Global Democracy in Decline According to International IDEA Report, Weakening Institutions and Eroding Freedoms Highlighted

Sixth consecutive year of democratic backsliding links decline to weakening government checks, rampant corruption, and rigged elections; indicators show mounting democracy crisis in Europe, the Americas, Africa, West Asia, and the Indo-Pacific.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance report found democratic values faltering in nearly half of 173 surveyed countries due to weakening government checks and balances, corruption, and rigged elections. This is linked to the longest continuous decline in democratic values since 1975.
The decline of democracy is a global issue affecting regions including Europe, the Americas, Africa, West Asia, and the Indo-Pacific. Countries sliding towards democratic regression range from South Korea to Brazil, and from Canada to El Salvador and Hungary.
Major crises such as inflation, climate change, and wars continue to divert attention from the decline of fundamental democratic principles worldwide. These distractions contribute to a lack of accountability from elected leaders.
Strong democracies like Costa Rica and Portugal have struggled with effective parliamentary oversight and credible elections. In addition, respect for fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech, expression, and assembly, is deteriorating globally.
The report does highlight some progress, with increased political engagement leading to less corruption in cases such as Ethiopia, Zambia, and Fiji. However, challenges in social equality, press freedoms, and equitable justice remain, with major declines in countries like the United States, Austria, and Britain.