Despite global concerns about democracy, more than half of countries are democratic
As of the end of 2017, 57% of 167 countries with populations of at least 500,000 were democracies of some kind, and only 13% were autocracies.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Read our research on:
Political Ideals & Systems
All
Political Ideals & Systems
Publications
-
-
In South Africa, racial divisions and pessimism about democracy loom over elections
Many South Africans are dissatisfied with the state of their democracy. Confidence in some civic institutions declined from 1990 to 2013.
-
In many countries, dissatisfaction with democracy is tied to views about economic conditions, personal rights
Dissatisfaction with democracy is correlated with views on economic conditions, whether key democratic norms are being respected and other issues.
-
Many Across the Globe Are Dissatisfied With How Democracy Is Working
Across 27 countries, more people are unhappy with the state of democracy in their countries than satisfied. Discontent with democracy is tied to concerns about the economy, individual rights and out-of-touch elites.
-
Indonesians optimistic about their country’s democracy and economy as elections near
Many Indonesians are satisfied with the state of their democracy, and more describe the country’s current and future economic situation as good.
-
Indian elections nearing amid frustration with politics, concerns about misinformation
Many Indians are satisfied with how democracy is working in India. But most see politicians as corrupt and question the efficacy of elections.
-
A Sampling of Public Opinion in India
Most Indians are satisfied with their country’s direction and the economic prospects of the next generation despite dissatisfaction over issues including unemployment and the efficacy of elections.
-
Most Voters Have Positive Views of Their Midterm Voting Experiences
Voters approached the 2018 midterm elections with some trepidation about the voting process and many had concerns that U.S. election systems may be hacked. After the election, however, most say it was “very easy” to vote and confidence in election security has increased.
-
How Americans view some of the voting policies approved at the ballot box
Many Americans support the idea of several election policies, including same-day and automatic voter registration. This election, voters in many states weighed in on specific ballot measures.
-
Weekday elections set the U.S. apart from many other advanced democracies
Many of the millions of Americans voting in Tuesday’s midterm elections will have to do so while working around the demands of their jobs – hitting their polling places before work, taking an extra-long lunch break or going afterward and hoping to make it before the polls close. As they stand in line, many of them may wonder why it is that the United States votes on a Tuesday, of all days.
