The Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Democracy Index 2024, published recently, presents a complex picture of the state of democracy worldwide in the previous year.
Covering 165 independent states and two territories, the index measures democratic health based on electoral process, government functioning, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties as key indicators.
According to the assessment, 6.6% of the world’s population in 25 countries live in a full democracy, 38.4% in 46 countries reside in a flawed democracy, 15.7% in 36 countries live under a hybrid regime, and 39.2% in 60 countries endure authoritarian rule. Compared to 2023, the updated index registered one additional full democracy, four fewer flawed democracies, two additional hybrid regimes, and one more autocracy.
The global average democracy score fell to 5.17, down from 5.23 in 2023 and 5.29 in 2022. Only a minority of 37 countries improved their index score in 2024, and the margin of improvement for most was small and often from a low base. At the same time, 83 countries registered a decline and some in substantial ways. For 47 countries, the score stayed the same.
Authoritarian entrenchment
The report points out that the ongoing downward trend in the overall score, which continued in 2024, was not driven by a decline in the world’s democracies but by “a further worsening in the average score for the authoritarian regimes”.
The number of authoritarian regimes has steadily increased from a decade ago, when 52 countries were classified as authoritarian as opposed to 60 today. The trend suggests that once a government shifts towards authoritarianism, it rarely reverses course. Instead, autocrats have become more adept at consolidating power, using surveillance technology, disinformation campaigns, and legal crackdowns on dissent to neutralize opposition. “The inclination of autocratic rulers is not to meet popular aspirations for change by democratising aspects of their political systems, but to dig in and crack down harder on any sign of dissent”, the EIU report notes.
While authoritarian regimes hardened their grip, the share of the global population living under democratic governance continued to shrink. Today, only 6.6% of people reside in a “full democracy,” down from 12.5% in 2014. Countries that once ranked among the world’s strongest democracies – including the United States – remain downgraded to the status of “flawed democracies.”
Decline in electoral integrity
2024 was a record-breaking year for elections with more than 70 national polls, including in major democracies like India, the U.S., and Brazil. In the category of “electoral process and pluralism,” the EIU index recorded an overall 0.08-point decline with deteriorations noted in nearly every region except Western Europe and North America.
In some cases, elections resulted in the ousting of unpopular incumbents, reflecting a growing frustration with stagnant governance. However, in many other instances, elections were marred by fraud, suppression, or outright cancellation. In several countries, ruling parties manipulated electoral systems to secure victories, while in others, opposition candidates faced systematic harassment or disqualification.
Governance in crisis
The “functioning of government” category saw the steepest decline in 2024, falling by 0.13 points to an already dismal global average of 4.53 out of 10, the worst of all indicators measured by EIU. This decline highlights a broader crisis of governance affecting both democratic and non-democratic states alike. Public trust in political institutions remains at historic lows, driven by political gridlock, corruption, and the increasing influence of unelected entities such as central banks, courts, and corporate interests.
The EIU report refers to a number of surveys indicating that across the world, many citizens feel disconnected from decision-making processes, fueling disillusionment with representative democracy. As governments struggle to address pressing social and economic challenges, the perception that democracy is failing to “deliver” has gained traction, giving rise to political insurgents and populist movements that challenge the traditional order.
A silver lining: political participation on the rise
Amid the broader democratic downturn, one category showed an unexpected rise: political participation. Since 2008, this category overall has improved by 0.74 points, driven by increased civic engagement, activism, and protest movements. From climate strikes to anti-corruption demonstrations, citizens—especially younger generations—are increasingly taking political matters into their own hands. This trend suggests that while institutional democracy may be under pressure, the democratic spirit remains alive in grassroots movements worldwide.
What’s next in the future?
The 2024 EIU Democracy Index underscores that democracy is not in inevitable decline, but certainly under siege. The EIU report warns that global democracy faces continued threats from authoritarian tendencies, populism, and weak governance. The battle between authoritarian consolidation and democratic resilience will shape the coming years. The task ahead for democratic leaders is to restore faith in governance, protect electoral integrity, and address the growing sense of disenfranchisement among citizens. Without meaningful reforms, the retreat of democracy may continue unabated, leaving future generations to grapple with an increasingly autocratic world order.
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