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Canada earned a 10 out of 10 for civil liberties and was ranked sixth overall among the world鈥檚 democracies in the Economist Intelligence Unit鈥檚 updated Democracy Index.聽聽

provides a snapshot of the state of democracy in 167 countries based on scores in five categories: electoral process and pluralism; civil liberties; the functioning of government; political participation; and political culture.

Canada鈥檚 overall score remained unchanged from 2017 at 9.15 while its 25th-ranked southern neighbour, the United States, saw its score drop slightly from 7.98 to 7.96.

The index classified Canada as a 鈥渇ull democracy,鈥� one of only 20 countries to achieve that title. The U.S. remained a 鈥渇lawed democracy鈥� after falling below the threshold for a 鈥渇ull democracy鈥� in 2016.

A 鈥渇ull democracy鈥� is described as one 鈥渋n which not only basic political freedoms and civil liberties are respected, but which also tend to be underpinned by a political culture conducive to the flourishing of democracy.鈥� A functioning government, independent media, an effective system of checks and balances and an independent judiciary are also hallmarks of a 鈥渇ull democracy,鈥� according to the study.

Ranking ahead of Canada on the Democracy Index, from first place to fifth, were Norway, Iceland, Sweden, New Zealand and Denmark.

Canada was one of four countries that earned full marks for civil liberties, joined by New Zealand, Australia and Ireland.

鈥淐anada has scored consistently well in the Democracy Index, thanks to its history of stable, democratic government,鈥� the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) wrote, noting its high scores for civil liberties, electoral process and functioning of government.

On civil liberties, the index reported that 鈥渇reedom of expression and religious and cultural tolerance are supported by the Canadian state, which is important given Canada鈥檚 large French-Canadian and native minorities.鈥� It also noted that 鈥渁ll Canadians enjoy equality under the law.鈥�

Despite this assessment,聽the index found that there is room for improvement in Canada when it comes to political participation, a problem the EIU said many developed nations share. Canada earned a score of 7.78 in the category, which was its lowest among the five categories.

The EIU pointed to poor voter turnout, low membership in political parties and a general lack of political engagement as examples of weaknesses on the political participation front.

The Economist Intelligence Unit is the research and analysis wing of The Economist Group, which publishes The Economist magazine.

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