State and data from four
nongovernmental (NGO)the most recent findings of four NGOs' democracy indices, which are each discussed briefly below. indices, which are each discussed briefly below. Findings from these indices cover developments during calendar year 2024 or earlier and do not reflect more recent events. CRS does not endorse CRS does not endorse
the methodology or accuracy of any particular democracy indexthe methodology or accuracy of any particular democracy index. Findings and scores for particular countries may vary across indices for a variety of reasons, including differing coverage periods, methodologies, and subjective expert assessments. (For a discussion about . (For a discussion about
definitions of democracy and critiques of democracy indices, see CRS Report R45344, definitions of democracy and critiques of democracy indices, see CRS Report R45344, Global
Trends in Democracy: Background, U.S. Policy, and Issues for Congress, by Michael A. Weber.), by Michael A. Weber.)
The following indices are discussed below: (1) Bertelsmann StiftungThe following indices are discussed below: (1) Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2022's 2024 Bertelsmann Bertelsmann
Transformation Index (BTI); (2) the Economist Intelligence UnitTransformation Index (BTI); (2) the Economist Intelligence Unit’'s (EIUs (EIU’'s) s) Democracy Index
20222024; (3) Freedom House; (3) Freedom House’'s s Freedom in the World 20232025; and (4) the Varieties of Democracy ; and (4) the Varieties of Democracy
Institute’Institute's (V-DEMs (V-DEM’'s) Liberal Democracy Index in its s) Liberal Democracy Index in its Democracy Report 2023.


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2025. Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI)
Bertelsmann Stiftung, a private foundation based in Germany, has published the Bertelsmann Bertelsmann Stiftung, a private foundation based in Germany, has published the Bertelsmann
Transformation Index (BTI) biannually since 2006. BTI Transformation Index (BTI) biannually since 2006. BTI 20222024, which reviews the period of , which reviews the period of
February 1, 2019, to January 31, 2021February 2021 through January 2023, includes global, regional and country reports , includes global, regional and country reports as well as
three thematic reports that evaluate the state of democracy, the economy, and governance in 137 that evaluate the state of democracy, the economy, and governance in 137
developing and transition countries. developing and transition countries. For political transformation specifically, BTI ranks countries
The BTI ranks these countries' political transformation using five criteria: (1) stateness, (2) political participation, (3) rule of law, (4) stability of using five criteria: (1) stateness, (2) political participation, (3) rule of law, (4) stability of
democratic institutions, and (5) political and social integration.democratic institutions, and (5) political and social integration.11 The political transformation The political transformation
criteria also determine each countrycriteria also determine each country’'s classification: s classification: democracy in consolidation, defective
democracy, highly defective democracy, moderate autocracy, or , or hardline autocracy..22 BTI BTI
evaluates all Central and South American nationsevaluates all Central and South American nations except for Belize, Guyana, and Suriname. Among Caribbean nations, BTI evaluates . Among Caribbean nations, BTI evaluates
Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica.
In its 2022 regional report, BTI finds that “the
BTI’s Regional Report Latin America
political turmoil observed in the majority of
and the Caribbean 2022
Latin American countries is also reflected in
“Brought into intense focus by the magnifying glass of
the continuing decline in the quality of
the coronavirus pandemic, Latin America’s oft-cited
democracy.”4 In its global report, BTI
economic structural weaknesses – extreme inequality,
highlights Brazil’s “steady decline in its
weak economic productivity and fractured social
quality of democracy” over the past decade,
systems – have once again been exposed.”3
Mexico’s “organized drug crime and the
exceedingly brutal fight against gang activities have undermined the quality of democracy,” and
Central America’s “long-term autocratization trends.”5 On the other hand, the report also
highlights that some democracies “have been consistently classified as consolidating and stable
over the past 20 years in addition to being able to maintain their high level of democracy despite
myriad transformation challenges.” This group, according to the report, includes Chile, Costa
Rica, and Uruguay in Latin America, and Jamaica in the Caribbean.6
Figure 1 shows the global rank and classification of all Central and South American and
Caribbean countries according to the Political Transformation Rank, a component of the 2022
Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index (BTI).

1 Bertelsmann Stiftung, “Methodology,” accessed August 1, 2023, at https://www.bti-project.org/en/methodology.html.
For political transformation criteria, (1) stateness examines the monopoly on the use of force, state identity,
interference of religious dogmas, and basic administration; (2) political participation examines free and fair elections,
effective power to govern, association and assembly rights, and freedom of expression; (3) rule of law examines
separation of powers, independent judiciary, prosecution of office abuse, and civil rights; (4) stability of democratic
institutions examines performance of democratic institutions and commitment of democratic institutions; and (5)
political and social integration examines the party system, interest groups, approval of democracy, and social capital.
2 Bertelsmann Stiftung, “Methodology,” accessed August 1, 2022, at https://www.bti-project.org/en/methodology.html.
BTI uses seven threshold values to mark minimum requirements for a democracy: (1) free and fair elections, (2)
effective power to govern, (3) association/assembly rights, (4) freedom of expression, (5) separation of powers, (6) civil
rights, and (7) monopoly on the use of force and basic administration. BTI classifies a country as an autocracy if any
one of seven political transformation indicators falls short of the relevant threshold. BTI considers failing states
autocracies.
3 Peter Thiery, Paradigms Lost. New opportunities for transformation?—BTI Regional Report Latin America and the
Caribbean, Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2022, p. 4.
4 Ibid.
5 Hauke Hartmann and Peter Thiery, Global findings BTI 2022, Bertelsmann Stiftung, pp. 5, 7-8.
6 Ibid., p. 7.
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Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices

Figure 1. BTI's 2022 Political Transformation Global Ranking
of Latin American and Caribbean Countries

Source: Created by CRS using Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2022 Transformation Index.
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Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)’s Democracy Index
Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica.

BTI's Regional Report Latin America and the Caribbean 2024 "The transformation process in Latin America and the Caribbean … was marked by contradictory signals and developments…. This reinforces the impression that the region has entered an era of turmoil and is exploring a variety of options, but without any clear vision of its own."3

In its 2024 regional report, BTI finds that "the ongoing political unrest in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean is reflected in the continuing downward drift in the quality of democracy."⁴ The report adds that despite the measured progress of Honduras and the Dominican Republic, "the BTI 2024 observation period proved to be the most autocratic in the region to date," naming El Salvador as the most "significant autocratization."⁵ In its global report, BTI highlights harsher political climates in the region, with "many countries employing a more confrontational style" as well as "creeping state dysfunctionality drawn out over many years" in Mexico and Peru.⁶ On the other hand, the regional report also notes that Latin America and the Caribbean are still home to 16 democracies.⁷

Figure 1 shows the global rank and classification of all Central and South American and Caribbean countries according to the Political Transformation Rank, a component of the 2024 Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index (BTI).

Figure 1. BTI's 2024 Political Transformation Global Rankingof Latin American and Caribbean Countries

Source: Created by CRS using Bertelsmann Stiftung's 2024 Transformation Index.

Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)'s Democracy Index The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), based in London and New York, has produced a The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), based in London and New York, has produced a
democracy index since 2006.democracy index since 2006.78 The most recent report provides an annual snapshot of the state of The most recent report provides an annual snapshot of the state of
democracy for 165 independent states and two territories.democracy for 165 independent states and two territories.89 The EIU classifies countries as The EIU classifies countries as full
democracies,, flawed democracies,, hybrid regimes, or , or authoritarian regimes based on an based on an
aggregate score of 60 indicators in five categories: (1) electoral process and pluralism, (2) civil aggregate score of 60 indicators in five categories: (1) electoral process and pluralism, (2) civil
liberties, (3) the functioning of government, (4) political participation, and (5) political culture.liberties, (3) the functioning of government, (4) political participation, and (5) political culture.9
EIU evaluates10 EIU evaluates Mexico and all Central and South American nations. With respect to the Caribbean, EIU looks all Central and South American nations. With respect to the Caribbean, EIU looks
at Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.at Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
According to the EIU’s Democracy Index
EIU’'s Democracy Index 2022
2022, the2024

"Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean has its strengths and weaknesses: the region performs above the global average on electoral process and pluralism, political participation and civil liberties, as well as for functioning of government (although its score in the latter category is quite low). However, it is the worst-performing region for political culture."¹¹

According to the EIU's Democracy Index 2024, covering calendar year 2024, the Latin America and Caribbean region's overall score declined from 5.68 in 2023 (on a 0 to 10 scale) to 5.61 in 2024, described as the "ninth consecutive year of democratic backsliding in the region."¹² According to EIU, of the 24 countries evaluated, "17 registered a decline in their score in 2024, five improved their scores and two countries recorded no change."¹³ EIU reports that Jamaica, Colombia, and Brazil "experienced the biggest reversals this year, while the Dominican Republic and Mexico made the biggest improvement."¹⁴ In 2024, two countries in the region were classified as full democracies (Costa Rica and Uruguay), while four countries in the region were identified as authoritarian regimes (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela).¹⁵ The report notes one classification changes with Paraguay downgraded from "flawed democracy" to "hybrid regime."¹⁶ Figure 2 shows the global rank and classification of Central and South American and Caribbean countries according to the EIU's Democracy Index 2024.

Figure 2. EIU's Democracy Index 2024 Global Ranking for Latin American and Caribbean Countries

Source: Created by CRS using EIU's Democracy Index 2024.

Freedom House's Freedom in the World Latin America and Caribbean
“Weak state capacity is a major cause of the region’s
region’s overall score declined from 5.83 in
low scores,” as it is home to “some of the world’s
2021 to 5.79 in 2022 (on a 0 to 10 scale).
most unequal and corrupt countries” along with the
According to EIU, “a broad-based increase in
“growth of transnational criminal organizations.”10
scores related to the lifting of pandemic-
related restrictions that had affected civil liberties ... are offset by a sharp deterioration in scores
in a handful of countries.”11 The report identifies three countries whose declining scores are
driving the overall region’s score down: Haiti, El Salvador, and Mexico.12 In 2022, three countries
in the region were classified as full democracies (Chile, Costa Rica, and Uruguay), while four
countries in the region were identified as authoritarian regimes (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and
Venezuela).13 Following a downgrade in the 2021 report, Chile regained its status as a “full
democracy” and Peru was downgraded from a “flawed democracy” to a “hybrid regime.”14
Figure 2 shows the global rank and classification of Central and South American and Caribbean
countries according to the EIU’s Democracy Index 2022.

7 The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) did not produce a democracy index report covering 2007 or 2009.
8 EIU, Democracy Index 2022: Frontline Democracy and the battle for Ukraine, 2023, p. 3.
9 EIU, Democracy Index 2022: Frontline Democracy and the battle for Ukraine, 2023, pp. 66-68. EIU defines terms as:
full democracies are countries where the “functioning of government is satisfactory. Media are independent and
diverse.... effective checks and balances ... judiciary is independent and judicial decisions are enforced ... only limited
problems.” Flawed democracies have “free and fair elections ... basic civil liberties are respected. However, there are
significant weaknesses in other aspects of democracy, including problems in governance, an underdeveloped political
culture and low levels of political participation.” Hybrid regimes have “substantial election irregularities ... government
pressure on opposition parties and candidates ... corruption tends to be widespread and the rule of law is weak. Civil
society is weak ... and the judiciary is not independent.” In authoritarian regimes, “state political pluralism is absent or
heavily circumscribed ... some formal institutions of democracy may exist, but these have little substance ... elections ...
are not free and fair.... disregard for abuses and infringements of civil liberties ... repression of criticism of the
government and pervasive censorship. There is no independent judiciary.”
10 EIU, Democracy Index 2022: Frontline Democracy and the battle for Ukraine, 2023, pp. 43.
11 Ibid., pp. 41.
12 Ibid.
13 Ibid, p. 41.
14 Ibid.
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Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices

Figure 2. EIU’s Democracy Index 2022 Global Ranking
for Latin American and Caribbean Countries

Source: Created by CRS using EIU’s Democracy Index 2022.


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Freedom House’s Freedom in the World
Freedom House is a U.S.-based NGO that conducts research on democracy, political freedom, Freedom House is a U.S.-based NGO that conducts research on democracy, political freedom,
and human rights worldwide. It has published a global report on political rights and civil liberties, and human rights worldwide. It has published a global report on political rights and civil liberties,
now called now called Freedom in the World,, annually since 1972.annually since 1972.1517 The The 20232025 report, which covers calendar report, which covers calendar
year year 20222024, measures 195 countries and , measures 195 countries and 1513 territories territories.16, including all Latin American and Caribbean countries.¹⁸ Freedom House assigns each country 0 to Freedom House assigns each country 0 to
4 points on 25 different indicators—10 indicators for political rights and 15 indicators for civil 4 points on 25 different indicators—10 indicators for political rights and 15 indicators for civil
liberties—for a total of up to 100 points. The calculation equally weights a countryliberties—for a total of up to 100 points. The calculation equally weights a country’'s aggregate s aggregate
political rights and civil liberties scores to determine whether the country has an overall status of political rights and civil liberties scores to determine whether the country has an overall status of
free, partly free, or , or not free.17.¹⁹ The report The report’'s analysis is based on data that are detailed in full on the s analysis is based on data that are detailed in full on the
Freedom HouseFreedom House’s report web page.18 Freedom House’s webpage “Countries,”'s website.²⁰ The website also lists the current lists the current
freedom scores freedom scores of all countries with a detailed profile for eachwith a detailed profile for each.19 Freedom House evaluates all
Central and South American and Caribbean nations.
Freedom House found that the top countries
assessed country.²¹ Freedom House’'s Freedom in the World 2025

"Despite retaining its status as one of the world's freest regions, the Americas suffered further erosion to political rights and civil liberties in 2024."²²

Freedom House classified 22 out of 35 countries in the region as "free" in 2024.²³ The report section titled "Americas" covers all countries in the Western Hemisphere and highlighted that "[12] out of 35 countries recorded overall score declines, while only 7 registered improvements."²⁴ According to the report, Haiti and El Salvador tied for the year's largest score declines in the region and ranked among the top four largest score declines in the world.²⁵ On the other hand, Freedom House determined that Guatemala "experienced the region's largest score improvement."²⁶ Figure 3 shows the aggregate scores of all Central and South American and Caribbean countries according to the relevant Freedom House country web pages for Freedom in the World 2025. The political rights scores and the civil liberties scores, which comprise the aggregate scores, can be found under the Freedom House heading for each country in Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3.

