Pakistan’s democracy ranking fell six places in 2024, placing it among the “10 best artists of worse interpreters” in the Democracy Index of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Pakistan occupied 124th worldwide, scoring 2.84, and was classified as an authoritarian regime.
The index, which evaluates the tendencies of democracy in 165 countries and two territories, classifies nations based on electoral processes, government functioning, political participation, political culture and civil freedoms.
The global study indicated a general decrease in democracy worldwide, and authoritarian regimes are increasingly rooted. Almost 40% of the world’s population now lives under the authoritarian government, with 60 countries classified as such.
The index observed a continuous fall in the average score for countries in Asia and Australasia, where Pakistan, along with Bangladesh and South Korea, showed the most significant decreases.
The report highlighted electoral manipulation, divisive policy and political disturbances as important challenges in southern Asia, including Pakistan. He cited accusations of political repression and interference in the general elections of Pakistan, which occurred in February 2024.
The report also pointed out that countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and India faced serious threats to democratic processes, with fraud and violence that the elections in the region tie.
Joan Hoey, director of the Democracy Index, commented that although authoritarian regimes are gaining strength, democracies worldwide are fighting.
The report emphasized that the future of democracy in southern Asia would depend on the force of civil societies and the will of political institutions to adopt inclusive reforms.
In general, the 2024 democracy index paints a worrying image of global democratic health, with many countries, including Pakistan, which faces increasing challenges to its Democratic frameworks.
