10:56 1 March 2025
Global Democracy Index 2024: A Year of Elections and Decline
The latest Democracy Index, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), reveals that global democracy is in its worst state since the index began in 2006. Despite 2024 being the biggest election year in history, with over 1.65 billion ballots cast in 70 countries, democratic progress remains elusive.
Norway retained its top spot as the world’s most democratic country (9.81), followed by New Zealand and Sweden. At the other extreme, Afghanistan scored just 0.25, remaining the least democratic nation. Bangladesh saw the most dramatic shift, dropping 25 places due to political turmoil following Sheikh Hasina’s removal from power.
The global democracy score fell to a record low of 5.17, with only 6.6 percent of people living in a full democracy—down from 12.5 percent a decade ago. Two in five now live under authoritarian rule. Pakistan’s score plummeted after a violent election and the imprisonment of Imran Khan, while Russia’s sham election secured Vladimir Putin’s fifth term.
The United States remains a flawed democracy, but new challenges loom under Donald Trump’s second term, with concerns over civil service independence and executive overreach. The coming year will test whether newly elected leaders uphold democratic principles or erode them further.
(WBJ)
