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Democratic decline is raising risks of conflict, global report warns

Democracies declined for 11 consecutive years as rule of law weakens, key U.S. indicators fall to lowest levels in 50 years.

A global report finds 2025 was the 11th consecutive year in which more countries declined than improved in overall democratic performance.
A global report finds 2025 was the 11th consecutive year in which more countries declined than improved in overall democratic performance. (Siena Nisavic/Unsplash)

A prolonged global decline in democracy is expanding the conditions associated with violent conflict, with fewer countries governed democratically and a growing number caught between consolidated democracy and authoritarian rule, an intergovernmental organization warned.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance said on Tuesday that 2025 was the 11th consecutive year in which more countries declined than improved in overall democratic performance, the longest continuous downturn since its records began in 1975.

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