Figure 3. Freedom House's Freedom in the World 2025 Aggregate Scores for Latin American and Caribbean Countries

Source: Created by CRS using Freedom House's Freedom in the World 2025.

Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem)'s Freedom in the
with one-year democratic declines in 2022
World 2023
included Nicaragua and El Salvador.21 Over
“The countries of the region continue to grapple with
the last decade, the top countries with largest
serious threats to political stability and fundamental
democratic declines include Nicaragua, El
rights… Perennial weaknesses in the rule of law
Salvador, Venezuela, and Haiti.22 Colombia
remained a challenge for many countries in the
was among the top countries with a one-year
region.”20
democratic gain, earning a six-point increase
in its aggregate score and a status change from “partly free” to “free.”23 Meanwhile, Peru’s status
was downgraded to “partly free” after only a “one year stint in the Free category.”24
Figure 3 shows the aggregate scores of all Central and South American and Caribbean countries
according to the relevant Freedom House country web pages for Freedom in the World 2023.

15 Until 1978, the annual report was titled The Comparative Study of Freedom.
16 Yana Gorokhovskaia, Adrian Shabaz, and Amy Slipowitz, Freedom in the World 2023: Marking 50 Years in the
Struggle for Democracy, Freedom House, 2023, p. 21.
17 The methodology is derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “The political rights questions are
grouped into three subcategories: Electoral Process (3 questions), Political Pluralism and Participation (4), and
Functioning of Government (3). The civil liberties questions are grouped into four subcategories: Freedom of
Expression and Belief (4 questions), Associational and Organizational Rights (3), Rule of Law (4), and Personal
Autonomy and Individual Rights (4).” The methodology questions and table for calculating country status are listed
online at Freedom House, “Freedom in the World Research Methodology,” accessed July 31, 2023, at
https://freedomhouse.org/reports/freedom-world/freedom-world-research-methodology.
18 Freedom House, “Freedom in the World: About the report,” accessed July 31, 2023, at
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world
19 Freedom House, “Countries and Territories,” accessed July 31, 2023, at https://freedomhouse.org/countries/freedom-
world/scores
20 Yana Gorokhovskaia, Adrian Shabaz, and Amy Slipowitz, Freedom in the World 2023: Marking 50 Years in the
Struggle for Democracy, Freedom House, 2023, p. 25.
21 Ibid., p. 9.
22 Ibid., p. 12.
23 Ibid., pp. 8-9.
24 Ibid., p. 17.
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Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices

Figure 3. Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2023 Aggregate Scores
for Latin American and Caribbean Countries

Source: Created by CRS using Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2023.


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Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem)’s Liberal Democracy
Index
s Liberal Democracy Index The Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem), headquartered at the University of Gothenburg in The Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem), headquartered at the University of Gothenburg in
Sweden, collects democracy data through its research team in collaboration with country experts. Sweden, collects democracy data through its research team in collaboration with country experts.
In 2017, V-Dem published its first global report measuring the status of democracy. V-DemIn 2017, V-Dem published its first global report measuring the status of democracy. V-Dem’'s s
Democracy Report 20232025 includes the Liberal Democracy Index (LDI), which is based on 71 includes the Liberal Democracy Index (LDI), which is based on 71
indicators that capture liberal and electoral aspects of democracy.indicators that capture liberal and electoral aspects of democracy.2527 V-Dem evaluates V-Dem evaluates Mexico and all Central all Central
and South American nations. V-Dem evaluates a subset of Caribbean nations: Barbados, Cuba, and South American nations. V-Dem evaluates a subset of Caribbean nations: Barbados, Cuba,
the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The V-Dem 2023 report, covering calendar
V-Dem’'s Democracy Report 2025

"Latin America and the Caribbean is the only region in the world that scores substantially higher on its population-weighted average than on its country-based averages. In this region, large and populous countries are, on average, more democratic than smaller ones."²⁸

The V-Dem 2025 report, covering calendar year 2024, grouped 179 countries into four categories: liberal democracy, electoral democracy, electoral autocracy, and closed autocracy.²⁹ The report stated that "most of the population in Latin America and The Caribbean – 64% – live in electoral democracies," with 4% of the population residing in liberal democracies, 6% in electoral autocracies, and 3% in closed autocracies.³⁰ The report described Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, and Honduras as "democratizing countries" and noted that the first three are "successfully reversing autocratization processes of the previous years."³¹ On the other hand, the report counts seven countries as "currently regressing: Argentina, El Salvador, Guyana, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru."³² On Mexico, the report stated that it "ranks as 'grey zone' electoral democracy (ED-) meaning that its status as a democracy is uncertain by the end of 2024."³³ Figure 4 shows the liberal democracy index rank and classification of all Central and South American and Caribbean countries according to the Varieties of Democracy Institute's Democracy Report 2025.

Figure 4. V-Dem's Democracy Report 2025's Liberal Democracy Index Rankfor Latin American and Caribbean Countries Source: Created by CRS using the Varieties of Democracy Institute's Democracy Report 2025. Compilation of Democracy Indicators Table 1, below, looks at Caribbean countries's Democracy Report 2023
year 2022, grouped 179 countries into four
“The 2022 regional average for Latin America and the
categories: liberal democracy, electoral
Caribbean is lower than at any point in time since
democracy, electoral autocracy, and closed
1989.”26
autocracy.27 The report states that the “vast
majority of Latin Americans (83%) live in electoral democracies” and “autocracies in the region
are comparatively small countries … making up 12% of the region’s inhabitants.”28 Declining
LDI scores, what is referred to in the report as “autocratizing,” were recorded for Brazil, Chile, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, Uruguay, and Venezuela.”29 The report finds that
“declines in academic freedom are linked to autocratization” in several countries around the
world including Brazil, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Uruguay.30 Since last year, Haiti was
downgraded to a “closed autocracy.”31 The report also notes that in the region, the Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, and Honduras have seen improved LDI scores over the past decade; the 2023
report upgraded Honduras to an “electoral democracy.”32
Figure 4 shows the liberal democracy index rank and classification of all Central and South
American and Caribbean countries according to the Varieties of Democracy Institute's Democracy
Report 2023.

