Democracies declining worldwide, autocracies rise: German study

Democracies are in the minority in developing and emerging countries, according to an international analysis by Germany's Bertelsmann Foundation, reported dpa.

The study, which is to be discussed with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Monday and fully published on Tuesday, found 63 democracies in the world with a total population of about 3 billion, compared to 74 autocratically ruled states with a combined population of around 4 billion.

Bertelsmann's "Transformation Index 2024" with the title "Democracy is increasingly losing ground around the world" is the 10th such study over the past 20 years.

The reports on individual states provide evidence that in particular the right to participate politically – free elections, freedom of association and of assembly, and freedom of speech and of the press – are being restricted in ever more countries.

"Separation of powers is increasingly being undermined, and space for participation by civil society is shrinking," it found.

In autocratic countries, the leadership heavily restricts political participation or does not allow it at all, the report finds.

Among the 74 autocracies, 49 countries are rated as "hardliner autocracies," including Russia.

Founded in 1977, the Bertelsmann Foundation publishes regular studies on education, democracy, society, health, culture and science.

It holds a majority stake in the multinational Bertelsmann Group media conglomerate.