Democracy is in global decline

Too close to call

Updated 2026-08-15 5 supporting · 4 opposing arguments

PRO 1.11CON 1.09

Pro 34% · Con 34% — Nuanced 32% — evidence balanced

What the evidence says moderate

Based on the strength of the Arguments below

Supporting Arguments

P1Multiple independent datasets show recent deterioration

P2Autocracies now affect more people than democracies

P3Expression and media freedoms are central targets

P4Backsliding can occur inside formally democratic systems

P5The decline appears to extend beyond one region

Opposing Arguments

C1Long-run democracy remains more widespread than historically

C2Democratic resilience and improvement are substantial

C3Results depend strongly on the democracy measure

C4Country counts can obscure population and institutional differences

Figures & data

View figure at source: Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2025

Our World in Data chart on the long-run share of countries/population living under democracy vs. autocracy since 1800, including recent stagnation/reversal

Source: Our World in Data, Democracy (based on V-Dem/Boix-Miller-Rosato)

All contributions are reviewed for clarity, balance, and evidence. The strongest insights are elevated into the argument graph — with credit to you.

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