New 2023 Chandler Good Government Index Sees Asian Governments Delivering Better Performance

Click here to explore the 2023 Chandler Good Government Index country rankings and report

‍

‍Singapore, 26 April 2023: The Chandler Institute of Governance has today published its third annual Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) report and country rankings. Drawing on data from 35 indicators across seven governance pillars, this year’s CGGI provides a snapshot of government capability in 104 countries (covering 90% of the world’s population) and serves as a comprehensive analytical tool to improve government performance through clear, actionable data.

In a challenging global context, the 2023 CGGI rankings have produced some significant movements that reinforce emerging global trends. Most strikingly, Singapore has emerged as the strongest performer in the rankings, unseating Finland from its 2-year lead in the Index and leapfrogging Switzerland in the process. After Singapore, Northern European nations dominate the top end of the Index with New Zealand taking the final spot in the top ten. Other noteworthy movers in this year’s rankings were the United States (up four places to 14th); the United Arab Emirates (up four places to 20th); and Vietnam (up seven places to 49th).

The top 10 countries in this year’s edition of the Index are as follows:

The Index – developed by government practitioners, for government practitioners – has been designed to be a practical tool for enhancing good governance. It enables governments, with their own unique economic and political situations, to assess and benchmark their capabilities and performance. The Index report provides analyses and examples of relevant and impactful policy and effective service delivery around the world.

Key Findings of the 2023 CGGI:

• A number of Asian countries have made gains in the ranking, demonstrating improved public sector capabilities and performance. Asian climbers include Singapore, Japan,Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Cambodia, and South Korea.
• Middle-income countries have experienced the greatest movement in the rankings.Some of the biggest improvers in 2023 are Vietnam, North Macedonia, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Kenya.
• The most reliable predictors of overall good governance are the CGGI indicators capturing the Rule of Law, Ethical Leadership, and Property Rights. This was also true for our 2022 and 2021 data, illustrating how fundamental these three components of government are to delivering effective governance.
• Good government is closely correlated with several important outcomes, that are national goals and priorities for many countries:
  o CGGI scores were strongly correlated with reducing extreme inequality. This suggests that well-governed countries are better prepared to achieve shared prosperity, and fairer and more inclusive societies.
  o CGGI scores were strongly correlated with effective response and adaptation to crises, as measured by the INFORM Risk Index. Singapore, Finland, and Norway show the strongest capacity to manage risks posed by the polycrisis.
  o Correlation between CGGI scores and the Fragile States Index shows that well governed countries are more likely to have developed greater resilience to prepare for a polycrisis. This relationship is true regardless of their income level, population size, or geographic position.

This year’s Chandler Good Government Index explores why good governance is even more critical today as governments navigate the ‘polycrisis’. With countries across the world facing down the compounding impacts of war, climate shocks, a deadly pandemic, a refugee crisis, and rampant inflation, the report’s authors explore several difficult questions: How are governments coping with relentless change and uncertainty? How do they balance the need to maintain stability while adapting to a world in flux? How can they identify the most important capabilities required for effective 21st Century government, and then assess their own government’s strengths and weaknesses? Finally, even with that knowledge, how should they prioritise improvement efforts given inevitable resource constraints?

WU Wei Neng, Executive Director of the Chandler Institute of Governance said,

“We designed the Chandler Good Government Index to inspire and inform national leaders around the world in our shared quest to deliver better government, and with it, better outcomes for citizens and businesses. Our Index methodology focuses on technocratic capabilities and skills, rather than political ideologies. We want the CGGI to be a practical tool to support more effective governance and public service delivery for all countries, regardless of their system of government or income level. It is encouraging to see positive movement in the rankings amongst middle-income countries, and a number of countries in Asia. In this context, the CGGI can support a globally inclusive conversation on what good governance is and how to achieve it, with a range of perspectives from around the world. Such conversations are timely at this critical juncture.”

‍

Christian BASON, Chief Executive Officer of the Danish Design Centre and Member of the CGGI Global Advisory Panel said,

“One of the most striking findings of this year’s CGGI is the enduring key role of ethical leadership. It points to the responsibility of public decision-makers of all walks to uphold high standards of integrity and to empathise with the citizens and societies they work for. It ultimately concerns whether you serve yourself, or you serve the people that have vested you with power. Ethical leadership should however also be seen in the wider context of leadership and foresight. Perhaps most important at a time of polycrisis is the ability to collaboratively foster new visions of what a good society looks like. After all, if you can imagine it, then you can design it.”

‍

LAUNCH

The report was released during an online global launch on Wednesday 26th April at 5.30pm (SGT) / 10.30am (BST) / 5.30am (EDT).

The following panellists spoke at the launch event:

• Alun EVANS CBE, Founder, ATBE Consulting, Former Head of Strategic Communications at 10 Downing Street, Government of the UK

• Anne-Marie SLAUGHTER, CEO, New America

• ANG Swee Hui, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Professional), Ministry of Health, Government of Brunei

• Manu BHASKARAN, Partner, Centennial Group International

• Melissa LOW, Research Fellow, Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore (NUS)

NOTES TO EDITORS

About the Chandler Good Government Index 2023 (CGGI)

The CGGI measures the governance capabilities and public sector effectiveness of 104 countries – approximately 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 – of which almost 40% are quantitative data sources. Importantly, the CGGI is constructed with a non-partisan and non-ideological worldview, and focuses on operational factors, planning capabilities, strategic foresight, and governance outcomes. This makes the Index results more relevant to a wider range of countries, regardless of their income level, political system, and culture.

For more information on the Chandler Good Government Index and the 2022 Country Rankings, please visit chandlergovernmentindex.com after the 2022 launch event.

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 programmes, technical projects and partnerships, and knowledge creation and sharing.

‍

For more news and information, visit https://www.chandlerinstitute.org/ or follow CIG on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn @ChandlerINST

‍

MEDIA CONTACT

Dominic GABRIEL
+65 8183 2959
Email: Dominic.Gabriel@Chandlerinstitute.org

Jonathan McClory
+44 7341 510 953
Email: jonathan.mcclory@sanctuarycounsel.com

Kitty Ryder
+44 7786 386 621
Email: kitty.ryder@sanctuarycounsel.com

‍