25 Evie Papada et al., Democracy Report 2023: Defiance in the Face of Autocratization, Varieties of Democracy
Institute, p. 50.
26 Ibid., p. 10.
27 Using its data, V-Dem sorts countries into regime types based on Anna Lührmann, Marcus Tannenberg, and Staffan
I. Lindberg, “Regimes of the World (RoW): Opening New Avenues for the Comparative Study of Political Regimes,”
Politics & Governance, vol. 6, no. 1 (2018), pp. 60-77. This article states “that Dahl’s theory of polyarchy (1971, 1998)
provides the most comprehensive and most widely accepted theory of what distinguishes a democracy based on six …
institutional guarantees (elected officials, free and fair elections, freedom of expression, alternative sources of
information, associational autonomy, and inclusive citizenship).” The article defines democracies as having “de-facto
multiparty, free and fair elections, and Dahl’s institutional prerequisites minimally fulfilled.” An electoral democracy is
one in which “the rule of law or liberal principles [are] not satisfied” and a liberal democracy is one in which “the rule
of law and liberal principles [are] satisfied.” Autocracies have “no de facto multiparty, or free and fair elections, or
Dahl’s institutional prerequisites not minimally fulfilled.” An electoral autocracy has “de jure multiparty elections for
the chief executive and the legislature” and a closed autocracy has “no multiparty elections for the chief executive or
the legislature.”
28 Evie Papada et al., Democracy Report 2023: Defiance in the Face of Autocratization, Varieties of Democracy
Institute, p. 14.
29 Ibid., p. 21 and 27.
30 Ibid., p. 37.
31 Ibid., p. 40.
32 Ibid., p. 21.
Congressional Research Service

8

---

Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices

Figure 4. V-Dem’s Democracy Report 2023's Liberal Democracy Index Rank
for Latin American and Caribbean Countries

Source: Created by CRS using the Varieties of Democracy Institute’s Democracy Report 2023.

Congressional Research Service

9

---

link to page 14 link to page 17 link to page 19 link to page 4 link to page 5 link to page 7 link to page 9 link to page 11 Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices

Compilation of Democracy Indicators
Table 1 below looks at Caribbean countries’ global democracy rankings according to global democracy rankings according to
Bertelsmann StiftungBertelsmann Stiftung’s 2022's 2024 Transformation Index, EIU Transformation Index, EIU’'s s Democracy Index 20222024, Freedom , Freedom
House’House's s Freedom in the World 20232025, and V-Dem, and V-Dem’'s s Democracy Report 20232025. Table 2 compares compares
the same reports for Mexico and Central America, as doesthe same reports for Mexico and Central America, as does Table 3 for South America. In each for South America. In each
table, the country name is followed by parentheses with the nature of the countrytable, the country name is followed by parentheses with the nature of the country’'s political s political
system, as described in the U.S. State Departmentsystem, as described in the U.S. State Department’s 2022's 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices.33
(the 2023 updated report does not include descriptions of country political systems).³⁴ Each index is based on a unique methodology and the rankings are not necessarily comparable. Each index is based on a unique methodology and the rankings are not necessarily comparable.
For more details on the methodologies, see For more details on the methodologies, see "“Democracy Indices and Source Notes” above" above. For . For
term definitions of each index, see term definitions of each index, see footnote 2 for BTI, footnote 9 footnote 2 for BTI, footnote 10 for EIU, footnotefor EIU, footnote 17 19 for for
Freedom House, and Freedom House, and footnote 27 footnote 29 for V-Dem, or consult the full reports. Each report evaluates a for V-Dem, or consult the full reports. Each report evaluates a
different number of countries, so there are missing rankings for some countries. Countries are different number of countries, so there are missing rankings for some countries. Countries are
listed alphabetically in each table. listed alphabetically in each table.

33 U.S. Department of State, 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, March 20, 2023.
Congressional Research Service

10

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link to page 16
Table 1. Caribbean: 20222024 Democracy Rankings
Bertelsmann Stiftung
Transformation Index
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report

2022
2022
Freedom in the World 2023
2023
Political
Country
Transfor-
(U.S. State
mation
Liberal
Dept. political
Global
Global
Political
Civil
Democracy
system
Rank (of
Rank (of
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Index Global
Regime
description)
137)
Status
167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Status
Rank (of 179)
Typea
Antigua &
Barbuda
(multiparty
—
—
—
—
85
33
52
Free
—
—
parliamentary
democracy)
The Bahamas

Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index 2024

EIU Democracy Index 2024

Freedom House Freedom in the World 2025

V-Dem Democracy Report 2025

Country(U.S. State Dept. political system description)

Political Transfor-mation Global Rank (of 137)

Status

Global Rank (of 167)^a

Regime Type

Aggregate Score (out of 100)

Political Rights Score (out of 40)

Civil Liberties Score (out of 60)

Freedom Status

Liberal Democracy Index Global Rank (of 179)

Regime Type^b

Antigua & Barbuda (multiparty parliamentary democracy)

—

—

—

—

83

32

51

Free

—

—

The Bahamas
(constitutional (constitutional
parliamentary
—
—
—
—
91
38
53
Free
—
—
democracy)
Barbados
(-)
parliamentary democracy)

—

—

—

—

90

38

52

Free

—

—

Barbados (parliamentary democracy)

—

—

—

—

94

37

57

Free

34

(-)

Liberal democracy

(parliamentary
—
—
—
—
94
37
57
Free
37
Liberal
democracy)
democracy
Belize (constitutional parliamentary democracy)

—

—

—

—

88

35

53

Free

—

—

Cuba (authoritarian state)

113

Hard-line autocracy

135

Authoritarian

10

1

9

Not free

160

Closed autocracy

Dominica (multiparty parliamentary democracy)

—

—

—

—

92

37

55

Free

—

—

Dominican Republic (representative constitutional democracy)

25

Defective democracy

52

Flawed democracy

68

27

41

Partly free

71

Electoral democracy

Grenada
(constitutional
—
—
—
parliamentary
—
87
34
53
Free
—
—
democracy)
Cuba
Hard-line
Closed
(authoritarian
111
autocracy
139
Authoritarian
12
1
11
Not free
164
autocracy
state)
Dominica
(multiparty
—
—
—
—
93
37
56
Free
—
—
parliamentary
democracy)
CRS-11

---

link to page 16
Bertelsmann Stiftung
Transformation Index
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report

2022
2022
Freedom in the World 2023
2023
Political
Country
Transfor-
(U.S. State
mation
Liberal
Dept. political
Global
Global
Political
Civil
Democracy
system
Rank (of
Rank (of
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Index Global
Regime
description)
137)
Status
167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Status
Rank (of 179)
Typea
Dominican
Republic
Defective
Flawed
Electoral
(representative
35
democracy
65
democracy
68
27
41
Partly free
68
democracy
constitutional
democracy)
Grenada
(parliamentary
—
—
—
—
89
37
52
Free
—
—
democracy)
Guyana
Flawed
(-)
(parliamentary democracy)

—

—

—

—

89

37

52

Free

—

—

Guyana (multiparty democracy)

—

—

69

Flawed democracy

74

30

44

Free

96

(+)

Electoral autocracy

Haiti (multiparty constitutional republic)

128

Hard-line autocracy

131

Authoritarian

24

6

18

Not free

151

Closed autocracy

Jamaica (constitutional parliamentary democracy)

15

Democracy in consolidation

49

Flawed democracy

80

33

47

Free

33

(-)

