Local Autonomy Index

The Local Autonomy Index is a measure that assesses how much power or decision-making ability local governments have within a country. It looks at factors like local authorities’ control over budgets, policies, and services, compared to higher levels of government. A higher score indicates greater independent decision-making at local levels, while a lower score suggests central governments hold most authority. This index helps understand how decentralised or centralised a country's governance system is, influencing how well local needs are addressed and how much local leaders can tailor solutions to their communities.