The Democracy Index (DI) is an index compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a UK-based company.
The Economist Intelligence Unit (The EIU) is the research and analysis division of The Economist Group, the sister company to The Economist newspaper.
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index provides a snapshot of the state of democracy worldwide in 165 independent states and two territories.
The index was first published in 2006, with updates for 2008, 2010 and later years.
The index is based on 60 indicators grouped in five different categories, measuring pluralism, civil liberties and political culture.
In addition to a numeric score and a ranking, the index categorises each country in one of four regime types: full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes and authoritarian regimes.
Source: The Economist Intelligence Unit
| Type of Regime | Score | Countries | Countries % | Population % |
| Full Democracies | 8 < s | 20 | 12.0 | 4.5 |
| Flawed Democracies | 6 < s ≤ 8 | 55 | 32.9 | 43.2 |
| Hybrid Democracies | 4 < s ≤ 6 | 39 | 23.4 | 16.7 |
| Authoritarian Regimes | s ≤ 4 | 53 | 31.7 | 35.6 |
Democracy Index 2018 – Full List
| Rank | Country | Score | Electoral process and pluralism | Functioning of government | Political Participation | Political Culture | Civil Liberties | Regime Type | Continent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway | 9.87 | 10 | 9.64 | 10 | 10 | 9.71 | Full democracy | Europe |
| 2 | Iceland | 9.58 | 10 | 9.29 | 8.89 | 10 | 9.71 | Full democracy | Europe |
| 3 | Sweden | 9.39 | 9.58 | 9.64 | 8.33 | 10 | 9.41 | Full democracy | Europe |
| 4 | New Zealand | 9.26 | 10 | 9.29 | 8.89 | 8.13 | 10 | Full democracy | Oceania |
| 5 | Denmark | 9.22 | 10 | 9.29 | 8.33 | 9.38 | 9.12 | Full democracy | Europe |
| 6 | Ireland | 9.15 | 9.58 | 7.86 | 8.33 | 10 | 10 | Full democracy | Europe |
| 7 | Canada | 9.15 | 9.58 | 9.64 | 7.78 | 8.75 | 10 | Full democracy | North America |
| 8 | Finland | 9.14 | 10 | 8.93 | 8.33 | 8.75 | 9.71 | Full democracy | Europe |
| 9 | Australia | 9.09 | 10 | 8.93 | 7.78 | 8.75 | 10 | Full democracy | Oceania |
| 10 | Switzerland | 9.03 | 9.58 | 9.29 | 7.78 | 9.38 | 9.12 | Full democracy | Europe |
| 11 | Netherlands | 8.89 | 9.58 | 9.29 | 8.33 | 8.13 | 9.12 | Full democracy | Europe |
| 12 | Luxembourg | 8.81 | 10 | 8.93 | 6.67 | 8.75 | 9.71 | Full democracy | Europe |
| 13 | Germany | 8.68 | 9.58 | 8.57 | 8.33 | 7.5 | 9.41 | Full democracy | Europe |
| 14 | United Kingdom | 8.53 | 9.58 | 7.5 | 8.33 | 8.13 | 9.12 | Full democracy | Europe |
| 15 | Uruguay | 8.38 | 10 | 8.57 | 6.11 | 7.5 | 9.71 | Full democracy | South America |
| 16 | Austria | 8.29 | 9.58 | 7.86 | 8.33 | 6.88 | 8.82 | Full democracy | Europe |
| 17 | Mauritius | 8.22 | 9.17 | 8.21 | 5.56 | 8.75 | 9.41 | Full democracy | Africa |
| 18 | Malta | 8.21 | 9.17 | 8.21 | 6.11 | 8.75 | 8.82 | Full democracy | Europe |
| 19 | Spain | 8.08 | 9.17 | 7.14 | 7.78 | 7.5 | 8.82 | Full democracy | Europe |
| 20 | Costa Rica | 8.07 | 9.58 | 7.5 | 6.67 | 7.5 | 9.12 | Full democracy | North America |
| 21 | South Korea | 8 | 9.17 | 7.86 | 7.22 | 7.5 | 8.24 | Flawed democracy | Asia |
| 22 | Japan | 7.99 | 8.75 | 8.21 | 6.67 | 7.5 | 8.82 | Flawed democracy | Asia |
| 23 | Chile | 7.97 | 9.58 | 8.57 | 4.44 | 8.13 | 9.12 | Flawed democracy | South America |
| 24 | Estonia | 7.97 | 9.58 | 8.21 | 6.67 | 6.88 | 8.53 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 25 | United States | 7.96 | 9.17 | 7.14 | 7.78 | 7.5 | 8.24 | Flawed democracy | North America |
