Global Democracy Faces Eighth Consecutive Year of Decline

A new report highlights shrinking voter turnout, contested elections, and rising disinformation as key threats to democratic integrity worldwide.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) report shows a 10 percentage point drop in global voter turnout from 2008 to 2023.
Nearly 20% of elections between 2020 and 2024 saw results legally challenged, with one in three elections being disputed in some form.
Disinformation, foreign interference, and the misuse of artificial intelligence in campaigns are major factors undermining election credibility.
The report identifies significant declines in democratic indicators in 47% of countries over the past five years, marking the worst year for free and fair elections and parliamentary oversight in 2023.
Despite the widespread decline, some countries like Fiji, the Maldives, and Thailand have shown notable improvements in democratic performance.