Country of the year: The Economist’s pick for 2025 - The Intelligence from The Economist Recap

Podcast: The Intelligence from The Economist

Published: 2025-12-19

Duration: 23 minutes

Guests: Chris Lockwood, Josie Delap, Hal Hodson

Summary

Syria is awarded 'Country of the Year' for significant improvements in governance and societal stability, despite ongoing challenges.

What Happened

The episode opens with a reflection on the tumultuous events of 2025, including Donald Trump's second term and global political changes. Against this backdrop, The Economist evaluates which country showed the most improvement over the year. Chris Lockwood, the deputy foreign editor, outlines the criteria for 'Country of the Year,' emphasizing marked improvements rather than overall excellence.

After a thorough debate, Canada, Brazil, and South Korea are initially considered for the title. However, Canada is ruled out for merely maintaining stability rather than improving. Brazil shows political maturity with the prosecution of a coup attempt, while South Korea recovers from internal political strife and economic challenges.

The final contenders are Syria and Argentina. Josie Delap presents Syria's case, highlighting the overthrow of Assad's regime and the cautious optimism surrounding the new leadership under Ahmed al-Shara. Despite ongoing sectarian divides and governance issues, the return of 3.5 million Syrians to their homes marks a significant improvement.

Hal Hodson argues for Argentina, focusing on economic recovery under President Javier Millay. Argentina's inflation rate plummeted from 120% to 20%, and poverty levels decreased dramatically, showcasing economic resilience and reform.

Chris Lockwood notes the challenges Syria still faces, particularly in governance, but emphasizes the drastic improvement in the quality of life compared to a year ago. Syria's transformation from a war-torn nation to one experiencing relative stability and returning citizens is deemed more remarkable.

Ultimately, Syria is chosen as the 'Country of the Year' for its significant progress from dire circumstances. This decision highlights the importance of societal improvement over economic metrics alone, recognizing the resilience and hope for a better future among the Syrian people.

The episode concludes with a discussion about The Economist Educational Foundation's efforts in promoting news literacy among students worldwide, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and informed citizenship.

Key Insights