Democratic stagnation and decline are weakening institutions worldwide. This report by International IDEA draws on the Global State of Democracy Indices to examine global and regional trends, highlighting setbacks in electoral credibility, parliamentary effectiveness, freedom of expression, press freedom and access to justice. For the eleventh consecutive year, more countries experienced democratic decline than improvement.

The report also explores the complex relationship between democracy and violent conflict. It finds that countries with some democratic procedures but without genuine political competition or enforceable rights have experienced conflict more frequently than either consolidated democracies or fully autocratic states. Its analysis underlines the importance of democratic consolidation, effective representation and institutional oversight in supporting peace.

For parliamentary practitioners, the publication provides reference material on challenges facing legislatures and the wider democratic systems in which they operate, alongside analysis of democracy, conflict and peace and policy recommendations.