elections

Four major democracy indices, V-Dem, Freedom House, the EIU and International IDEA, have reported global decline for years, though the EIU's 2025 edition found scores stabilising. V-Dem counts 92 autocracies and 87 democracies at the end of 2025. What democracy requires, how the indices measure it, where they disagree, and how democracies erode.

Belgium and Australia hit 90%+ voter turnout through compulsory voting enforced since 1893 and 1924 respectively. Sweden reaches 87% without legal compulsion. The US averages 55% in presidential elections. The gap between the world's most and least participatory democracies is shaped almost entirely by systems, not voter enthusiasm.