| 26 | Cape Verde | 7.88 | 9.17 | 7.86 | 6.67 | 6.88 | 8.82 | Flawed democracy | Africa |
| 27 | Portugal | 7.84 | 9.58 | 7.5 | 6.11 | 6.88 | 9.12 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 28 | Botswana | 7.81 | 9.17 | 7.14 | 6.11 | 7.5 | 9.12 | Flawed democracy | Africa |
| 29 | France | 7.8 | 9.58 | 7.5 | 7.78 | 5.63 | 8.53 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 30 | Israel | 7.79 | 9.17 | 7.5 | 8.89 | 7.5 | 5.88 | Flawed democracy | Asia |
| 31 | Belgium | 7.78 | 9.58 | 8.93 | 5 | 6.88 | 8.53 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 32 | Taiwan | 7.73 | 9.58 | 8.21 | 6.11 | 5.63 | 9.12 | Flawed democracy | Asia |
| 33 | Italy | 7.71 | 9.58 | 6.07 | 7.78 | 6.88 | 8.24 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 34 | Czech Republic | 7.69 | 9.58 | 6.79 | 6.67 | 6.88 | 8.53 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 35 | Cyprus | 7.59 | 9.17 | 6.43 | 6.67 | 6.88 | 8.82 | Flawed democracy | Asia |
| 36 | Slovenia | 7.5 | 9.58 | 6.79 | 6.67 | 6.25 | 8.24 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 37 | Lithuania | 7.5 | 9.58 | 6.43 | 6.11 | 6.25 | 9.12 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 38 | Latvia | 7.38 | 9.58 | 6.07 | 5.56 | 6.88 | 8.82 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 39 | Greece | 7.29 | 9.58 | 5.36 | 6.11 | 6.88 | 8.53 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 40 | South Africa | 7.24 | 7.42 | 7.5 | 8.33 | 5 | 7.94 | Flawed democracy | Africa |
| 41 | India | 7.23 | 9.17 | 6.79 | 7.22 | 5.63 | 7.35 | Flawed democracy | Asia |
| 42 | Timor-Leste | 7.19 | 9.08 | 6.79 | 5.56 | 6.88 | 7.65 | Flawed democracy | Asia |
| 43 | Trinidad and Tobago | 7.16 | 9.58 | 7.14 | 6.11 | 5.63 | 7.35 | Flawed democracy | North America |
| 44 | Slovakia | 7.1 | 9.58 | 6.79 | 5.56 | 5.63 | 7.94 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 45 | Panama | 7.05 | 9.58 | 6.07 | 6.67 | 5 | 7.94 | Flawed democracy | North America |
| 46 | Bulgaria | 7.03 | 9.17 | 6.43 | 7.22 | 4.38 | 7.94 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 47 | Argentina | 7.02 | 9.17 | 5.36 | 6.11 | 6.25 | 8.24 | Flawed democracy | South America |
| 48 | Jamaica | 7.02 | 8.75 | 7.14 | 4.44 | 6.25 | 8.53 | Flawed democracy | North America |
| 49 | Suriname | 6.98 | 9.17 | 6.43 | 6.67 | 5 | 7.65 | Flawed democracy | South America |
| 50 | Brazil | 6.97 | 9.58 | 5.36 | 6.67 | 5 | 8.24 | Flawed democracy | South America |
| 51 | Colombia | 6.96 | 9.17 | 6.79 | 5 | 5.63 | 8.24 | Flawed democracy | South America |
| 52 | Malaysia | 6.88 | 7.75 | 7.86 | 6.67 | 6.25 | 5.88 | Flawed democracy | Asia |
| 53 | Philippines | 6.71 | 9.17 | 5.71 | 7.22 | 4.38 | 7.06 | Flawed democracy | Asia |
| 54 | Poland | 6.67 | 9.17 | 6.07 | 6.11 | 4.38 | 7.65 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 55 | Guyana | 6.67 | 9.17 | 5.71 | 6.11 | 5 | 7.35 | Flawed democracy | South America |
| 56 | Lesotho | 6.64 | 9.17 | 5 | 6.67 | 5.63 | 6.76 | Flawed democracy | Africa |
| 57 | Ghana | 6.63 | 8.33 | 5.71 | 6.67 | 6.25 | 6.18 | Flawed democracy | Africa |
| 58 | Hungary | 6.63 | 8.75 | 6.07 | 5 | 6.25 | 7.06 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 59 | Peru | 6.6 | 9.17 | 5 | 5.56 | 5.63 | 7.65 | Flawed democracy | South America |
| 60 | Croatia | 6.57 | 9.17 | 6.07 | 5.56 | 5 | 7.06 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 61 | Dominican Republic | 6.54 | 9.17 | 5.36 | 6.11 | 5 | 7.06 | Flawed democracy | North America |
