Countries
Mapped: The World’s Legal Government Systems
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Mapping The World’s Legal Government Systems
With over 200 countries existing across the world with unique cultures and traditions, one might assume that there are hundreds of types of government systems. But both historically and in modern times, that’s not the case.
Even while political regimes across these countries have changed over time, they’ve largely followed a few different types of governance. Today, every country can ultimately be classified into just nine broad forms of government systems.
This map by Truman Du uses information from Wikipedia to map the government systems that rule the world today.
Countries By Type of Government
It’s important to note that this map charts government systems according to each country’s legal framework.
Many countries have constitutions stating their de jure or legally recognized system of government, but their de facto or realized form of governance may be quite different.
Here is a list of the stated government system of UN member states and observers as of January 2023:
Country | Constitutional form | Head of state |
---|---|---|
Afghanistan | Provisional | n/a |
Albania | Republic | Ceremonial |
Algeria | Republic | Executive |
Andorra | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Angola | Republic | Executive |
Antigua and Barbuda | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Argentina | Republic | Executive |
Armenia | Republic | Ceremonial |
Australia | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Austria | Republic | Ceremonial |
Azerbaijan | Republic | Executive |
Bahamas, The | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Bahrain | Constitutional monarchy | Executive |
Bangladesh | Republic | Ceremonial |
Barbados | Republic | Ceremonial |
Belarus | Republic | Executive |
Belgium | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Belize | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Benin | Republic | Executive |
Bhutan | Constitutional monarchy | Executive |
Bolivia | Republic | Executive |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Republic | Ceremonial |
Botswana | Republic | Executive |
Brazil | Republic | Executive |
Brunei | Absolute monarchy | Executive |
Bulgaria | Republic | Ceremonial |
Burkina Faso | Provisional | n/a |
Burundi | Republic | Executive |
Cambodia | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Cameroon | Republic | Executive |
Canada | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Cape Verde | Republic | Executive |
Central African Republic | Republic | Executive |
Chad | Provisional | n/a |
Chile | Republic | Executive |
China, People's Republic of | Republic | Ceremonial |
Colombia | Republic | Executive |
Comoros | Republic | Executive |
Congo, Democratic Republic of the | Republic | Executive |
Congo, Republic of the | Republic | Executive |
Costa Rica | Republic | Executive |
Côte d'Ivoire | Republic | Executive |
Croatia | Republic | Ceremonial |
Cuba | Republic | Executive |
Cyprus | Republic | Executive |
Czech Republic | Republic | Ceremonial |
Denmark | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Djibouti | Republic | Executive |
Dominica | Republic | Ceremonial |
Dominican Republic | Republic | Executive |
East Timor | Republic | Executive |
Ecuador | Republic | Executive |
Egypt | Republic | Executive |
El Salvador | Republic | Executive |
Equatorial Guinea | Republic | Executive |
Eritrea | Republic | Executive |
Estonia | Republic | Ceremonial |
Eswatini | Absolute monarchy | Executive |
Ethiopia | Republic | Ceremonial |
Fiji | Republic | Ceremonial |
Finland | Republic | Ceremonial |
France | Republic | Executive |
Gabon | Republic | Executive |
Gambia, The | Republic | Executive |
Georgia | Republic | Ceremonial |
Germany | Republic | Ceremonial |
Ghana | Republic | Executive |
Greece | Republic | Ceremonial |
Grenada | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Guatemala | Republic | Executive |
Guinea | Provisional | n/a |
Guinea-Bissau | Republic | Executive |
Guyana | Republic | Executive |
Haiti | Republic | Executive |
Honduras | Republic | Executive |
Hungary | Republic | Ceremonial |
Iceland | Republic | Ceremonial |
India | Republic | Ceremonial |
Indonesia | Republic | Executive |
Iran | Republic | Executive |
Iraq | Republic | Ceremonial |
Ireland | Republic | Ceremonial |
Israel | Republic | Ceremonial |