Liberal democracy

St. Kitts and Nevis (multiparty parliamentary democracy and federation)

—

—

—

—

89

35

54

Free

—

—

(multiparty
—
—
67
democracy
73
30
43
Free
89
Electoral
democracy)
democracy
Haiti
(+)
(multiparty
Hard-line
constitutional
96
autocracy
135
Authoritarian
31
11
20
Not free
130
Closed
republic)
autocracy
Jamaica
(constitutional
Democracy in
Flawed
(+)
parliamentary
16
consolidation
42
democracy
80
34
46
Free
34
Electoral
democracy)
democracy
St. Kitts and
Nevis
(multiparty
parliamentary
—
—
—
—
89
35
54
Free
—
—
democracy and
federation)
CRS-12

---

link to page 16
Bertelsmann Stiftung
Transformation Index
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report

2022
2022
Freedom in the World 2023
2023
Political
Country
Transfor-
(U.S. State
mation
Liberal
Dept. political
Global
Global
Political
Civil
Democracy
system
Rank (of
Rank (of
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Index Global
Regime
description)
137)
Status
167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Status
Rank (of 179)
Typea
St. Lucia
(constitutional (constitutional
monarchy with
—
—
—
—
92
38
54
Free
—
—
a multiparty
parliamentary
system)
monarchy with a multiparty parliamentary system)

—

—

—

—

91

38

53

Free

—

—

St. Vincent
and the
Grenadines
—
—
—
—
91
36
55
Free
—
—
(multiparty
parliamentary
democracy)
and the Grenadines (multiparty parliamentary democracy)

—

—

—

—

90

36

54

Free

—

—

Suriname
(constitutional (constitutional
—
—
48
Flawed
79
34
45
Free
40
Electoral
democracy)
democracy
democracy
Trinidad &
Tobago
Democracy in
Flawed
(+)
(parliamentary
13
consolidation
41
democracy
82
33
49
Free
36
Electoral
democracy)
democracy
democracy)

—

—

48

Flawed democracy

80

34

46

Free

40

Electoral democracy

Trinidad & Tobago (parliamentary democracy)

13

Democracy in consolidation

45

Flawed democracy

82

33

49

Free

42

(+) Electoral democracy

Source: Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State DepartmentCompiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department’s 2022's 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Bertelsmann Stiftung Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2022's 2024 Transformation Index, EIU Transformation Index, EIU’'s s
Democracy Index 20222024, Freedom HouseFreedom House’'s s Freedom in the World 20232025, and the Varieties of Democracy Instituteand the Varieties of Democracy Institute’'s s Democracy Report 2023.
2025. Notes: Although Belize is located in Central America and Guyana and Suriname are located in South America, all three are members of the Caribbean Community Although Belize is located in Central America and Guyana and Suriname are located in South America, all three are members of the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM).(CARICOM).
a. V-Dem’ a. EIU's symbol "=" indicates that one or more countries were ranked equally. b. V-Dem's symbol (-) indicates that, taking uncertainty into account, the country could belong to the lower categorys symbol (-) indicates that, taking uncertainty into account, the country could belong to the lower category, while (+) signifies that the country could belong while (+) signifies that the country could belong
to the higher category.to the higher category.
CRS-13

---

link to page 18 link to page 18
Table 2. Mexico and Central America: 20222024 Democracy Rankings
Bertelsmann Stiftung
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy

Transformation Index 2022
2022
Freedom in the World 2023
Report 2023
Country
Political
Liberal

Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index 2024

EIU Democracy Index 2024

Freedom House Freedom in the World 2025

V-Dem Democracy Report 2025

Country (U.S. State (U.S. State
Transfor-
Democracy
Dept. political Dept. political
system description)

Political Transfor-mation Global Rank (of 137)

Status

Global Rank (of 167)^a

Regime Type

Aggregate Score (out of 100)

Political Rights Score (out of 40)

Civil Liberties Score (out of 60)

Freedom Status

Liberal Democracy Index Global Rank (of 179)

Regime Type^b

Costa Rica (constitutional republic)

7

Democracy in consolidation

18

Full democracy

91

38

53

Free

11

Liberal democracy

El Salvador (constitutional multiparty republic)

64

Moderate autocracy

95

Hybrid regime

47

17

30

Partly Free

148

Electoral autocracy

Guatemala (constitutional multiparty republic)

91

Hard-line autocracy

97

Hybrid regime

48

19

29

Partly free

68

Electoral democracy

Honduras (constitutional multiparty republic)

71

Highly defective democracy

90

Hybrid regime

48

22

26

Partly free

84

(-)

Electoral democracy

Mexico (multiparty federal republic)

57

Highly defective democracy

84

Hybrid regime

59

26

33

Partly free

108

(-)

Electoral democracy

Nicaragua^c (authoritarian political system)

115

Hard-line autocracy

147

Authoritarian

14

2

12

Not free

175

(-) Electoral autocracy

Panama (multiparty constitutional democracy)

38

Defective democracy

47

Flawed democracy

83

35

48

Free

47

Electoral democracy

Sources: Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department's 2022 mation
Global
Political
Civil
Index
system
Global Rank
Rank
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Global Rank
Regime
description)
(of 137)
Status
(of 167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Status
(of 179)
Typea
Costa Rica
(constitutional
7
Democracy in
17
Ful
91
38
53
Free
9
Liberal
republic)
consolidation
democracy
democracy
El Salvador
(constitutional
Defective
Hybrid
Electoral
multiparty
40
democracy
93
regime
56
25
31
Partly Free
132
autocracy
republic)
Guatemala
(multiparty
Moderate
Hybrid
Electoral
constitutional
91
autocracy
98
regime
49
20
29
Partly free
105
autocracy
republic)
Honduras
(-)
(constitutional
82
Moderate
91
Hybrid
48
22
26
Partly free
84
multiparty
autocracy
regime
Electoral
republic)
democracy
Mexico
(multiparty
57
Highly defective
89
Hybrid
60
27
33
Partly free
93
Electoral
federal
democracy
regime
democracy
republic)
Nicaraguab
(-)
(authoritarian
105
Hard-line
143
Authoritarian
19
5
14
Not free
174
Electoral
political
autocracy
autocracy
system)
CRS-14

---

link to page 18 link to page 14
Bertelsmann Stiftung
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy

