Democracy Perception Index 2023
Uploaded by
Dio SundoroDemocracy Perception Index 2023
Uploaded by
Dio SundoroAlliance of Democracies
Democracy
Perception Index 2023
The world’s largest annual study on how
people perceive democracy
State of Threats to Global Democracy
Democracy Democracy Politics under COVID
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PUBLISHED BY Latana.com
Welcome
The Democracy Perception Index (DPI) is the world’s largest 53,970
annual study on how people perceive democracy, conducted respondents
by Latana in collaboration with the Alliance of Democracies.
53
The 2023 edition offers an unprecedented comparison of countries
global attitudes towards democracy since the beginning of
the COVID crisis. Results are based on nationally Spring 2023
representative interviews with over 53,970 respondents from Feb 7th - March 27th, 2023
53 countries conducted between February 7th and March
27th, 2023.
75%
of the global population
represented
The DPI was published ahead of the 2023 Copenhagen
Democracy Summit to support the discussion on the global
state of democracy.
Dr. Nico Jaspers
CEO at Latana
© 2023 Latana
Frederick DeVeaux
Senior Researcher
Ekaterina Golovanova
Graphic Design Lead
Democracy Perception Index 2023
Table of Contents
Foreword
4
Executive Summary
5
CHAPTER I State of Democracy
Importance of Democracy
8
Democracy Today
9
Perceived Democratic Deficit
10
Desire for More Democracy
11
Government Accountability
12
CHAPTER II
Threats to Democracy
13
Threats to Democracy
14
Economic Inequality
15
Corruption
16
Global Corporations
17
Free Speech Limitations
18
Unfair Elections
19
Big Tech
20
Foreign Election Interference
21
Social Media Influence
22
Threats to Democracy in America
24
Government Priorities
25
Climate Change
31
CHAPTER III Global Politics
32
Perception of Global Powers
33
US Impact on Democracy
44
Economic Ties with Russia
46
Economic Ties with China
49
Russia-China Relations
52
Assistance to Ukraine
53
World Challenges
54
Prioritizing Climate Change
55
CHAPTER IV Democracy under COVID
56
Government Response
57
COVID Restrictions
59
Methodology
60
About Latana
61
About the Alliance of Democracies
62
Questionnaire 63
Democracy Perception Index 2023
Foreword
The Democracy Perception Index 2023 was published ahead of the 2023 Copenhagen Democracy Summit to support the
discussion on the global state of democracy.
“ In every country people are calling for more democracy. Putin’s
brutal invasion of Ukraine shows that we can never take freedom
and democracy for granted. We must do more to protect and
promote the civic rights, individual liberty, and basic democratic
principles. First and foremost, we must strengthen our support for
all those around the world fighting for a democratic future. But
leaders of certain democratic societies will also have to address
the population’s dissatisfaction with the lack of democracy in their
countries.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Chair of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation,
former NATO Chief, and Danish Prime Minister
“ The world remains united about the importance of democracy and
the need to support Ukraine. But there's a clear dividing line when
it comes to bearing the economic cost of doing so. Most countries
in the global south still see hunger and poverty as the world's
biggest challenge, and economic inequality as the biggest threat to
democracy. The West should not forget that global development
and creating economic opportunities for everyone are also key
ingredients to promoting democracy around the world.
Dr. Nico Jaspers, CEO at Latana
D e m o c racy P e rc e pt i o n I n d ex 2 0 2 3 Copenhagen Democracy Summit
Executive Summary
The Democracy Perception Index (DPI) aims to understand how people around the world perceive the state of democracy in their
country today and the major challenges that lie ahead. It is the largest annual study on people’s perception of democracy,
spanning 53 countries that represent over 75% of the world’s population.
State of Faith in democracy has remained high across the globe over the past five years, with 84% saying
that it’s important to have democracy in their country. When it comes to key components of
Democracy
democracy, the results are even more clear: over 90% say freedom of speech, fair elections and
equal rights are important to have in their country - a result that is similar in most democratic and
non-democratic countries.
Governments, however, are not seen to be living up to the democratic expectations of their citizens:
only a little more than half of the people that we polled are satisfied with the state of democracy in
their country (57%). The dissatisfaction is not limited to non-democratic countries, but is also very
prevalent in the US, Europe and in other countries with a long democratic tradition.
Threats to Economic inequality is still perceived to be the number one threat to democracy worldwide, (69%),
followed by corruption (68%) and the influence of global corporations (60%). About half of the
Democracy
people around the world, in both democratic and non-democratic countries, feel that their
government is acting only in the interest of a small group of people.
Americans are growing more and more concerned about threats to their democracy. Since 2021,
fear of unfair elections has increased most dramatically in the US (from 49% to 61%), but economic
inequality remains the top perceived threat (from 61% to 69%).
When it comes to social media platforms and their impact on democracy, people are divided: in
Europe and North America, a large majority of people view social media platforms as having a
negative or mixed impact on democracy. In most other countries, however, people have a more
positive view.
Global Overall, war and violent conflicts are currently seen as the most important global challenges,
followed by poverty and hunger, and climate change. But there are important differences across
Challenges
regions: in Europe and Asia, people are primarily concerned about war and conflict, while the rest of
the world is concerned about poverty and hunger.
At the national level, most people want their governments to focus more on poverty reduction,
corruption and economic growth. However there are strong regional differences in priorities: Europe
and the United States are much more likely to want their government to prioritize improving
healthcare, fighting climate change, and reducing immigration than countries in Asia and Latin
America, where fighting corruption and promoting growth are more important.
Despite 32% of the world saying that climate change is one of the world’s top three biggest
challenges, only 15% of people say fighting climate change should be among the top-three priorities
for their government.
Democracy Perception Index 2023 5
Executive Summary
Geopolitics Support for cutting economic ties with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine remains high in Europe
and the United States even after several rounds of sanctions. But in the rest of the world most
people prefer keeping economic ties with Russia.
When asked about cutting economic ties with China if it were to invade Taiwan, the world is also
divided between the West and the rest. People in western democracies are generally in favor of
cutting ties with China in the event of an invasion. This includes several of China’s largest trading
partners: the United States, Japan and Germany. Most other countries, however, have mixed
attitudes or clearly prefer keeping ties.
Despite heavy NATO assistance to Ukraine over the past year, one third of the global population still
says that “too little” has been done to assist Ukraine, and roughly half say that the assistance has
been the “right amount” (48%). A much smaller share (17%) says that “too much” has been done to
assist Ukraine.