| 62 | Mongolia | 6.5 | 9.17 | 5.71 | 5.56 | 5 | 7.06 | Flawed democracy | Asia |
| 63 | Serbia | 6.41 | 8.25 | 5.36 | 6.11 | 5 | 7.35 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 64 | Tunisia | 6.41 | 6.42 | 5.71 | 7.78 | 6.25 | 5.88 | Flawed democracy | Africa |
| 65 | Indonesia | 6.39 | 6.92 | 7.14 | 6.67 | 5.63 | 5.59 | Flawed democracy | Asia |
| 66 | Singapore | 6.38 | 4.33 | 7.86 | 6.11 | 6.25 | 7.35 | Flawed democracy | Asia |
| 67 | Romania | 6.38 | 9.17 | 5.71 | 5 | 4.38 | 7.65 | Flawed democracy | Europe |
| 68 | Ecuador | 6.27 | 8.75 | 5.36 | 6.11 | 4.38 | 6.76 | Flawed democracy | South America |
| 69 | Namibia | 6.25 | 5.67 | 5.36 | 6.67 | 5.63 | 7.94 | Flawed democracy | Africa |
| 70 | Paraguay | 6.24 | 8.75 | 5.71 | 5 | 4.38 | 7.35 | Flawed democracy | South America |
| 71 | Sri Lanka | 6.19 | 7.83 | 5.71 | 5 | 6.25 | 6.18 | Flawed democracy | Asia |
| 72 | Mexico | 6.19 | 8.33 | 6.07 | 7.22 | 3.13 | 6.18 | Flawed democracy | North America |
| 73 | Hong Kong | 6.15 | 3.08 | 6.07 | 5.56 | 7.5 | 8.53 | Flawed democracy | Asia |
| 74 | Senegal | 6.15 | 7.5 | 6.07 | 4.44 | 6.25 | 6.47 | Flawed democracy | Africa |
| 75 | Papua New Guinea | 6.03 | 6.92 | 6.07 | 3.89 | 5.63 | 7.65 | Flawed democracy | Oceania |
| 76 | Albania | 5.98 | 7 | 4.71 | 5.56 | 5 | 7.65 | Hybrid regime | Europe |
| 77 | El Salvador | 5.96 | 9.17 | 4.29 | 5.56 | 3.75 | 7.06 | Hybrid regime | North America |
| 78 | North Macedonia | 5.87 | 6.5 | 5.36 | 6.67 | 3.75 | 7.06 | Hybrid regime | Europe |
| 79 | Moldova | 5.85 | 7.08 | 4.64 | 6.11 | 4.38 | 7.06 | Hybrid regime | Europe |
| 80 | Fiji | 5.85 | 6.58 | 5.36 | 6.11 | 5.63 | 5.59 | Hybrid regime | Oceania |
| 81 | Montenegro | 5.74 | 6.08 | 5.36 | 6.11 | 4.38 | 6.76 | Hybrid regime | Europe |
| 82 | Benin | 5.74 | 6.5 | 5.71 | 5 | 5.63 | 5.88 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 83 | Bolivia | 5.7 | 7.5 | 4.64 | 5.56 | 3.75 | 7.06 | Hybrid regime | South America |
| 84 | Ukraine | 5.69 | 6.17 | 3.21 | 6.67 | 6.25 | 6.18 | Hybrid regime | Europe |
| 85 | Honduras | 5.63 | 8.5 | 4.64 | 4.44 | 4.38 | 6.18 | Hybrid regime | North America |
| 86 | Zambia | 5.61 | 6.17 | 4.64 | 3.89 | 6.88 | 6.47 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 87 | Guatemala | 5.6 | 7.92 | 5.36 | 3.89 | 4.38 | 6.47 | Hybrid regime | North America |
| 88 | Bangladesh | 5.57 | 7.83 | 5.07 | 5.56 | 4.38 | 5 | Hybrid regime | Asia |
| 89 | Georgia | 5.5 | 7.83 | 3.57 | 6.11 | 4.38 | 5.59 | Hybrid regime | Europe/Asia |
| 90 | Malawi | 5.49 | 6.58 | 4.29 | 4.44 | 6.25 | 5.88 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 91 | Tanzania | 5.41 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5.63 | 4.41 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 92 | Mali | 5.41 | 7.42 | 3.93 | 3.89 | 5.63 | 6.18 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 93 | Liberia | 5.35 | 7.42 | 2.57 | 5.56 | 5.63 | 5.59 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 94 | Bhutan | 5.3 | 8.75 | 6.79 | 2.78 | 4.38 | 3.82 | Hybrid regime | Asia |
| 95 | Madagascar | 5.22 | 6.08 | 3.57 | 6.11 | 5.63 | 4.71 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 96 | Uganda | 5.2 | 5.25 | 3.57 | 4.44 | 6.88 | 5.88 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 97 | Nepal | 5.18 | 4.33 | 5.36 | 5 | 5.63 | 5.59 | Hybrid regime | Asia |
| 98 | Kenya | 5.11 | 3.5 | 5.36 | 6.67 | 5.63 | 4.41 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 99 | Kyrgyzstan | 5.11 | 6.58 | 2.93 | 6.67 | 4.38 | 5 | Hybrid regime | Asia |