Italy | Republic | Ceremonial |
Jamaica | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Japan | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Jordan | Constitutional monarchy | Executive |
Kazakhstan | Republic | Executive |
Kenya | Republic | Executive |
Kiribati | Republic | Executive |
Kuwait | Constitutional monarchy | Executive |
Kyrgyzstan | Republic | Executive |
Laos | Republic | Executive |
Latvia | Republic | Ceremonial |
Lebanon | Republic | Ceremonial |
Lesotho | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Liberia | Republic | Executive |
Libya | Provisional | n/a |
Liechtenstein | Constitutional monarchy | Executive |
Lithuania | Republic | Executive |
Luxembourg | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Madagascar | Republic | Executive |
Malawi | Republic | Executive |
Malaysia | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Maldives | Republic | Executive |
Mali | Provisional | n/a |
Malta | Republic | Ceremonial |
Marshall Islands | Republic | Executive |
Mauritania | Republic | Executive |
Mauritius | Republic | Ceremonial |
Mexico | Republic | Executive |
Micronesia | Republic | Executive |
Moldova | Republic | Ceremonial |
Monaco | Constitutional monarchy | Executive |
Mongolia | Republic | Executive |
Montenegro | Republic | Ceremonial |
Morocco | Constitutional monarchy | Executive |
Mozambique | Republic | Executive |
Myanmar | Provisional | n/a |
Namibia | Republic | Executive |
Nauru | Republic | Executive |
Nepal | Republic | Ceremonial |
Netherlands | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
New Zealand | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Nicaragua | Republic | Executive |
Niger | Republic | Executive |
Nigeria | Republic | Executive |
North Korea | Republic | Executive |
North Macedonia | Republic | Ceremonial |
Norway | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Oman | Absolute monarchy | Executive |
Pakistan | Republic | Ceremonial |
Palau | Republic | Executive |
Palestine | Republic | Executive |
Panama | Republic | Executive |
Papua New Guinea | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Paraguay | Republic | Executive |
Peru | Republic | Executive |
Philippines | Republic | Executive |
Poland | Republic | Ceremonial |
Portugal | Republic | Executive |
Qatar | Constitutional monarchy | Executive |
Romania | Republic | Executive |
Russia | Republic | Executive |
Rwanda | Republic | Executive |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Saint Lucia | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Samoa | Republic | Ceremonial |
San Marino | Republic | Executive |
São Tomé and Príncipe | Republic | Executive |
Saudi Arabia | Absolute monarchy | Executive |
Senegal | Republic | Executive |
Serbia | Republic | Ceremonial |
Seychelles | Republic | Executive |
Sierra Leone | Republic | Executive |
Singapore | Republic | Ceremonial |
Slovakia | Republic | Ceremonial |
Slovenia | Republic | Ceremonial |
Solomon Islands | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Somalia | Republic | Ceremonial |
South Africa | Republic | Executive |
South Korea | Republic | Executive |
South Sudan | Republic | Executive |
Spain | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Sri Lanka | Republic | Executive |
Sudan | Provisional | n/a |
Suriname | Republic | Executive |
Sweden | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Switzerland | Republic | Executive |
Syria | Republic | Executive |
Tajikistan | Republic | Executive |
Tanzania | Republic | Executive |
Thailand | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Togo | Republic | Executive |
Tonga | Constitutional monarchy | Executive |
Trinidad and Tobago | Republic | Ceremonial |
Tunisia | Republic | Executive |
Turkey | Republic | Executive |
Turkmenistan | Republic | Executive |
Tuvalu | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
Uganda | Republic | Executive |
Ukraine | Republic | Executive |
United Arab Emirates | Constitutional monarchy | Executive |
United Kingdom | Constitutional monarchy | Ceremonial |
United States | Republic | Executive |
Uruguay | Republic | Executive |
Uzbekistan | Republic | Executive |
Vanuatu | Republic | Ceremonial |
Vatican City | Absolute monarchy | Executive |
Venezuela | Republic | Executive |
Vietnam | Republic | Executive |
Yemen | Provisional | n/a |
Zambia | Republic | Executive |
Zimbabwe | Republic | Executive |
Let’s take a closer look at some of these systems.