Perception of People in almost all countries surveyed have positive perceptions of the European Union, the United
Global Powers
Nations and the United States, and negative perceptions of Russia. While perceptions of Russia are
still overwhelmingly negative in most western democracies, they are less so than they were in the
early days of the war in the Spring of 2022.
When it comes to perceptions of China, the world is divided: western democracies, particularly the
United States, European countries, Australia, Japan and South Korea, have negative views of China,
while the rest of the world has more mixed or positive views.
The United States is seen as having a positive influence on global democracy by most countries
around the world, particularly in Latin America, Asia and several Eastern European countries such
as Poland and Ukraine. The US’s impact on global democracy is seen more critically in Western
European countries, however, where attitudes are mixed or even slightly negative.
Public attitudes between China and Russia are very positive and reciprocal: people in both countries
have positive views of each other’s country, and the vast majority of people prefer keeping economic
ties. Both populations also share very negative attitudes towards the United States and are the only
two countries surveyed to have generally negative perceptions of the European Union.
Democracy Despite relatively high levels of satisfaction with their governments’ response to Covid, the concern
under COVID
that governments have limited freedoms too much during the pandemic is still high and widespread,
with a little over half of respondents globally expressing concern (56%), both in democratic and less
democratic countries.
Democracy Perception Index 2023 6
chapter i
State of Democracy
Importance of Democracy
8
Democracy Today
9
Perceived Democratic Deficit
10
Desire for More Democracy
11
Government Accountability 12
Democracy Perception Index 2023 7
Importance of Democracy
Despite the 17th consecutive year of decline in global freedom according to Freedom House, the vast majority of people worldwide
consistently say that democracy is important to have in their country (84%).
Democracy is important for people around the world
% say that it is important to have democracy in their country
importanT
In your opinion, how important is it for your country to be a democracy?
0 - not at all important; 10 - very important
0% 100%
key findings TREND
Democracy is important Global faith in democracy
Across the 53 countries surveyed in the Democracy remains high
Perception Index (DPI) study, an average of 84% of people
say that democracy is important to have in their country, Over the last five years, global faith in democracy has
ranging from 94% in the birthplace of democracy, Greece, to remained consistently high.
61% in Japan. This is a majority opinion in all countries.
% say that it is important to have democracy in their country
Greece
94%
84% 84%
Global 79% 81%
78%
84%
Japan
61%
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
De mocrac y P e rc e pt i o n I nde x 2023 8
Democracy Today
When asked how democratic people think their country currently is, only about half the world (57%) says that their country is
actually democratic. This is true even in democracies labeled as “free” by Freedom House, where only 58% say that their country is
democratic.
P eo le don t thin their countries are ery democratic e en in democracies
p ’ k v - v
% say that their country is currently democratic
democratic
Thi a o t o r co tr toda How democratic do o thi it is
nk b u y u un y y. y u nk ?
0 - not at all democratic 0 - ery democratic
; 1 v 0% 100%
key findings Most democratic
Only about half the world (57%) India
says their country is democratic Taiwan
78%
77%
The countries considered most democratic by their citizens
are India, Taiwan, and South Korea.
South Korea
Out of all countries labeled as “free” democracies by Freedom 74%
House, Poland is considered the least democratic by its
people (40%). Least democratic
Hungary
33%
methodology
How the DPI categorizes democracies:
Venezuela
In order to compare public opinion results between more democratic countries and less democratic 27%
countries, the DPI uses the 2023 categories from Freedom House to create two groups:
Iran
"Free" - the most democratic countries, labeled as "Free" by Freedom House
21%
"Less Free" - less democratic countries and non-democratic countries, labeled as either "Partially Free"
or "Not Free" by Freedom House
Democracy Perception Index 2023 9
Perceived Democratic Deficit
To capture public dissatisfaction with the state of democracy, the DPI measures the difference between how important people say
democracy is and how democratic they think their country is. This difference is called the Perceived Democratic Deficit. The larger
the deficit, the more governments are failing to live up to the democratic expectations of their citizens.
Governments are not living up to the democratic expectations of their citizens
% say that democracy is important vs. % say that their country is democratic
democratic important Deficit
Switzerland
11
Perceived Democratic Deficit
India
11
No country is fully living up to the
Singapore
12
Taiwan
12
democratic expectations of its citizens -
Norway
13
in other words, no country has a Perceived
Philippines
14
Democratic Deficit of 0.
Saudi Arabia
14
However, some countries are much closer
Japan
15
to fulfilling their citizens’ expectations than
Australia
15
others.
Malaysia
15
China
15
South Korea
18
Vietnam
18
Smallest Deficit
Denmark
18
Switzerland
Sweden
18
70% 11 81%
Russia
18
Canada
20
India
Mexico
21
78% 11 89%
Ireland
21
Hong Kong
21
Singapore
United States
22
73% 12 85%
Indonesia
23
Portugal
24
Germany
24
Largest Deficit
Argentina
25
Spain
25
Venezuela
Chile
25
2 7% 51 78%
Colombia
26
United Kingdom
26
Iran
Romania
27
21 % 51 72%
Netherlands
28
Hungary
Ukraine
28
33% 51 84%
Algeria
28
Belgium
29
Israel
30
Austria
30
Thailand
32
Italy
32
trend 2022 VS 2023
France
32
Pakistan
33
The Perceived Democratic
South Africa
34
Deficit has increased
Kenya
35
Brazil
37
significantly in Iran (+15)
Egypt
40
since 2022.
Morocco
42
Turkey
44
Peru
45
Greece
45
Poland
46
Nigeria
47
Venezuela
51
Iran
51
Hungary 51
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
In your opinion, how important is it for your country to be a democracy?
Think about your country today. How democratic do you think it is?
0 - not at all important; 10 - very important
0 - not at all democratic; 10 - very democratic
Democracy Perception Index 2023 10
Desire for More Democracy
Across the 53 countries surveyed, 41% of people say there is “not enough democracy” in their country, while 46% say there is the
“right amount” and only 13% say there is “too much”.
41% of people say there is "not enough democracy" in their country
% say there is not enough", the "right amount" or "too much" democracy in their country
Not enough right amount too much
South Korea
Dissatisfaction with the level of
China
democracy is highest in Latin
Vietnam
America - and lowest in Asia
Taiwan
Switzerland
The feeling that there is “not enough democracy” is
Philippines
highest in Latin America (55%), then Europe (42%),
Algeria
and lowest in Asia (30%).
