2024 Chandler Good Government Index: Asia Focus

25 June 2024 – The Chandler Good Government Index (The “CGGI”, or the “Index”) publishes its first regional release today, with a focus on Asia’s performance in the 2024 CGGI, following the global launch of the fourth edition of the Index on 15 May 2024.

Spotlight on Asia

22 Asian countries, out of 113 globally are represented in the 2024 CGGI. Here are the regional rankings:

Within the region, South-East Asian countries take most the spots in the Top 10. East Asia follows closely, driven by the strong performance of countries such as South Korea, Japan and China. However, the performance of South Asian countries has generally lagged behind other countries in the region.

Asia’s 2024 Performance on the Global Stage

Singapore and South Korea are represented within the top 20 on the global rankings, while four other Asian countries – Japan, China, Malaysia and Georgia – are within the top 40. Asia’s biggest improvers are Vietnam and Mongolia, with both countries having risen 8 places in the global rankings since 2021.

Asian countries displayed a strong performance in the Financial Stewardship pillar compared to countries from other regions. This pillar measures capabilities in areas such as managing government debt, and government spending efficiency. However, Asia performs less well in the pillars for Global Influence and Reputation, and Attractive Marketplace, when compared to other regions.

A Growing Governance Gap; East Asia Bucks the Trend

With four years of time series data since the CGGI’s first edition in 2021, there are some notable trends and trajectories observed. Interestingly, country performance, by regions, falls into four distinct bands. The performance gaps between these bands are generally persisting over time and show little convergence. Worryingly, the Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia – both already the weakest performing regions – have further declined in the last four years. This suggests that there is a growing “Governance Gap” across the world.

East Asia appears to be an exception to the trend. It is the only region in the world that has demonstrated consistent and remarkable year-on-year improvements, effectively closing the gap with the first band of top performing countries.

Comprising four countries, East Asia’s continued improvement is largely due to strong performance by China and Mongolia over the last 4 years. Both countries have improved significantly in the Leadership and Foresight, and Attractive Marketplace pillars.

About the 2024 CGGI

In a year fraught with crisis and conflict, as well as the uncertainty of elections and potential

political transitions, it can be challenging to focus on the long-term good. The 2024 Index Report examines how good governments are also better prepared for future challenges and opportunities facing every country around the world, and share more stories of governance in practice.

About the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI)

Developed by the Chandler Institute of Governance, the CGGI measures government capabilities and effectiveness of 113 countries – representing over 90% of the world’s population. The CGGI framework has been developed through extensive research, drawing on interviews with practitioners and experts on what capabilities and characteristics are most important for a government to perform well and deliver good outcomes for citizens and businesses. The 35 indicators are made up of more than 50 metrics. Importantly, the CGGI is constructed with a non-partisan and non-ideological worldview, and focuses on the capabilities that governments must develop so as to build stronger and more prosperous nations. This makes the index results more relevant to a wider range of countries, regardless of their income level, political system, and culture.

For any enquiries, please email info@chandlergovernmentindex.org

About the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG)

CIG is an international non-profit organisation, headquartered in Singapore. CIG is a partner to governments, supporting them in building strong nations for the next generation through training, hands-on projects and partnerships, and knowledge creation and sharing.