Transformation Index 2022
2022
Freedom in the World 2023
Report 2023
Country
Political
Liberal
(U.S. State
Transfor-
Democracy
Dept. political
mation
Global
Political
Civil
Index
system
Global Rank
Rank
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Global Rank
Regime
description)
(of 137)
Status
(of 167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Status
(of 179)
Typea
Panama
(multiparty
36
Defective
49
Flawed
83
35
48
Free
52
Electoral
constitutional
democracy
democracy
democracy
democracy)
Sources: Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department’s 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Bertelsmann Stiftung Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2022's 2024 Transformation Index, EIU Transformation Index, EIU’'s s
Democracy Index 20222024, Freedom HouseFreedom House’'s s Freedom in the World 20232025, and the Varieties of Democracy Instituteand the Varieties of Democracy Institute’'s (V-Dem) s (V-Dem) Democracy Report 2023.
2025. Notes: Although Belize is located in Central America, it is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and is listed inAlthough Belize is located in Central America, it is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and is listed in Table 1.
a. V-Dem’ a. EIU's symbol "=" indicates that one or more countries were ranked equally. b. V-Dem's symbol (-) indicates that, taking uncertainty into account, the country could belong to the lower categorys symbol (-) indicates that, taking uncertainty into account, the country could belong to the lower category, while (+) signifies that the country could belong while (+) signifies that the country could belong
to the higher category.to the higher category.
b. “ c. "Constitutional multiparty republicConstitutional multiparty republic”" was the political system description from the U.S. State Department was the political system description from the U.S. State Department’'s s 2017 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices:
Nicaragua, whileNicaragua. Later, the the 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nicaragua states: “ stated: "Nicaragua has a highly centralized, authoritarian political system dominated by Nicaragua has a highly centralized, authoritarian political system dominated by
President Daniel Ortega Saavedra and his wife, Vice President Rosario President Daniel Ortega Saavedra and his wife, Vice President Rosario Muril oMurillo Zambrana. Ortega Zambrana. Ortega’'s Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) party exercises total s Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) party exercises total
control over control over country's the executive, legislative, judicial, and electoral functions.the executive, legislative, judicial, and electoral functions.”


CRS-15

---

link to page 20
" Table 3. South America: 20222024 Democracy Rankings
Bertelsmann Stiftung
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report

Transformation Index 2022
2022
Freedom in the World 2023
2023
Country
Political
Liberal

Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index 2024

EIU Democracy Index 2024

Freedom House Freedom in the World 2025

V-Dem Democracy Report 2025

Country (U.S. State (U.S. State
Transfor-
Democracy
Dept. political Dept. political
system description)

Political Transfor-mation Global Rank (of 137)

Status Index

Global Rank (of 167)^a

Regime Type

Aggregate Score

Political Rights Score

Civil Liberties Score

Freedom Status

Liberal Democracy Index Global Rank (of 179)

Regime Type^b

Argentina (federal constitutional republic)

22

Defective Democracy

54=

Flawed democracy

85

35

50

Free

53

Electoral democracy

mation
Global
Political
Civil
Index Global
system
Global Rank
Status
Rank (of
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Rank (of
Regime
description)
(of 137)
Index
167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Status
179)
Typea
Argentina
(federal
Democracy in
Flawed
Electoral
constitutional
19
consolidation
50
democracy
85
35
50
Free
46
democracy
republic)
Bolivia
(constitutional (constitutional
Defective
Hybrid
Electoral
multiparty
29
democracy
100
regime
66
27
39
Partly free
92
democracy
republic)
multiparty republic)

32

Defective democracy

103=

Hybrid regime

65

26

39

Partly free

98

Electoral democracy

Brazil
(constitutional (constitutional
multiparty republic)

34

Defective Defective
democracy

57

Flawed democracy

72

30

42

Free

29

Electoral democracy

Flawed
Electoral
multiparty
29
democracy
51
democracy
72
30
42
Free
58
democracy
republic)
Chile (constitutional multiparty democracy)

5

(-)
(constitutional
6
Democracy in
19
Ful
94
38
56
Free
21
multiparty
consolidation
democracy
Liberal
democracy)
democracy
Democracy in consolidation

29

Flawed democracy

95

38

57

Free

15

(-)

Liberal democracy

Colombia
(constitutional (constitutional
47
Defective
53
Flawed
70
31
39
Free
54
Electoral
multiparty
democracy
democracy
democracy
republic)
Ecuador
(constitutional
32
Defective
81
Hybrid
70
30
40
Free
63
Electoral
multiparty
democracy
regime
democracy
republic)
CRS-16

---

link to page 20 link to page 20 link to page 14
Bertelsmann Stiftung
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report

Transformation Index 2022
2022
Freedom in the World 2023
2023
Country
Political
Liberal
(U.S. State
Transfor-
Democracy
Dept. political
mation
Global
Political
Civil
Index Global
system
Global Rank
Status
Rank (of
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Rank (of
Regime
description)
(of 137)
Index
167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Status
179)
Typea
Paraguay
(multiparty
42
Defective
77
Hybrid
65
28
37
Partly free
75
Electoral
constitutional
democracy
regime
democracy
republic)
Perumultiparty republic)

43

Defective democracy

60

Flawed democracy

70

31

39

Free

52

Electoral democracy

Ecuador (constitutional multiparty republic)

41

Defective democracy

85

Hybrid regime

65

28

37

Partly free

72

Electoral democracy

Paraguay (multiparty constitutional republic)

42

Defective democracy

75

Hybrid regime

63

26

37

Partly free

82

Electoral democracy

Peru (constitutional multiparty republic)

53

Highly defective democracy

78

Hybrid regime

67

28

39

Partly free

62

Electoral democracy

Uruguay (constitutional republic)

1

Democracy in consolidation

15

Full democracy

96

40

56

Free

17

(-)

Liberal democracy

Venezuela^c (multiparty constitutional republic)

117

Hard-line autocracy

142

Authoritarian

13

0

13

Not free

168

Electoral autocracy

Source: Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department's 2022
(constitutional
45
Defective
75
Hybrid
70
29
41
Partly free
47
Electoral
multiparty
democracy
regime
democracy
republic)
Uruguay
(-)
(constitutional
1
Democracy in
11
Ful
96
40
56
Free
31
Liberal
republic)
consolidation
democracy
democracy
Venezuelab
(multiparty
constitutional
119
Hard-line
147
Authoritarian
15
1
14
Not free
161
Electoral
autocracy
autocracy
republic)
Source: Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department’s 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Bertelsmann Stiftung Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2022's 2024 Transformation Index, EIU Transformation Index, EIU’'s s
Democracy Index 20222024, Freedom HouseFreedom House’'s s Freedom in the World 20232025, and the Varieties of Democracy Instituteand the Varieties of Democracy Institute’'s s Democracy Report 2023.
2025. Notes: Although Guyana and Suriname are located in South America, both are members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and are listed Although Guyana and Suriname are located in South America, both are members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and are listed inin Table 1.
a. V-Dem’ a. EIU's symbol "=" indicates that one or more countries were ranked equally. b. V-Dem's symbol (-) indicates that, taking uncertainty into account, the country could belong to the lower categorys symbol (-) indicates that, taking uncertainty into account, the country could belong to the lower category, while (+) signifies that the country could belong while (+) signifies that the country could belong
to the higher category.to the higher category.
b. c. From the U.S. State DepartmentFrom the U.S. State Department’'s s 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Venezuela: : “"While Venezuela is legally a multiparty, constitutional republic, the While Venezuela is legally a multiparty, constitutional republic, the
regime of Nicolas Maduro claims control over all public institutions. In November 2021, the Maduro regime organized regional and municipal elections largely regime of Nicolas Maduro claims control over all public institutions. In November 2021, the Maduro regime organized regional and municipal elections largely
perceived as skewed in their favor. Election observers and media reported arbitrary arrests, criminalization of opposition partiesperceived as skewed in their favor. Election observers and media reported arbitrary arrests, criminalization of opposition parties’' activities, bans on candidates, and activities, bans on candidates, and
media censorship during the elections. The European Union was media censorship during the elections. The European Union was al owedallowed to act as election observer for the first time in 15 years, but the Maduro regime asked its to act as election observer for the first time in 15 years, but the Maduro regime asked its
observers to leave the country before they could present their final report. In the final report, the European Union noted significant structural deficiencies to the observers to leave the country before they could present their final report. In the final report, the European Union noted significant structural deficiencies to the
electoral system and provided the regime with 23 recommendations to improve electoral conditions.electoral system and provided the regime with 23 recommendations to improve electoral conditions.”