India
Saudi Arabia
Japan
Not enough right amount too much
Singapore
Global
Norway
Australia
Free
Denmark
Less Free
Malaysia
Russia
Asia
Netherlands
Europe
Egypt
Latin America
Ireland
Ukraine
25% 50% 75% 100%
0%
Hong Kong
Sweden
Canada
Germany
P ortugal
Israel
trend 2022 VS 2023
Argentina
United Kingdom
The feeling that there is “not
Belgium
enough democracy” has increased
Morocco
Romania
most in Iran (+17), Ukraine (+13)
Austria
and Pakistan (+11) since 2022,
France
and decreased significantly in
Kenya
Mexico (-9).
Chile
Mexico
2022 2023
United States
taly
I
Iran 1
+ 7
Spain
Uk raine 1
+ 3
Thailand
P k a istan + 11
a istan
P k M x e ico -9
South Africa
0% 5 0% 100 %
Turkey
Colombia
Poland
Brazil
Greece
P eru
Hungar y
Indonesia
N igeria
Venezuela
Iran
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Which of the following statements comes closest to your view?
I think there is not enough democracy in my country
I think there is the right amount of democracy in my countr y
I think there is too much democracy in my countr y
Democracy Perception Index 2023 11
Government Accountability
Across the 53 countries surveyed, an average of 48% of people say that their government mainly serves the interest of a minority -
even in democracies. This sentiment is most prevalent in the Latin American countries surveyed (63%), the US (58%) and Europe
(52%), and least prevalent in Asian countries (32%), particularly China (10%).
Half of the world says their government only serves a minority
% say their government usually acts in the interest of a "small group of people" (minority)
“My government usually acts in the interest of…”
minority
... a small group of people in my country
… most people in my country
0% 100 %
key findings TREN D 2022 v s 2032
People in Latin America are most likely to Top 5 countries where the sentiment has
say that their government serves a minority
grown most since last year
% say their government acts in the interest of... % say their government mainly acts in the interest of a small group of people
minority majority 2022 2023
Global
Ukraine +13
Free
Iran +9
Less Free
Pakistan +8
Asia
Europe
Latin America Denmark +7
US Hungary +6
Russia
China 0% 50% 100%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Democracy Perception Index 2023 12
chapter iI
Threats to Democracy
Threats to Democracy
14
Economic Inequality
15
Corruption
16
Global Corporations
17
Free Speech Limitations
18
Unfair Elections
19
Big Tech
20
Foreign Election Interference 21
Social Media Influence 22
Threats to Democracy in America 24
Government Priorities
25
Climate Change 31
Democracy Perception Index 2023 13
Threats to Democracy
This chapter provides an overviews of what people in democratic countries see as the biggest threats to democracy.
The results show that out of all the threats listed in the DPI, economic inequality is viewed as the most significant threat among
the 43 democracies* surveyed: an average of 69% say that economic inequality threatens democracy in their country.
Economic inequality is viewed as the biggest threat to democracy worldwide
% agree* that ______ is a threat to democracy in their country
Do you agree or disagree
Economic Inequality with the following statements?
69
“Democracy in my country is threatened by …”
“… economic inequality”
Corruption 68 “… the influence of Big Tech companies
(Google, Amazon, Apple, Facebook)”
“… limitations on free speech”
Global Corporations 60 “… election interference from foreign powers”
“… unfair elections and/or election fraud”
"... corruption"
Free Speech Limits 57 "... the influence of global corporations"
Strongly agree / Somewhat agree / Neither agree
nor disagree / Somewhat disagree / Strongly
disagree
Unfair Elections / Election Fraud 54
*Agree includes “Strongly agree” and
Big Tech 49 “Somewhat agree”
*Democracies include countries rated as “Free”
Foreign Election Interference 49 and “Partly Free” by Freedom house. Countries
threat rated as “Not Free” are excluded.
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Economic inequality and corruption are seen as the biggest threats to democracy
the top threat selected by country
E conomic Inequality Corruption Global Corporations Free Speech Limits
Democracy Perception Index 2023 14
Economic Inequality
The vast majority of people in almost all democracies (69%) say that economic inequality is a threat to democracy in their country.
Majority of people in almost all countries say that economic inequality is a threat to democracy
% agree* that economic inequality is a threat to democracy in their country
Kenya
Regional Results
Portugal
The concern with economic inequality is highest
Pakistan
in the three African democracies surveyed (81%),
Colombia
followed by the Latin American democracies
South Africa
(77%) and then Asia (68%), and Europe (66%).
Nigeria
Greece
Brazil
Romania
Trend 2022 VS 2023
Peru
Since 2022, concern with economic inequality
Argentin a
has increased most signi ficantly in Singapore,
Ukraine
Canada, Ukraine, the United States and
Mexico
Switzerland.
India
Hungary
Difference 2022 vs 2023
Philippines
Singapore +9
Chile
Canada +7
Italy
Ukraine +6
United States +6
Spain
Switzerland +5
Israel
% % %
France
0 50 100
Indonesia
Malaysia
Taiwa n
United States
Belgium
Poland
Canada
United Kingdom
Hong Kong
Singapore
Ireland
Netherlands
Sweden
Japan
Morocco
Australi a
Switzerland
South Korea
Germany
Austri a
Norway
*Democracies include countries rated as “Free” and “Partly Free” by
Denmark Freedom house. Countries rated as “Not Free” are excluded.
0 % 25 % 50 % 75% 100 %
“Democracy in my country is threatened by economic inequality”
Strongly agree / Somewhat agree / Neither agree nor disagree / Somewhat disagree / Strongly disagree
*Agree includes “Strongly agree” and “Somewhat agree”
D e m o c racy P e rc e pt i o n I n d ex 2 0 2 3 15
Corruption
Behind economic inequality, corruption was the most cited threat to democracy. A large majority of people in almost all
democracies (68%) say that corruption is a threat to democracy in their country.
Most people view corruption as a threat to democracy in their country
% agree* that corruption threatens democracy in their country
Kenya
Regional Results
South Africa
The concern is particularly high in the three
Nigeria
African countries surveyed (91%), and in Latin
Ukraine
America (80%).
