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British research center “The Economist Intelligence Unit”, which is the analytical unit of British magazine “The Economist”, published its annual report on the condition of democracy in the world "Democracy Index 2012."

According to the research, Armenia surpasses Azerbaijan in all indexes. Thus, Armenia is ranked among the countries with a "hybrid regimes", and Azerbaijan is authoritarian. Armenia occupies 114th place among 167 countries, and Azerbaijan is on 139th place.

The ratings are based on a study of 167 countries of the world, and are allocated in four categories: full democracy, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes and authoritarian regimes.

The study was conducted on five basic criteria, the amount of which makes the overall assessment of the country: the electoral process and pluralism in the country, functioning of the government, political participation, political culture and civil liberties.

None of the countries of the former Soviet Union entered in the category of "full democracy". The Baltic states, as well as Moldova (67th rank) entered into the group of "flawed democracies". In the " hybrid regimes " were included Ukraine (80), Georgia (93), and Armenia. Russia (122nd place), Belarus (141st) and Azerbaijan (139th) from the former Soviet Union were included in the category of "authoritarian regimes".

Turkey in this ranking is on the 88th place, Iran on the 158th.

Norway is leading the rating, then follow Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Canada, Finland, and the Netherlands. The rating complete Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Chad, Guinea-Bissau and North Korea.