Pakistan’s Democracy Ranking Drops, Placed Among Worst Performers in 2024
Pakistan’s position in the 2024 Democracy Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) declined by six spots, placing it among the 10 worst-performing nations. Ranking 124th globally with a score of 2.84, the country was categorized as an authoritarian regime.
The index assesses democratic progress in 165 countries and two territories, evaluating electoral processes, government functionality, political engagement, political culture, and civil liberties.
The global report highlighted a broader democratic decline, noting that authoritarian regimes are becoming more dominant. Currently, nearly 40% of the world’s population lives under authoritarian rule, with 60 countries falling into this category.
The study also pointed to a continuous decline in democracy across Asia and Australasia, with Pakistan, Bangladesh, and South Korea experiencing some of the most significant setbacks.
In South Asia, issues such as electoral fraud, political turmoil, and growing polarization were identified as major obstacles to democracy. The report specifically mentioned allegations of political suppression and interference in Pakistan’s general elections, held in February 2024.
Furthermore, the study indicated that democratic institutions in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India faced serious threats, as election-related fraud and violence raised concerns about the credibility of the electoral process.
Joan Hoey, Director of the Democracy Index, emphasized that while authoritarian regimes continue to strengthen, democratic systems worldwide are struggling to maintain stability.
The report concluded that the future of democracy in South Asia depends largely on the resilience of civil society and the commitment of political institutions to implement inclusive reforms.
Overall, the 2024 Democracy Index presents a bleak outlook for global democracy, with Pakistan among the countries facing significant challenges in preserving democratic principles.
