An intergovernment organization reveals a widespread decline in global democratic performance, with only 32% of all countries advancing.
Some 54% of all countries had at least one key democratic indicator deteriorate over the past five years, Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance reported on Thursday.
It is the ninth straight year of net decline, the longest such stretch since International IDEA, which is led this year by diplomats from Switzerland, Dominican Republic and Indonesia, began tracking data in 1975.
In its 332-page report, "The Global State of Democracy 2025," the organization highlights that even established democracies are being tested by weakening institutions and shifting political landscapes.
'A perfect storm' of headwinds brewing
A central finding is that press freedom fell to a 50-year low, with one-quarter of the 173 nations surveyed experiencing a decline. The trend was pervasive across all regions, including 15 African and 15 European nations.
Specific examples cited include the use of spyware against journalists in Italy and government interference in public broadcasting in Slovakia. The most severe declines in press freedom were found in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, and Myanmar, countries with major civil conflict.
International IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora said democracy faces a "perfect storm of autocratic resurgence and acute uncertainty," but he offered a clear path forward.
"To fight back, democracies need to protect key elements of democracy, like elections and the rule of law, but also profoundly reform government so that it delivers fairness, inclusion and shared prosperity," he said. "Improving rights of voters living abroad can also reap democratic dividends in both home and host countries."
U.S. aid cuts 'weakening' democracy abroad
Beyond the press, other democratic pillars weakened. The "credible elections" indicator reached its lowest point in 30 years, and the rule of law category was identified as the weakest-performing overall.
The study also addresses external factors impacting democracy, including a notable reduction in international support. It points to cutbacks in U.S. development assistance as a contributing factor, saying the U.S. "significantly reduced" diplomatic engagement, a factor that has "contributed to a weakening of international democratization efforts."
The report underscores the growing importance of adapting democratic frameworks to a world with high migration, noting that over 300 million people now live outside their nations of birth. That suggests expanding out-of-country voting could help strengthen democratic resilience.
Despite the widespread decline, the report highlights pockets of progress. Africa accounted for 24% of the global advances, with Botswana and South Africa showing improvements in credible elections. The latter saw a historic transition to its first national coalition government.
A general downturn was observed in Europe, but it remains the highest-performing region overall, with Poland improving in rights, rule of law, and representation. The Americas maintained mid-range performance, with Brazil improving in effective parliament and judicial independence.
