Governance Decline Among Top-Rated Countries - Insights & Data from World Economics

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Governance Decline Among Top-Rated Countries

Over the past decade, many countries within the A-grade category have significantly declined on the World Economics Governance Index.

Largest percentage fall in A-grade Countries 2016-2026
Index: 0-100. 0=Poor, 100=As good as it gets

Country							2016		2026		Decline
Hong Kong							72.0		56.0		-16.0%
United States							84.8		73.3		-11.5%
Malta							76.0		65.6		-10.4%
Chile							80.5		71.3		-9.2%
New Zealand							98.9		90.8		-8.1%
Cyprus							75.5		67.5		-8.0%
Canada							93.8		87.1		-6.7%
Poland							75.3		69.2		-6.1%
Belgium							89.9		84.2		-5.7%
Costa Rica							76.5		71.1		-5.4%

Country	2016	2026	Decline
Hong Kong	72.0	56.0	-16%
United States	84.8	73.3	-12%
Malta	76.0	65.6	-10%
Chile	80.5	71.3	-9%
New Zealand	98.9	90.8	-8%
Cyprus	75.5	67.5	-8%
Canada	93.8	87.1	-7%
Poland	75.3	69.2	-6%
Belgium	89.9	84.2	-6%
Costa Rica	76.5	71.1	-5%

Source: World Economics Governance Index, 2026

In the table above, Malta, Chile and Costa Rica were demoted to B-grade and Hong Kong to C-grade over this period. Despite the USA’s large fall, it remains A-grade – though it is also very close to being demoted to B-grade.

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