Monarchies
Brought back into the spotlight after the death of Queen Elizabeth II of England in September 2022, this form of government has a single ruler. They carry titles from king and queen to sultan or emperor, and their government systems can be further divided into three modern types: constitutional, semi-constitutional, and absolute.
A constitutional monarchy sees the monarch act as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, giving them little to no real power. For example, King Charles III is the head of 15 Commonwealth nations including Canada and Australia. However, each has their own head of government.
On the other hand, a semi-constitutional monarchy lets the monarch or ruling royal family retain substantial political powers, as is the case in Jordan and Morocco. However, their monarchs still rule the country according to a democratic constitution and in concert with other institutions.
Finally, an absolute monarchy is most like the monarchies of old, where the ruler has full power over governance, with modern examples including Saudi Arabia and Vatican City.
Republics
Unlike monarchies, the people hold the power in a republic government system, directly electing representatives to form government. Again, there are multiple types of modern republic governments: presidential, semi-presidential, and parliamentary.
The presidential republic could be considered a direct progression from monarchies. This system has a strong and independent chief executive with extensive powers when it comes to domestic affairs and foreign policy. An example of this is the United States, where the President is both the head of state and the head of government.
In a semi-presidential republic, the president is the head of state and has some executive powers that are independent of the legislature. However, the prime minister (or chancellor or equivalent title) is the head of government, responsible to the legislature along with the cabinet. Russia is a classic example of this type of government.
The last type of republic system is parliamentary. In this system, the president is a figurehead, while the head of government holds real power and is validated by and accountable to the parliament. This type of system can be seen in Germany, Italy, and India and is akin to constitutional monarchies.
It’s also important to point out that some parliamentary republic systems operate slightly differently. For example in South Africa, the president is both the head of state and government, but is elected directly by the legislature. This leaves them (and their ministries) potentially subject to parliamentary confidence.
One-Party State
Many of the systems above involve multiple political parties vying to rule and govern their respective countries.
In a one-party state, also called a single-party state or single-party system, only one political party has the right to form government. All other political parties are either outlawed or only allowed limited participation in elections.
In this system, a country’s head of state and head of government can be executive or ceremonial but political power is constitutionally linked to a single political movement. China is the most well-known example of this government system, with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China ruling as the de facto leader since 1989.
Provisional
The final form of government is a provisional government formed as an interim or transitional government.
In this system, an emergency governmental body is created to manage political transitions after the collapse of a government, or when a new state is formed. Often these evolve into fully constitutionalized systems, but sometimes they hold power for longer than expected.
Some examples of countries that are considered provisional include Libya, Burkina Faso, and Chad.

This article was published as a part of Visual Capitalist's Creator Program, which features data-driven visuals from some of our favorite Creators around the world.
Politics
Mapped: The Deadliest Terrorist Attacks in 2024
Terrorism remains a pressing issue globally, with the number of countries recording a terrorist incident increasing from 58 to 66 last year.

Deadliest Terrorist Attacks in 2024
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
Terrorism remains a pressing issue globally, with the number of countries recording a terrorist incident increasing from 58 to 66 last year.
This map visualizes the locations and number of deaths of the 20 most deadly terrorist attacks in 2024.
The data comes from the Institute for Economics & Peace.
Defining Terrorism
The Institute for Economics & Peace follows the Global Terrorism Database’s definition of terrorism, which is “the threatened or actual use of illegal force and violence by a state and non-state actor to attain a political, economic, religious, or social goal through fear, coercion, or intimidation.”
The Global Terrorism Database’s definition also includes the following criteria:
- The violent act was aimed at attaining a political, economic, religious, or social goal;
- The violent act included evidence of an intention to coerce, intimidate, or convey some other message to a larger audience (or audiences) other than the immediate victims; and
- The violent act was outside the precepts of International Humanitarian Law.
Defining terrorism is a complex and contested issue, with governments and scholars often disagreeing on specific elements, such as whether victims must be non-combatants or if a political motive is required
Where Were the Deadliest Terrorist Attacks in 2024?
Below, we show the location, number of deaths, and details of the 20 most deadly terrorist attacks in 2024.