Peru
Romania
Greece
Brazil
Trend 2022 VS 2023
Portugal
Colombia
Since 2022, concern has increased most
fi
signi cantly in Singapore, Switzerland, Hong
Argentina
Kong, Norway and Belgium.
Pakistan
Hungary
Difference 2022 vs 2023
Mexico
Singapore +16
Italy
Switzerland +13
Spain
Hong Kong +11
Norway +8
India
Belgium +6
United States
0% 50% 100%
Chile
Philippines
Malaysia
Austria
Israel
Poland
Indonesia
United Kingdom
Taiwan
Ireland
France
Canada
South Korea
Hong Kong
Belgium
Australia
Japan
Netherlands
Singapore
Germany
Switzerland
Morocco
Norway
Sweden
*Democracies include countries rated as “Free” and “Partly Free” by
Denmark
Freedom house. Countries rated as “Not Free” are excluded.
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
“Democracy in my country is threatened by corruption"
Strongly agree / Somewhat agree / Neither agree nor disagree / Somewhat disagree / Strongly disagree
Agree includes “Strongly agree” and “Somewhat agree”
Democracy Perception Index 2023 16
Global Corporations
After economic inequality and corruption, global corporations are viewed as the third most significant threat to democracy by
people around the world.
Most people view global corporations as a threat to democracy in their country
% agree* that the influence of global corporations threatens democracy in their country
Philippines
Regional Results
India
In most democracies, a majority of people (60%)
Pakistan
say that the influence of global corporations
Romania
threatens democracy in their country.
United States
South Africa
Greece
Australia
Trend 2022 VS 2023
Peru
Ireland
Since 2022, concern has increased most
significantly in Singapore, Norway, Australia,
Taiwan
Hungary and Ukraine.
Canada
United Kingdom
Difference 2022 vs 2023
Portugal
Singapore +10
Hong Kong
Norway +8
Indonesia
Australia +7
Hungary +5
Mexico
Ukraine +4
Belgium
0% 50% 100%
Austria
France
Brazil
Italy
Spain
Israel
Hungary
Ukraine
Chile
Netherlands
Colombia
Switzerland
South Korea
Singapore
Germany
Malaysia
Kenya
Nigeria
Argentina
Morocco
Norway
Poland
Sweden
Japan
*Democracies include countries rated as “Free” and “Partly Free” by
Denmark Freedom house. Countries rated as “Not Free” are excluded.
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
“Democracy in my country is threatened by the influence of global corporations"
Strongly agree / Somewhat agree / Neither agree nor disagree / Somewhat disagree / Strongly disagree
*Agree includes “Strongly agree” and “Somewhat agree”
Democracy Perception Index 2023 17
Free Speech Limitations
Concern that free speech limitations are threatening democracy is also widespread across the world’s democracies (57%).
57% of people living in democracies are concerned with limits on free speech
% agree* that limits on free speech threatens democracy in their country
Nigeri a
P k n
a ista
Colom i b a
Trend 2022 VS 2023
Indi Since 2022, concern has grown most
B l
razi significantly in Switzerland, Norway, Sweden,
P d
olan Indonesia and Australia.
M x o
e ic
H K g
Difference 2022 vs 2023
ong on
P u
er
Switzerland +12
H ungar y
Norway +9
R a
Sweden +7
omani Indonesia +5
Indonesi a
Austria +5
M o
orocc 0% 50% 100%
P hilippine s
South Afric a
M alaysi a
U nited State s
Singapor e
K a
eny
Spai n
G e
reec
F e
ranc
Argentin a
South K a
ore
Chil
Uk e
rain
U K m
nited ingdo
Israe l
Canad a
Irelan d
Netherland s
P ortuga l
Switzerlan d
Ital
Swede n
T n
aiwa
B m
elgiu
Austri a
Australi a
Norwa y
G erman y
J n
apa
D enmar k *Democracies include countries rated as “Free” and “Partly Free” by
Freedom house. Countries rated as “Not Free” are excluded.
0% 25% 50% 7 5% 100%
“Democracy in my country is threatened by limitations on free speech"
Strongly agree / Somewhat agree / Neither agree nor disagree / Somewhat disagree / Strongly disagree
*Agree includes “Strongly agree” and “Somewhat agree”
Democracy Perception Index 2023 18
Unfair Elections
Across the democracies surveyed, about half of the population (54%) says that unfair elections and / or election fraud threatens
democracy in their country.
Fear of unfair elections is widespread in most democracies outside of Europe
% agree* that unfair elections and/or election fraud threaten democracy in their country
Nigeri a
Rg e ional R esults
Keny a
This fear of unfair elections is much lower in
P k a ista n
democracies in Europe (4 7%) than those in Asia
R omani a
(5 8%), Latin America ( 62%), or the U 61 .
S ( %)
South Afric a
P u
er
M x o
e ic
C a
olombi
Trend 2022 VS 2023
Hungar y
I a
ndi
Since 2022, concern has grown most
Uk e
significantly in Singapore, Switzerland, Norway,
rain
Hong Kong and Germany.
P d
olan
Hong Kon g
Difference 2022 vs 2023
P hilippines
Singapore +14
U nited States
Switzerland +12
I
ndonesi a
Norway +11
B razi l
Hong Kong +9
M a
Germany +9
alaysi
Argentin a
0% 50% 100%
Taiwa n
Greec e
South Kore a
C e
hil
J n
apa
F e
ranc
Singapor e
I l
srae
I y
tal
I
relan d
B m
elgiu
U nited Kingdo m
M orocc o
C anad a
Spai n
P ortuga l
Switzerlan d
Austri a
Netherlands
German y
Australi a
Norwa y
Swede n
D k
*Democracies include countries rated as “Free” and “Partly Free” by
enmar
Freedom house. Countries rated as “Not Free” are excluded.
0% 25% 50% 7 5% 100%
“Democracy in my country is threatened by unfair elections and/or election fraud"
Strongly agree / Somewhat agree / Neither agree nor disagree / Somewhat disagree / Strongly disagree
*Agree includes “Strongly agree” and “Somewhat agree”
D e m o c racy P e rc e pt i o n I n d ex 2 0 2 3 19
Big Tech
The next most-cited threat to democracy is the power of Big Tech companies. Half of the people living in democracies (49%) say
that the influence of Big Tech companies, such as Google, Amazon, Apple, and Facebook, threatens democracy in their country.
