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The Global State of Democracy 2024

Strengthening the Legitimacy of Elections in a Time of Radical Uncertainty

Top report finding: 1/8

In 2024, one in three voters live in a country where the quality of elections has declined.

Top report finding: 2/8

Between 2020 and 2024, in almost one in five elections a losing candidate or party rejected the electoral outcome.

Top report finding: 3/8

Electoral participation has declined, and at the same time elections are increasingly disputed.

Top report finding: 4/8

Declines in the quality of democracy continue to outnumber advances. One in four countries is moving forward, while four in nine are worse off.

Top report finding: 5/8

Declines have been most concentrated in Representation and Rights.

Top report finding: 6/8

Even high-performing countries have suffered significant deterioration, especially in Europe and the Americas.

Top report finding: 7/8

Despite substantial progress in improving electoral administration, disputes about the credibility of elections deal mainly with irregularities in voting and vote counting.

Top report finding: 8/8

Despite the challenges, elections retain their promise of empowering the people. Incumbents have lost in many highly watched elections in 2023 and 2024.

Watch H.E. Xavier Bettel’s remarks