CRS-17

---

link to page 21 Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices

Selected Resources
" Selected Resources Table 4 provides selected resources for further information about democracy indicators provides selected resources for further information about democracy indicators in Central
and South America and the Caribbeanfor Latin American and Caribbean nations, although many , although many resources cover other geographic areas as well. The cover other geographic areas as well. The
sources are organized alphabetically by sources are organized alphabetically by title. authoring organization followed by the titles organized chronologically and then alphabetically. This is not an exhaustive list.This is not an exhaustive list.
Table 4. Selected Resources for Democracy Indicators

Organization

Title and Year Published
Organization
Resource Type and Notes
BTI 2022 Political Transformation

Bertelsmann Stiftung (BTI)

BTI's 2024 Global Findings

Regional report covers 137 countries and analyzes the results of BTI's 2024 Transformation Index from February 1, 2021, to January 31, 2023

BTI 2024 Governance Index

Bertelsmann Stiftung
Index ranks 137 countries
Index
composed of scores for stateness,
political participation, rule of law,
stability of democratic institutions,
and political and social integration
BTI 2022 Governance Index
Bertelsmann Stiftung
Index ranks 137 countries Index ranks 137 countries
composed of scores for level of composed of scores for level of
difficulty, steering capability, difficulty, steering capability,
resource efficiency, consensus-resource efficiency, consensus-
building, and international
cooperation
BTI’s Regional Report Latin
Peter Thiery, Bertelsmann Stiftung
Regional report covers 22 countries
America and the Caribbean 2022
and analyzes the results of BTI’s
2022 Transformation Index from
February 1, 2019, to January 31,
2021
BTI’s 2022 Global Findings
Hauke Hartmann and Peter Thiery,
Regional report covers 137
Bertelsmann Stiftung
building, and international cooperation

BTI 2024 Political Transformation Index

Index ranks 137 countries composed of scores for stateness, political participation, rule of law, stability of democratic institutions, and political and social integration

BTI's Regional Report Latin America and the Caribbean 2024

Regional report covers 22 countries and analyzes the results countries and analyzes the results
of BTIof BTI’s 2022's 2024 Transformation Index Transformation Index
from February 1, from February 1, 20192021, to January , to January
31, 2021
Country Reports on Human Rights
U.S. State Department
Global report covers all countries
Practices 2022
receiving U.S. assistance and all
United Nations member states
Democracy Index 2022
Economist Intelligence Unit
31, 2023

Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)

Democracy Index 2024

Global report covers 167 countries Global report covers 167 countries
and territoriesand territories
Democracy Report 2023
Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem)
Global report covers 179 countries
Electoral Integrity Electoral Integrity Worldwide 2019
Project

Electoral Integrity Worldwide 2019

Report and data from cumulative study covering national presidential and parliamentary elections from July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2018

Freedom House

Countries and Territories Rankings 2025

Global ranking list covering global freedom, internet freedom, and democracy scores for 210 countries and territories

Freedom in the World 2025

Electoral Integrity Project, an
Report and data from cumulative
independent academic project
study covering national presidential
based at Harvard University and the and parliamentary elections from
University of Sydney
July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2018
Freedom in the World 2023
Freedom House
Global report covers 210 countries Global report covers 210 countries
and territoriesand territories
About the Report 1973-2023
Freedom House

Freedom in the World: About the Report

Provides links to downloadableProvides links to downloadable, raw
data-sets utilized for data-sets utilized for Freedom in the
World 2023 report and earlier years
World reports past and present Global Freedom Status MapGlobal Freedom Status Map 2023
Freedom House
2025 Map shows global freedom, internet Map shows global freedom, internet
freedom, and democracy states for freedom, and democracy states for
210 countries and territories210 countries and territories
Congressional Research Service

18

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Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices

Title and Year Published
Organization
Resource Type and Notes
Countries and Territories Rankings
Freedom House
Global ranking list covering global
2023
freedom, internet freedom, and
democracy scores for 210 countries
and territories
Global State of Democracy Indices
International Institute for
Interactive map looks at 157
(2022)
Democracy and Electoral
indicators for 174 countries from
Assistance’s (International IDEA)
1975-2022
Global State of Democracy Initiative
Global State of Democracy Report
International Institute for
Global report looks at trends in
2022
Democracy and Electoral
democracy from 1975-2022 across
Assistance
173 countries
The State of Democracy in the
International Institute for
Regional report includes all Latin
Americas 2021
Democracy and Electoral
American countries and some
Assistance
Caribbean countries and is also
available in Spanish
Rule of Law Index 2022
World Justice Project
Global report measures how the
rule of law is experienced and
perceived in 140 countries and
jurisdictions
Rule of Law Index 2022
World Justice Project
Website with interactive map and
data tables cover over 100
countries and jurisdictions from
2015-2022
The Rule of Law Country Reports
World Justice Project
Country reports cover 26 countries
(2023)
from Latin America and the
Caribbean based on key findings
from the General Population Pol
2022
Worldwide Governance Indicators
World Bank
Data on 6 aggregate indicators of
(2022)
governance for 208 countries from
1996-2021; in particular, see Voice
and Accountability indicator
Source: Compiled by CRS.
Author Information

Carla Y. Davis-Castro

Senior Research Librarian


Acknowledgments
Research Librarian Clayton Levy assisted with the update of this report.
Congressional Research Service

19

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Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices



Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and
under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other
than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in
connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not
subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in
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copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.

Congressional Research Service
R46016 · VERSION 9 · UPDATED
20

International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)

Global State of Democracy Indices (2023)

Interactive map looks at 165 indicators for 174 countries from 1975-2023

Global State of Democracy Report 2024

Global report looks at trends in democracy from 1975-2023 across 173 countries

The State of Democracy in the Americas 2021

Regional report includes all Latin American countries and some Caribbean countries and is also available in Spanish

U.S. State Department

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2022

Global report covers all countries receiving U.S. assistance and all United Nations member states; the 2023 updated report does not include descriptions of country political systems

Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem)

Datasets (2025)

Includes current and past datasets for downloading as well as reference documents

Democracy Report 2025

Global report covers 179 countries

World Bank

Worldwide Governance Indicators (2024)

Data on six aggregate indicators of governance for over 200 countries from 1996-2023; in particular, see Voice and Accountability indicator

World Justice Project

Rule of Law Index 2024

Website with interactive map and data tables cover 142 countries and jurisdictions from 2015-2024

Mexico States Rule of Law Index 2023-24 (Spanish only)

World Justice Project's only subnational index that examines the rule of law in each of Mexico's 32 states

Rule of Law Country Reports (2023)

Country reports cover 25 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean based on key findings from the General Population Poll 2022

Source: Compiled by CRS.

