In a gloomy year, some stars shine.

Every year, "The Economist" chooses its "country of the year". This choice is not about the largest, the richest or the happiest, but the country that has taken the most significant steps in its development during that year. For example, recent winners include Uzbekistan (for the abolition of slavery), Tunisia (for the development of democracy) and Colombia (for concluding a peace treaty).

2021 was a difficult year: Covid-19 intensified gloom and sadness, rapidly synthesised vaccines were not distributed equally, the virus continued to mutate, and in many countries, civil liberties and democratic norms began to wither... In Russia, a prison sentence was imposed on an opposition leader, supporters of Donald Trump attacked the Capitol, and civil war flared up in Ethiopia and Myanmar.

Gloomy? Perhaps, but in some countries, things have been quite bright...
Photo: Benjamin Everett