Rank | Country | Province/Region | Group | Deaths | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 🇳🇪 Niger | Tahoua | Jihadist (Undetermined) | 237 | Over 300 assailants killed 237 soldiers near Tandakaden town, Tahoua region. |
2 | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | Centre-Nord | JNIM | 200 | At least 200 civilians killed in Barsalogho. JNIM claimed responsibility. |
3 | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | Sahel | JNIM | 170 | 110 soldiers and 60 civilians killed in Mansila, Yagha. JNIM claimed responsibility. |
4 | 🇷🇺 Russia | Moscow City | Islamic State - Khorasan Province | 144 | 144 killed, 551 wounded at a concert hall. IS-K claimed responsibility. |
5 | 🇳🇪 Niger | Tillabéri | Jihadist (Undetermined) | 138 | 91 soldiers and 47 civilians killed in Chatouname, Tera department. |
6 | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | Est | Jihadist (Undetermined) | 100 | At least 100 killed in Kpadiari, Nadiagou, and Tiangoumbi. |
7 | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | Yobe | Boko Haram | 100 | 150 gunmen attacked a market in Tamvau, killing 100–150. |
8 | 🇮🇷 Iran | Kerman | Islamic State - Khorasan Province | 95 | Twin blasts near Soleimani’s memorial killed 95. IS-K claimed responsibility. |
9 | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | Borno | Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) | 85 | ISWA attacked Boko Haram in Lake Chad area; 85 dead. |
10 | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | Nord | JNIM | 70 | 70 civilians killed in Goubre commune by 150 assailants. |
11 | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | Est | Jihadist (Undetermined) | 70 | Several hundred gunmen attacked a security camp in Partiaga. |
12 | 🇲🇱 Mali | Bamako | JNIM | 60 | 60 soldiers killed in attack on a Gendarmerie school. |
13 | 🇸🇾 Syria | Homs | Islamic State (IS) | 54 | 54 regime soldiers killed near Kaziyia in Al-Sukhna area. |
14 | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | Est | Jihadist (Undetermined) | 50 | 50 civilians killed and others kidnapped in Galgondini village. |
15 | 🇳🇪 Niger | Tillabéri | JNIM | 47 | 47 soldiers killed and 18 wounded in Gotheye. JNIM claimed responsibility. |
16 | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | Centre-Est | JNIM | 46 | 46 killed, including security and VDP, in Kogo village. |
17 | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | Centre-Est | JNIM | 45 | 45 police officers killed in Yourkouduguen. JNIM claimed responsibility. |
18 | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | Boucle du Mouhoun | JNIM (suspected) | 45 | 45 civilians killed in Boanékuy village. JNIM possibly responsible. |
19 | 🇨🇩 DRC | Nord-Kivu | Islamic State (IS) | 42 | 42 civilians killed in Mayikengo village. IS claimed responsibility. |
20 | 🇨🇩 DRC | Nord-Kivu | Islamic State (IS) | 41 | 41 civilians killed in multiple villages. IS claimed responsibility. |
The Sahel, a region stretching from Senegal to Eritrea across north-central Africa, is now the world’s most terrorism-affected area. Since 2019, terrorism-related deaths in the region have increased tenfold.
In 2024 alone, the Sahel was responsible for more than half of all terrorism-related fatalities worldwide. Burkina Faso remained the hardest-hit country, accounting for one in five terrorism deaths globally.
According to the Institute for Economics & Peace, this dramatic rise is driven by a mix of factors: political instability, weak governance, ethnic conflicts, porous borders, environmental degradation, the spread of transnational jihadist networks, and increasing geopolitical rivalry.
The four deadliest terrorist groups in 2024 were the Islamic State (IS), Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen (JNIM), Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and al-Shabaab.
JNIM remains the most active group in Burkina Faso, responsible for nearly half of all attacks there last year. Its presence has grown significantly, with both the number of attacks and related deaths rising by over 50% compared to the previous year.
Learn More on the Voronoi App 
To learn more about the impacts of terrorist attacks, check out this graphic that lays out the timeline of 9/11, arguably the most consequential terrorist attack in modern history.
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