Global Elections See Unprecedented Incumbent Losses in 2024

Voter dissatisfaction and economic concerns drive anti-incumbent sentiment worldwide, affecting both left and right-leaning governments.

In 2024, incumbent parties faced significant losses in elections across approximately 70 countries, including major democracies in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Economic issues, such as inflation and post-pandemic recovery challenges, were major factors in voter discontent, leading to a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment.
The United States saw Donald Trump defeat Kamala Harris, marking a continuation of the global trend against sitting governments despite better-than-average economic performance.
Countries like the UK, Germany, and Japan experienced historic shifts in power, with long-standing ruling parties losing ground to opposition groups.
Mexico and India stood out as exceptions, where incumbent-affiliated candidates managed to secure victories despite the prevailing global trend.