Half of the world's democracies fear the influence of Big Tech companies
% agree* that the power of big tech companies threatens democracy in their country
India
Regional Results
Philippines
Concern about the influence of Big Tech
United States
companies is higher in Asian democracies (57%)
Pakistan
than in European (47%) or Latin American (44%)
Hong Kong
democracies on average.
Ireland
Taiwan
Canada
South Korea
United Kingdom
France
Australia
Singapore
The United States
Netherlands
Out of all the democracies labelled as “free” by
Malaysia
Freedom House, the US has the highest share of
Morocco
people who fear the influence of Big Tech
Mexico
companies (65%).
Israel
Switzerland
Spain
Indonesia
Trend 2022 VS 2023
Romania
Since 2022, concern has grown most
Germany
significantly in Singapore and Norway.
Portugal
Belgium
Difference 2022 vs 2023
Brazil
Singapore +12
Norway
Norway +8
Greece
0% 50% 100%
Italy
Austria
Japan
Colombia
South Africa
Chile
Sweden
Peru
Hungary
Denmark
Ukraine
Argentina
Poland
Nigeria
*Democracies include countries rated as “Free” and “Partly Free” by
Kenya Freedom house. Countries rated as “Not Free” are excluded.
0% 25% 50% 7 5% 100%
“Democracy in my country is threatened by the influence of Big Tech companies (Google, Amazon, Apple, Facebook)"
Strongly agree / Somewhat agree / Neither agree nor disagree / Somewhat disagree / Strongly disagree
*Agree includes “Strongly agree” and “Somewhat agree”
Democracy Perception Index 2023 20
Foreign Election Interference
The least cited threat to democracy is foreign election interference - yet this still concerns nearly half of all people living in
democracies.
49% of people living in democracies perceive the threat of foreign election interference
% agree* that their democracy is threatened by election interference from foreign powers
Pakista n
Regional Results
Romania
This concern is evenly balanced across most
Philippine s
regions, but there are some significant
India
differences across countries ranging from
United States
Pakistan (75%) down to Japan (29%).
South Africa
Taiwa n
Greece
Trend 2022 VS 2023
Per u
022, concern has grown most
Kenya
Since 2
significantly in Singapore, Norway, Sweden,
Hong Kong
Switzerland and Germany.
Mexico
Netherlands
Difference 2022 vs 2023
Hungary
Singapore +17
Singapor e
Norway +11
Colombia
Sweden +9
zerland +8
Malaysia
Swit
Germany +7
Ukraine
% 50% %
Brazil
0 100
Canada
United Kingdom
Nigeria
Indonesia
Israel
Polan d
Swit zerland
Ireland
Chile
Germany
Swede n
Italy
South Korea
Australia
Spai n
Denmark
Austria
France
Belgium
Portuga l
Norway
Argentina
Morocco
*Democracies include countries rated as “Free” and “Partly Free” by
Japan
Freedom house. Countries rated as “Not Free” are excluded.
0 % 2 5% 50% 75% 100 %
“Democracy in my country is threatened by election interference from foreign powers"
Strongly agree / Somewhat agree / Neither agree nor disagree / Somewhat disagree / Strongly disagree
*Agree includes “Strongly agree” and “Somewhat agree”
D e m o c racy P e rc e pt i o n I n d ex 2 0 2 3 21
Social Media Influence
Across the democracies surveyed, more people say that social media platforms have a positive effect on democracy (57%) than
negative (28%).
Americans and Europeans are among the most critical of social media
% say social media platforms have a positive/negative impact on democracy in their country
negative positive Net
N igeri a
7 9
Regional Results
Keny a
68
However, there are strong regional
ndi
I a
67
divides, and people in Europe and
P hilippine s
65
the United States are far more
M e ic x o
62
critical of social media’s influence
Pa istan
k 62
than in Asia or Latin America.
P er u
5 9
ndonesi
I a
5 9
D emocracies *
C olom i b a
5 6
28 57
M alaysi a
5 4
Latin America
M orocc o
5 4
19 71
Hong on K g
5 2
Argentin a
5 2
Asia
Singapor e
5 0
20 69
U rain
k e
4 6
Europe
B ra i z l
4 2
35 46
South Afric a
4 0
C hil e
4 0
US
Taiwan
3 8
43 43
R omani a
3 6
P olan d
3 2
South ore K a
3 1
P ortuga l
2 3
Spain
2 3
N orwa y
2 2
tal
I y
16
relan
I d
14
The United States
Swit erlan z d
13
Americans are evenly divided on the
G reec e
12
issue, with 43% saying social media
apan
has a positive impact and 43%
J 11
srae
I l
7
saying that social media has a
D enmar k
5
negative impact.
Franc e
3
Sweden
2
Australi a
1
B elgiu m
0
United State s
0
Hungar y
-2
G erman y
-3
United ingdo K m
-4
C anad a
-7
Austri a
-16
*Democracies include countries rated as “ ree” and
F
“Partly ree” y reedom ouse. ountries rated as
etherlands 8
F b F H C
N -1
“Not ree” are e cluded.
F x
1 00 % 5 0 % 0 % 5 0 % 1 00 %
Overall, do you think that social media platforms (i.e. Facebook, Twitter) have a positive or negative impact on democracy in your country?
Very positive / Somewhat positive / Somewhat negative / Very negative / No impact / Don’t know
*Positive includes “Very positive” and “Somewhat positive”.
Democracy Perception Index 2023 22
TREND 2020-2023
Social Media Influence
Since 2020, attitudes towards social media have taken a steep negative decline in most democratic countries, particularly in
Europe and the United States. However this decline seems to have ended in many countries in 2023.
Overall, do you think that social
media platforms (i.e. Facebook,
Opinion of social media's impact on democracy takes negative turn
Twitter) have a positive or negative
impact on democracy in your since 2020
country?
Net opinion of social media platforms’ impact on democracy in 2020-2023 (% positive - % negative)
Very positive / Somewhat positive /
75%
Somewhat negative / Very negative /
No impact / Don’t know
63
latin America
asia 56
54
europe 52 52
48
us 50%
45
49
33
25%
16
14
11
8
0
0%
-6
-15
*Democracies include countries rated
as “Free” and “Partly Free” by
Freedom House. Countries rated as
“Not Free” are excluded.
