Signal A clear majority of the world's population lives in countries that are not democracies

Summary

This signal states that most people in the world now live under governments that cannot be counted as democratic. Sitra draws on the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index 2024, which shows full democracies as a minority among the world's countries. Even inside democracies, confidence in the value of democracy is wavering. The report argues that democracy's future depends on showing tangible benefits for people, delivered better and faster than authoritarian alternatives. It frames the key question as whether citizens still see democracy as the best way to protect rights, security and a shared future. Platform-driven politics, declining party membership and populist gains add further pressure.