| 100 | Morocco | 4.99 | 5.25 | 4.64 | 5 | 5.63 | 4.41 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 101 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 4.98 | 6.5 | 2.93 | 5.56 | 3.75 | 6.18 | Hybrid regime | Europe |
| 102 | Haiti | 4.91 | 5.58 | 2.93 | 3.89 | 6.25 | 5.88 | Hybrid regime | North America |
| 103 | Armenia | 4.79 | 5.67 | 4.64 | 5.56 | 2.5 | 5.59 | Hybrid regime | Asia |
| 104 | Burkina Faso | 4.75 | 4.42 | 4.29 | 4.44 | 5.63 | 5 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 105 | Sierra Leone | 4.66 | 6.58 | 1.86 | 3.33 | 6.25 | 5.29 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 106 | Lebanon | 4.63 | 3.92 | 2.21 | 6.67 | 5.63 | 4.71 | Hybrid regime | Asia |
| 107 | Thailand | 4.63 | 3 | 4.29 | 5 | 5 | 5.88 | Hybrid regime | Asia |
| 108 | Nigeria | 4.44 | 6.08 | 4.64 | 3.33 | 3.75 | 4.41 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 109 | Palestine | 4.39 | 3.83 | 2.14 | 7.78 | 4.38 | 3.82 | Hybrid regime | Asia |
| 110 | Turkey | 4.37 | 4.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.35 | Hybrid regime | Europe/Asia |
| 111 | Gambia | 4.31 | 4.48 | 4.29 | 3.33 | 5.63 | 3.82 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 112 | Pakistan | 4.17 | 6.08 | 5.36 | 2.22 | 2.5 | 4.71 | Hybrid regime | Asia |
| 113 | Ivory Coast | 4.15 | 4.83 | 2.86 | 3.33 | 5.63 | 4.12 | Hybrid regime | Africa |
| 114 | Iraq | 4.06 | 4.75 | 0.07 | 6.67 | 5 | 3.82 | Hybrid regime | Asia |
| 115 | Jordan | 3.93 | 3.58 | 4.29 | 3.89 | 4.38 | 3.53 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 116 | Mozambique | 3.85 | 3.58 | 2.14 | 5 | 5 | 3.53 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 117 | Kuwait | 3.85 | 3.17 | 4.29 | 3.89 | 4.38 | 3.53 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 118 | Myanmar | 3.83 | 3.67 | 3.93 | 3.89 | 5.63 | 2.06 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 119 | Mauritania | 3.82 | 3 | 3.57 | 5 | 3.13 | 4.41 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 120 | Niger | 3.76 | 5.25 | 1.14 | 3.33 | 4.38 | 4.71 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 121 | Comoros | 3.71 | 4.33 | 2.21 | 4.44 | 3.75 | 3.82 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 122 | Nicaragua | 3.63 | 2.67 | 1.86 | 3.89 | 5.63 | 4.12 | Authoritarian | North America |
| 123 | Angola | 3.62 | 1.75 | 2.86 | 5.56 | 5 | 2.94 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 124 | Gabon | 3.61 | 2.58 | 2.21 | 4.44 | 5 | 3.82 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 125 | Cambodia | 3.59 | 1.33 | 5 | 2.78 | 5.63 | 3.24 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 126 | Algeria | 3.5 | 2.58 | 2.21 | 3.89 | 5 | 3.82 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 127 | Egypt | 3.36 | 3.58 | 3.21 | 3.33 | 3.75 | 2.94 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 128 | Ethiopia | 3.35 | 0 | 3.57 | 5.56 | 5 | 2.65 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 129 | Rwanda | 3.35 | 1.67 | 5 | 2.78 | 4.38 | 2.94 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 130 | China | 3.32 | 0 | 5 | 3.89 | 6.25 | 1.47 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 131 | Republic of the Congo | 3.31 | 3.17 | 2.5 | 3.89 | 3.75 | 3.24 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 132 | Cameroon | 3.28 | 3.17 | 2.86 | 3.33 | 4.38 | 2.65 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 133 | Qatar | 3.19 | 0 | 4.29 | 2.22 | 5.63 | 3.82 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 134 | Zimbabwe | 3.16 | 0.5 | 2 | 4.44 | 5.63 | 3.24 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 135 | Venezuela | 3.16 | 1.67 | 1.79 | 4.44 | 4.38 | 3.53 | Authoritarian | South America |