-25%
2020 2021 2022 2023
Democracy Perception Index 2023 23
DEEP DIVE
Threats to Democracy in America
Americans are growing more and more concerned about threats to their democracy. Since 2021, fear of unfair elections has
increased most dramatically in the US (49% to 61%), but economic inequality remains the top perceived threat (69%).
k ey f indin gs
Since 2021, fear of unfair elections has increased most
dramatically in the US, but still lags behind concern about
inequality
% agree* that ______ is a threat to democracy in their country
2021 2023
Unfair Elections / Election Fraud +12
Free Speech Limits +7
Foreign Election Interference +7
Big Tech +3
Economic Inequality +8
25 % 50 % 75 %
Americans remain critical of social media platforms’ influence
on democracy
% say social media platforms have a positive/negative impact on democracy in their country
Negative POSITIVE Net
2020 36 50 14
2021 47 41 -6
2022 52 36 -15
2023 43 43 0
One third of Americans want more regulation on social
media content
net opinion* of social media regulation
Less regulation more regulation Net
2020 14 34 20
2021 21 36 15
2022 25 30 5
2023 20 34 14
Democracy Perception Index 2023 24
Government Priorities
Across the world, people’s top priorities for their government are: reduce poverty, fight corruption, and promote economic growth.
These policies are among the top three priorities picked in almost every region of the world, and have not changed globally since
2022.
People around the world want their governments to focus on poverty reduction
% select _____ as one of the top three areas that they want their government to focus more on
Which of the following areas do you want
Reduce poverty 39 your government to focus on more?
Fight corruption 36 Select up to three
Promote economic growth 33 Improve education
Fight climate change
Promote gender equality
Improve health care 32 Promote economic growth
Reduce poverty
Improve education 30 Invest in security and defense
Improve health care
Reduce income inequality 24 Fight corruption
Reduce immigration
Invest in security and defense 17 Reduce income inequality
Other / none of the above
Fight climate change 15
Reduce immigration 12
Promote gender equality 11
Other / none of the above 2
Priority
0% 25% 50%
Top priorities are poverty, corruption and economic growth.
the top priority selected by country
reduce poverty improve health care improve education fight CORRUPTION Fight climate change promote economic growth Reduce income inequality
Democracy Perception Index 2023 25
Government Priorities
% select _____ as one of their top three priorities for their government to focus more on
Reduce poverty Fight corruption
More people say that reducing poverty should be one of
Fighting corruption is the second most often cited priority
their government’s top three priorities than any other policy globally (36%). However, it is much more of a top priority for
listed (39%). This choice is widespread in both “free” and people living in the less democratic countries than for people
less free countries, as well as all regions around the world.
living in Western Europe.
Top 10 Top 10
Iran
53%
Ukraine
66%
Greece
52%
Kenya
62%
Portugal
51%
South Africa
61%
Argentina
49%
Indonesia
61%
Morocco
48%
Nigeria
54%
South Africa
48%
Peru
52%
Colombia
47%
Vietnam
51%
Indonesia
47%
Philippines
49%
Nigeria
46%
Algeria
48%
Malaysia 46% Malaysia 47%
Global Average Global Average
Global 39% Global 36%
Bottom 10 Bottom 10
India
31%
Switzerland
23%
Sweden
30%
France
22%
Singapore
28%
Canada
22%
Poland
28%
Australia
22%
Switzerland
28%
United Kingdom
20%
South Korea
27%
Norway
19%
Norway
27%
Netherlands
17%
Hong Kong
27%
Germany
17%
Vietnam
25%
Denmark
17%
Pakistan 25% Sweden 16%
key findings
Fight corruption
43%
37%
Fighting Corruption Reduce poverty
Improve education
35%
in China Improve health care
35%
More people in China say that fighting Reduce income inequality
32%
corruption should be one of their
Promote economic growth
31%
government’s top three priorities than
Invest in security and defense
17%
any of the other policy areas listed.
Promote gender equality
15%
Fight climate change
13%
Reduce immigration
5%
Other / none of the above 3%
Government Priorities
% select _____ as one of their top three priorities for their government to focus more on
Promote economic growth Improve health care
Similar to fighting corruption, promoting economic growth
When it comes to health care, the pattern is reversed: Europe
is much more of a top priority in Asia (39%) and Latin (41%) and the United states (35%) are far more concerned
America (42%) than it is in Europe (29%). than countries in Asia (25%) and Latin America (21%).
Top 10 Top 10
Indonesia
53%
Ireland
58%
Iran
52%
Poland
56%
Venezuela
51%
Hungary
56%
Malaysia
46%
Canada
53%
Taiwan
46%
Australia
52%
Ukraine
45%
United Kingdom
52%
Kenya
43%
Denmark
51%
Peru
43%
Sweden
49%
Argentina
43%
Spain
48%
Algeria 42% Brazil 45%
Global Average Global Average
Global 33% Global 32%
Bottom 10 Bottom 10
Portugal
24%
Venezuela
19%
Ireland
24%
Chile
19%
Norway
24%
Indonesia
16%
Netherlands
24%
Peru
16%
Switzerland
21%
Thailand
16%
Germany
21%
France
16%
Brazil
20%
South Korea
15%
France
19%
Colombia
15%
Sweden
18%
Mexico
13%
Austria 12% Iran 8%
key findings
2022 2023
Desire to improve healthcare Canada
+8
has increased most significantly in the following countries: Spain
+8
Canada (+8), Spain (+8), United Kingdom (+7), Austria (+7) United Kingdom
+7
and Denmark (+5) Austria
+7
Denmark +5
0% 50% 100%
Democracy Perception Index 2023 27
Government Priorities
% select _____ as one of their top three priorities for their government to focus more on
Improve education Reduce income inequality
One-third of people around the world (30%) say that
Reducing income inequality is much more of a priority in
improving education should be one of their government’s
“free” democracies (27%) than in less democratic countries
top three priorities. Education is more of a priority in Latin
(20%), and more in Europe (27%) and Asia (25%) than in
America (39%) than it is in Asia (30%) or Europe (26%).
Latin America (18%).