Summer intern Emi Marrujo assisted with the update of this report.

Footnotes

1.

Bertelsmann Stiftung, "Methodology," accessed March 25, 2025, at https://bti-project.org/en/methodology. For political transformation criteria, (1) stateness examines the monopoly on the use of force, state identity, interference of religious dogmas, and basic administration; (2) political participation examines free and fair elections, effective power to govern, association and assembly rights, and freedom of expression; (3) rule of law examines separation of powers, independent judiciary, prosecution of office abuse, and civil rights; (4) stability of democratic institutions examines performance of democratic institutions and commitment of democratic institutions; and (5) political and social integration examines the party system, interest groups, approval of democracy, and social capital.

2.

Bertelsmann Stiftung, "Methodology," accessed March 25, 2025, at https://www.bti-project.org/en/methodology.html. BTI uses seven threshold values to mark minimum requirements for a democracy: (1) free and fair elections, (2) effective power to govern, (3) association/assembly rights, (4) freedom of expression, (5) separation of powers, (6) civil rights, and (7) monopoly on the use of force and basic administration. BTI classifies a country as an autocracy if any one of seven political transformation indicators falls short of the relevant threshold. BTI considers failing states autocracies. See also Bertelsmann Stiftung, "Regional Dashboard: Latin America and the Caribbean," accessed January 17, 2025, https://bti-project.org/en/reports/regional-dashboard/LAC?&cb=00000.

3.

Ariam Macias-Weller and Peter Thiery, Lost in transformation?—BTI Regional Report Latin America and the Caribbean, Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2024, p. 4.

4.

Ibid., p. 6.

5.

Ibid.

6.

Sabine Donner and Hauke Hartmann, Global findings BTI 2024: Less Democratic, Less Successful, Bertelsmann Stiftung, p. 26 and 12.

7.

Ariam Macias-Weller and Peter Thiery, Lost in transformation?—BTI Regional Report Latin America and the Caribbean, Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2024, p. 7.

8.

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) did not produce a democracy index report covering 2007 or 2009.

9.

EIU, Democracy Index 2024: What's wrong with representative democracy? 2025.

10.

Ibid., pp. 87-88. EIU defines terms as: full democracies are countries where the "functioning of government is satisfactory. Media are independent and diverse.... effective system of checks and balances ... judiciary is independent and judicial decisions are enforced ... only limited problems." Flawed democracies have "free and fair elections ... basic civil liberties are respected. However, there are significant weaknesses in other aspects of democracy, including problems in governance, an underdeveloped political culture and low levels of political participation." Hybrid regimes have "substantial election irregularities ... government pressure on opposition parties and candidates ... corruption tends to be widespread and the rule of law is weak. Civil society is weak ... and the judiciary is not independent." In authoritarian regimes, "state political pluralism is absent or heavily circumscribed ... some formal institutions of democracy may exist, but these have little substance ... elections ... are not free and fair.... disregard for abuses and infringements of civil liberties ... repression of criticism of the government and pervasive censorship. There is no independent judiciary."

11.

Ibid., p. 52.

12.

Ibid., p. 52 and 13.

13.

Ibid., p. 52.

14.

Ibid.

15.

Ibid.

16.

Ibid.

17.

Until 1978, the annual report was titled The Comparative Study of Freedom.

18.

Yana Gorokhovskaia and Cathryn Gothra, Freedom in the World 2025: The Uphill Battle to Safeguard Rights, Freedom House, February 2025, p. 23.

19.

The methodology is derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. "The political rights questions are grouped into three subcategories: Electoral Process (3 questions), Political Pluralism and Participation (4), and Functioning of Government (3). The civil liberties questions are grouped into four subcategories: Freedom of Expression and Belief (4 questions), Associational and Organizational Rights (3), Rule of Law (4), and Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights (4)." The methodology questions and table for calculating country status are listed online at Freedom House, "Freedom in the World Research Methodology," accessed March 25, 2025, at https://freedomhouse.org/reports/freedom-world/freedom-world-research-methodology.

20.

Freedom House, "Freedom in the World: About the report," accessed March 25, 2025, at https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world.

21.

Freedom House, "Countries and Territories," accessed March 25, 2025, at https://freedomhouse.org/countries/freedom-world/scores.

22.

Yana Gorokhovskaia and Cathryn Gothra, Freedom in the World 2025: The Uphill Battle to Safeguard Rights, Freedom House, February 2025, p. 27.

23.

Ibid. Note that this number includes the United States and Canada as they are part of the "Americas" region as defined by Freedom House.

24.

Ibid.

25.

Ibid., p. 27 and p. 1.

26.

Ibid., p. 27.

27. Marina Nord, David Altman, Fabio Angiolillo, Tiago Fernandes, Ana Good God, and Staffan I. Lindberg, Democracy Report 2025: 25 Years of Autocratization – Democracy Trumped?, March 2025, University of Gothenburg, V-Dem Institute, p. 57. 28.

Ibid., p. 11.

29.

Using its data, V-Dem sorts countries into regime types based on Anna Lührmann, Marcus Tannenberg, and Staffan I. Lindberg, "Regimes of the World (RoW): Opening New Avenues for the Comparative Study of Political Regimes," Politics & Governance, vol. 6, no. 1 (2018), pp. 60-77. This article states "that Dahl's theory of polyarchy (1971, 1998) provides the most comprehensive and most widely accepted theory of what distinguishes a democracy based on six … institutional guarantees (elected officials, free and fair elections, freedom of expression, alternative sources of information, associational autonomy, and inclusive citizenship)." The article defines democracies as having "de-facto multiparty, free and fair elections, and Dahl's institutional prerequisites minimally fulfilled." An electoral democracy is one in which "the rule of law or liberal principles [are] not satisfied" and a liberal democracy is one in which "the rule of law and liberal principles [are] satisfied." Autocracies have "no de facto multiparty, or free and fair elections, or Dahl's institutional prerequisites not minimally fulfilled." An electoral autocracy has "de jure multiparty elections for the chief executive and the legislature" and a closed autocracy has "no multiparty elections for the chief executive or the legislature."

30.

Marina Nord, David Altman, Fabio Angiolillo, Tiago Fernandes, Ana Good God, and Staffan I. Lindberg, Democracy Report 2025: 25 Years of Autocratization – Democracy Trumped?, March 2025, University of Gothenburg, V-Dem Institute, p. 16.

31.

Ibid., p. 21. Further discussion on Bolivia, Brazil, and Ecuador can be found on p. 34.

32.

Ibid.

33.

Ibid., p. 25. This page also provided further discussion on Peru and, on the following page, Nicaragua.

34.

U.S. Department of State, 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, March 20, 2023.

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