| 136 | Guinea | 3.14 | 3.5 | 0.43 | 4.44 | 4.38 | 2.94 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 137 | Belarus | 3.13 | 0.92 | 2.86 | 3.89 | 5.63 | 2.35 | Authoritarian | Europe |
| 138 | Togo | 3.1 | 3.17 | 0.79 | 3.33 | 5 | 3.24 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 139 | Vietnam | 3.08 | 0 | 3.21 | 3.89 | 5.63 | 2.65 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 140 | Oman | 3.04 | 0 | 3.93 | 2.78 | 4.38 | 4.12 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 141 | Eswatini | 3.03 | 0.92 | 2.86 | 2.22 | 5.63 | 3.53 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 142 | Cuba | 3 | 1.08 | 3.57 | 3.33 | 4.38 | 2.65 | Authoritarian | North America |
| 143 | Afghanistan | 2.97 | 2.92 | 1.14 | 4.44 | 2.5 | 3.82 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 144 | Kazakhstan | 2.94 | 0.5 | 2.14 | 4.44 | 4.38 | 3.24 | Authoritarian | Europe/Asia |
| 145 | Russia | 2.94 | 2.17 | 1.79 | 5 | 2.5 | 3.24 | Authoritarian | Europe/Asia |
| 146 | Djibouti | 2.87 | 0.42 | 1.79 | 3.89 | 5.63 | 2.65 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 147 | United Arab Emirates | 2.76 | 0 | 3.93 | 2.22 | 5 | 2.65 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 148 | Bahrain | 2.71 | 0.83 | 3.21 | 2.78 | 4.38 | 2.35 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 149 | Azerbaijan | 2.65 | 0.5 | 2.14 | 3.33 | 3.75 | 3.53 | Authoritarian | Europe/Asia |
| 150 | Iran | 2.45 | 0 | 3.21 | 4.44 | 3.13 | 1.47 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 151 | Eritrea | 2.37 | 0 | 2.14 | 1.67 | 6.88 | 1.18 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 152 | Laos | 2.37 | 0.83 | 2.86 | 1.67 | 5 | 1.47 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 153 | Burundi | 2.33 | 0 | 0.43 | 3.89 | 5 | 2.35 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 154 | Libya | 2.19 | 1 | 0.36 | 1.67 | 5 | 2.94 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 155 | Sudan | 2.15 | 0 | 1.79 | 2.78 | 5 | 1.18 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 156 | Uzbekistan | 2.01 | 0.08 | 1.86 | 2.22 | 5 | 0.88 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 157 | Guinea-Bissau | 1.98 | 1.67 | 0 | 2.78 | 3.13 | 2.35 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 158 | Yemen | 1.95 | 0 | 0 | 3.89 | 5 | 0.88 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 159 | Saudi Arabia | 1.93 | 0 | 2.86 | 2.22 | 3.13 | 1.47 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 160 | Tajikistan | 1.93 | 0.08 | 0.79 | 1.67 | 6.25 | 0.88 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 161 | Equatorial Guinea | 1.92 | 0 | 0.43 | 3.33 | 4.38 | 1.47 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 162 | Turkmenistan | 1.72 | 0 | 0.79 | 2.22 | 5 | 0.59 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 163 | Chad | 1.61 | 0 | 0 | 1.67 | 3.75 | 2.65 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 164 | Central African Republic | 1.52 | 2.25 | 0 | 1.11 | 1.88 | 2.35 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 165 | Congo Dr | 1.49 | 0.5 | 0.71 | 2.22 | 3.13 | 0.88 | Authoritarian | Africa |
| 166 | Syria | 1.43 | 0 | 0 | 2.78 | 4.38 | 0 | Authoritarian | Asia |
| 167 | North Korea | 1.08 | 0 | 2.5 | 1.67 | 1.25 | 0 | Authoritarian | Asia |
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