Top 10 Top 10
Peru
49%
Taiwan
40%
Morocco
44%
Japan
39%
India
44%
France
38%
Venezuela
40%
Singapore
36%
Brazil
39%
South Korea
34%
Egypt
39%
China
32%
Israel
39%
Hungary
31%
Pakistan
39%
Turkey
31%
Hungary
38%
Belgium
31%
Argentina 38% Poland 31%
Global Average Global Average
Global 30% Global 24%
Bottom 10 Bottom 10
Canada
23%
South Africa
15%
Hong Kong
23%
Philippines
14%
France
23%
Saudi Arabia
14%
Poland
22%
Algeria
13%
Sweden
22%
Indonesia
13%
Taiwan
22%
Pakistan
12%
Denmark
21%
Kenya
12%
United Kingdom
19%
Peru
10%
Ukraine
18%
Morocco
8%
Italy 17% Nigeria 6%
key findings Improve education Reduce income inequality
In Latin America, 26%
Europe
improving education is seen as a more important 27%
priority than reducing income inequality.
30%
Asia
25%
39%
Latin America
18%
0% 25% 50%
D e mocracy P e rc e pt i o n I nde x 2023 28
Government Priorities
% select _____ as one of their top three priorities for their government to focus more on
Invest in security and defense Fight climate change
Only 17% of people around the world, on average, choose
Only 15% of people globally selected “fight climate change”
security and defense as one of their top three priorities for
as one of their top three priorities for their government. This
their government.
sentiment is much higher in Western Europe than the rest of
the world.
Top 10 Top 10
Nigeria
36%
Denmark
34%
Israel
33%
Switzerland
32%
Chile
30%
Germany
31%
Peru
28%
Australia
29%
Russia
27%
Vietnam
28%
Ukraine
27%
Austria
28%
Sweden
26%
France
26%
Mexico
26%
Canada
26%
South Korea
25%
Norway
25%
Argentina 24% United Kingdom 25%
Global Average Global Average
Global 17% Global 15%
Bottom 10 Bottom 10
Spain
10%
Brazil
6%
Portugal
10%
Iran
6%
Venezuela
10%
Algeria
5%
Philippines
10%
Morocco
5%
Pakistan
10%
Indonesia
5%
Hungary
9%
Nigeria
4%
Canada
8%
Russia
4%
Ireland
8%
Peru
3%
Iran
7%
Ukraine
3%
Indonesia 6% Venezuela 1%
2022 2023
key findings
Israel
+4
+1
Security and defense Russia
Ukraine
-7
Despite increasing global tensions, public desire to invest South Korea
+2
more in security and defense does not appear to be Taiwan
+2
increasing in many key countries around the world. Poland
-9
Germany
-2
Japan
-7
China
+1
France
-2
Turkey
+4
United States
-2
Australia
-1
Iran -2
0% 25% 50%
Government Priorities
% select _____ as one of their top three priorities for their government to focus more on
Promote gender equality Reduce immigration
Only 11% of people globally select “promote gender equality”
While only 12% of people globally selected “reduce
as one of their top three priorities for their government
migration” as one of their top three priorities for their
government to focus on, it is far more of a top priority in
Europe than in the rest of the world.
Top 10 Top 10
Iran
20%
Austria
34%
India
19%
Germany
31%
Sweden
18%
Netherlands
30%
Switzerland
17%
France
28%
Singapore
17%
Sweden
27%
Poland
16%
Chile
26%
Saudi Arabia
16%
Belgium
25%
Norway
15%
Ireland
23%
South Korea
15%
United Kingdom
22%
Hong Kong 15% Switzerland 20%
Global Average Global Average
Global 11% Global 12%
Bottom 10 Bottom 10
Argentina
6%
Russia
5%
Hungary
5%
Iran
4%
Brazil
5%
Thailand
4%
Algeria
5%
Pakistan
4%
Peru
5%
Ukraine
4%
Nigeria
4%
Philippines
3%
Indonesia
3%
Indonesia
3%
Russia
3%
Kenya
2%
Ukraine
3%
Brazil
1%
Venezuela 1% Nigeria 1%
key findings
Reduce poverty
53%
Gender Equality in Iran Promote economic growth
52%
The share of people who want their Fight corruption
40%
government to prioritize gender equality Reduce income inequality
30%
has increased significantly in Iran since Improve education
27%
2022, nearly doubling from 13% to 20%. Promote gender equality
20%
More Iranians now say this should be a Improve health care
8%
priority for their government than any Invest in security and defense
7%
other country surveyed (though it still falls Fight climate change
6%
well behind other economic priorities).
Reduce immigration
4%
Other / none of the above 2%
DEEP DIVE
Climate Change
Across the 53 countries surveyed, only 15% of the people picked “Fight Climate Change” as one of their top three priorities for their
government. There are huge regional differences: 20% in Europe, versus 14% in Asia and 6% in Latin America.
Fighting climate change is a higher priority for people living in “free” democracies
% select "Fight Climate Change" as one of their top three priorities
Which of the following areas do you want
your government to focus on more?
Global 15
Select up to three
Improve education
Free 19 Fight climate change
Promote gender equality
Less Free 10 Promote economic growth
Reduce poverty
Invest in security and defense
Improve health care
Europe 20 Fight corruption
Reduce immigration
Asia 14 Reduce income inequality
Other / none of the above
Latin America 6
US 20
China 13
Russia 4
0% 25% 50%
Democracy Perception Index 2023 31
chapter iII
Global Politics
Perception of Global Powers
33
US Impact on Democracy
44
Economic Ties with Russia
46
Economic Ties with China
49
Russia-China Relations
52
Assistance to Ukraine
53
World Challenges
54
Prioritizing Climate Change 55
Democracy Perception Index 2023 32
Perception of Global Powers
Most people around the world have a positive perception of the European Union (+35), the United Nations (+34), and the
United States (+27), and a negative perception of Russia (-19).
What is your overall perception of
the European Union / the United
Most people have positive perceptions of the EU, the UN, and the US
Nations / the United States / China net perception: % say they have a positive perception - % say they have a negative perception
/ Russia?
Very positive / Somewhat positive / 40%
Neither positive nor negative /
Somewhat negative / Very negative /
Don’t know
35 34
32
*"Positive" includes "very positive" 30
and "somewhat positive".
27
20% 22
2022
2023
0%
4 0
19
-20%
32
-40%
EU UN US China Russia
When it comes to perceptions of China, however, the world is more evenly divided: across all 53
countries, the average share of positive opinions is the same as the negative opinions, resulting in a
net perception of 0.
Democracy Perception Index 2023 33
Perception of the European Union
The European Union is viewed positively around the world (+35), with more people saying they have a positive perception of the
EU than a negative perception in almost all countries: 51 out of the 53 countries surveyed.
