CITIZENS
Key findings
Do citizens have the information and
knowledge that enables them to
evaluate government policies?
knowledge that enables them to
evaluate government policies?
Citizen knowledge scores are composed of a single qualitative assessment [ 
].
Scores and methodology
]. Scores and methodology
CitizensKey findings: Citizens' particpatory competence
Each 
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.
Click country name in list or text for details.
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.Click country name in list or text for details.
Score distribution
10
1
8.7
2
8.7
8.7
7.4
5
7.4
7.4
7.4
Countries in this top group have a well-informed citizenry, typically with high rates of political engagement.
Barring Canada, all are relatively small countries. In most (Iceland, Denmark, Canada, Ireland), citizens' knowledge is highest on issues that affect them most directly.
Governments in several (Sweden, Ireland, New Zealand) actively support the transparent provision of official information. Norway, Iceland, and Sweden have high newspaper circulation rates.
Switzerland's direct democracy system stimulates participation rates.
Barring Canada, all are relatively small countries. In most (Iceland, Denmark, Canada, Ireland), citizens' knowledge is highest on issues that affect them most directly.
Governments in several (Sweden, Ireland, New Zealand) actively support the transparent provision of official information. Norway, Iceland, and Sweden have high newspaper circulation rates.
Switzerland's direct democracy system stimulates participation rates.
6.1
9
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.1
4.9
15
4.9
4.9
4.9
4.9
In this middle group, public knowledge about government policy issues ranges widely, often varying substantially by issue area or social class.
In a number of countries, citizens are on average well-informed (Japan, Luxembourg, South Korea, Austria, Finland). Policy knowledge varies by social status in France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Elections drive political awareness in Australia and France, while Italian citizens focus on major political issues rather than sectoral policy. Dutch citizens often ignore official government information.
Citizens in several countries (Austria, Finland, Japan, Netherlands) are avid consumers of newspapers and public broadcasters' reports. Online information is important in Finland and South Korea.
In a number of countries, citizens are on average well-informed (Japan, Luxembourg, South Korea, Austria, Finland). Policy knowledge varies by social status in France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Elections drive political awareness in Australia and France, while Italian citizens focus on major political issues rather than sectoral policy. Dutch citizens often ignore official government information.
Citizens in several countries (Austria, Finland, Japan, Netherlands) are avid consumers of newspapers and public broadcasters' reports. Online information is important in Finland and South Korea.
3.6
20
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
2.3
29
1.0
30
In this group, citizens' average level of policy understanding is generally low.
In a number of countries (Belgium, Slovakia, Turkey, U.S., Hungary, Greece), thorough knowledge of government affairs is relatively rare.
Scandal and personalities receive more public attention than does policy in the Czech Republic and Poland. Spain’s media reports only superficially on politics.
In Mexico, leaders from the church or media drive opinion, but the public focuses mostly on major issues. Portugal’s citizens view themselves as having relatively low policy knowledge, but average understanding is in fact comparatively high.
In a number of countries (Belgium, Slovakia, Turkey, U.S., Hungary, Greece), thorough knowledge of government affairs is relatively rare.
Scandal and personalities receive more public attention than does policy in the Czech Republic and Poland. Spain’s media reports only superficially on politics.
In Mexico, leaders from the church or media drive opinion, but the public focuses mostly on major issues. Portugal’s citizens view themselves as having relatively low policy knowledge, but average understanding is in fact comparatively high.
Rationale
Good democratic governance presupposes active participation by informed citizens.
This criterion assesses the extent to which citizens have information enabling them to adequately evaluate government policy-making.
A high level of knowledge is used as an indication that citizens are likely to understand the motives, objectives, effects and implications of policies.