Across the 150 countries for which sufficient data was available, the Legislative and Policy Context (LPC) scores show a large cross-country divergence. The average LPC score for 82 countries (55%) was less than 0.45, and 45 countries scored below 0.4 (see Fig. 3). This indicates that most of the countries analysed lack explicit policies or frameworks that promote intercultural dialogue. Only 23 countries have achieved a score above 0.7; very few (like Canada and Australia) have multicultural policies, while some (e.g., US, UK, and Australia) have anti-discrimination legislations. Such explicit policies are essential to create greater intercultural exchange. Indeed, ICD can also be promoted through grassroots initiatives, civil society organisations, educational institutions, and informal exchanges among individuals. Various stakeholders, including governments, communities, and individuals can play important roles in fostering intercultural understanding but explicit policies are needed to create better intercultural environment.

The structural foundations (SF) essential for cross-cultural exchange were measured across 147 countries for which there was sufficient data available. The average score for the 147 countries was 0.33, with 67 countries scoring below average and only four countries achieved a score of above 0.60 (Japan, Norway, Sweden, and the US). Twenty-one countries scored above 0.5. For the rest, the scores ranged between 0.01 and 0.49. Structural conditions include education, communication, as well as cultural ethno-religious environment. For a more detailed explanation, read the Report.

Intercultural Opportunities (ICO) were measured across 53 countries, based on data relating to intercultural attitudes and competence, minority representation, and availability of freedom and rights. The average score for the 53 countries for which sufficient data was available was 0.63, with scores ranging between 0.30 and 0.87. Intercultural relations remain poor in 26 countries which scored below average, and seven countries tend to have more conducive environment for intercultural engagement (three from Europe as well as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Uruguay). In countries scoring below average in the intercultural opportunities dimension, policies and initiatives need to focus on improving individual rights and freedoms and affording greater inclusion and minority representation. In addition, more work is required to address the prevalence of racism and discrimination through intercultural education and training.