Singapore has once again been ranked the best-governed country in the world, topping the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) 2025 for the fourth time since the Index was launched in 2021.
The report shows that Singapore has widened the gap with its closest competitors as it continues to improve year after year.
Denmark and Norway held on to their second and third positions respectively. Denmark, in particular, has made steady progress, moving from 6th place in 2021 to 2nd in 2025 after improving its scores in six of the Index’s seven pillars.
European countries continued to dominate the rankings, taking 13 of the top 20 spots. Northern Europe performed especially well, with Finland and Sweden rounding out the top five.
The Asia-Pacific region also featured strongly, with Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea joining Singapore in the top 20.
In a notable shift, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) entered the global top 10 for the first time, climbing from 14th in 2024 to 9th this year. The UAE’s biggest gains came in Financial Stewardship, making it the only Middle Eastern country in the top 20.
The United States dropped two places to rank 23rd in 2025, making it one of two G7 countries outside the top 20. The country scored well in most areas but was dragged down by weaknesses in Spending Efficiency, Budget Surplus, and the Helping People Rise pillar, which measures outcomes such as safety, equality, and income distribution.
Meanwhile, Lithuania was highlighted as a rising performer, moving steadily from 30th in 2021 to 25th in 2025.
The CGGI noted that the top 20 has remained largely stable over the past five years, with 18 countries maintaining their positions in the group.
“Good government is never a matter of chance,” the report stated. “It is built through strong institutions, capable systems, skilled leadership, and a culture of integrity and excellence.”
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