The EU is viewed positively by countries all around the world - except Russia and China
net perception of the EU: % positive - % negative
net negative net positive
Ukraine
Ukrainians
Nigeria
have the most positive
Kenya
opinion of the EU
Vietnam
Portugal
India
Colombia
Pakistan
Philippines
Poland
Peru
Ireland
Venezuela
Egypt
Mexico
Spain
Hong Kong
Romania
Brazil
Chile
Thailand
Regional Results
Morocco
Within the EU, Greece and Austria have
Iran
the most divided opinions.
Norway
Argentina
Only two countries have net negative
South Africa
opinions of the EU: Russia and China.
Denmark
Sweden
South Korea
net negative net positive
Singapore
Global 35
Taiwan
Israel
Canada
Free 32
Australia
Less Free 39
Turkey
Malaysia
Latin America 45
Germany
Europe 32
Switzerland
United States
Asia 36
Saudi Arabia
United Kingdom
USA 26
Algeria
China -6
Indonesia
Russia -26
Belgium
Italy
Hungary
Netherlands
France
Japan
Greece
Austria
China
Russia
-100% -50% 0% 50% 100%
What is your overall perception of the European Union?
Very positive / Somewhat positive / Neither positive nor negative / Somewhat negative / Very negative / Don’t know
*"Positive" includes "very positive" and "somewhat positive".
Democracy Perception Index 2023 34
TREND 2022 vs 2023
Russia 2022 2023
Diff
Perception of Russia
-2
the European Oceania
Australia
Union North America
Canada
-5
Attitudes towards the EU have United States
improved in most parts of the
Middle East & North Africa
world from 2022 to 2023 except
Egypt
12
for in Europe, where positive
Morocco
-20
attitudes have decreased Iran
18
slightly in several countries. Israel
11
Turkey
11
Saudi Arabia
-4
Algeria
-3
What is your overall perception of the European Union?
Latin
America
Very positive / Somewhat positive / Neither positive nor
Colombia
8
negative / Somewhat negative / Very negative / Don’t
know
Peru
3
Venezuela
10
*"Positive" includes "very positive" and "somewhat
positive".
Mexico
9
Brazil
3
Chile
11
Argentina
5
Europe
Ukraine
7
Portugal
3
Poland
-8
Ireland
-3
Spain
2
Romania
-13
Norway
2
Denmark
2
Sweden
-1
Switzerland
4
Germany
-7
United Kingdom
-1
Italy
0
Belgium
-8
Hungary
-11
France
-5
Netherlands
-6
Greece
5
Austria
-8
Asia
Vietnam
11
India
8
Pakistan
16
Philippines
7
Hong Kong
9
Thailand
2
Singapore
14
South Korea
0
Taiwan
6
Malaysia
6
Indonesia
14
Japan
-4
China
10
Africa
Nigeria
2
Kenya
4
South Africa 1
-100% net negative 0% net positive 100%
Perception of the United Nations
Similarly to the European Union, the United Nations is viewed positively around the world (+34), with more people saying they
have a positive perception of the UN than a negative perception in almost all countries: 51 out of the 53 countries surveyed.
The UN is viewed positively by almost all countries around the world
net perception of the UN: % positive - % negative
net negative net positive
Kenya
Nigeria
Vietnam
India
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Pakistan
Colombia
Brazil
Ukraine
Morocco
Denmark
Mexico
Hong Kong
Thailand
Regional Results
Egypt
Only two countries have net negative
South Africa
opinions of the UN: Japan, and Russia.
Indonesia
Venezuela
net negative net positive
Malaysia
Peru
Global 34
Romania
Norway
Free 28
Ireland
Sweden
Less Free 41
United Kingdom
Spain
Latin America 39
Singapore
Asia 39
United States
Europe 31
South Korea
Turkey
Germany
USA 32
Chile
China 18
Australia
Russia -12
Switzerland
Canada
Netherlands
Hungary
Saudi Arabia
Argentina
Italy
Algeria
France
Belgium
China
Iran
Taiwan
Austria
Israel
Greece
Russia
Japan
-1 00 % -5 0 % 0% 50% 1 00 %
What is your overall perception of the United Nations?
Very positive / Somewhat positive / Neither positive nor negative / Somewhat negative / Very negative / Don’t know
*"Positive" includes "very positive" and "somewhat positive".
Democracy Perception Index 2023 36
Perception of the United States
The United States is also viewed positively around world (+27), with more people saying they have a positive perception
of the US than a negative perception in most countries: 48 out of the 53 countries surveyed.
The United States is viewed positively in most countries around the world
net perception of the US: % positive - % negative
net negative net positive
Nigeria
Ukraine
Kenya
India
Vietnam
Poland
Philippines
Colombia
Israel
Morocco
Venezuela
Brazil
Peru
United States
Pakistan
Hong Kong
Regional Results
Thailand
Europeans are more divided about their
Mexico
opinion of the US than people in the rest of
South Korea
the world.
Egypt
Iran
Romania
net negative net positive
Chile
Global 27
South Africa
Taiwan
Portugal
Free 22
Argentina
Less Free 33
Algeria
Singapore
Latin America 44
Denmark
Asia 29
Japan
Saudi Arabia
Europe 18
France
Netherlands
USA 43
Norway
China -49
Switzerland
Russia -35
Italy
United Kingdom
Ireland
Sweden
Malaysia
Germany
Turkey
Spain
Belgium
Indonesia
Canada
Hungary
Greece
Australia
Austria
Russia
China
-100% -50% 0% 50% 100%
What is your overall perception of the United States?
Very positive / Somewhat positive / Neither positive nor negative / Somewhat negative / Very negative / Don’t know
*"Positive" includes "very positive" and "somewhat positive".
Democracy Perception Index 2023 37
TREND 2022 vs 2023
Russia 2022 2023
Diff
Perception Russia
Oceania
of the United Australia
-16
States North America
Canada
-2
Positive attitudes towards the
United States
United States have increased in
Middle East & North Africa
most parts of the world from
Israel
12
2022 to 2023, particularly in
Morocco
-4
Asia, Latin America and “Less-
Egypt
15
free” countries globally.
Iran
21
Algeria
0
Saudi Arabia
-3
In several key US allies,
Turkey
15
however, attitudes towards the
Latin
America
US have become less positive,
Colombia
5
including Poland, South Korea,
Venezuela
13
Japan and Australia
Brazil
8
Peru
10
Mexico
14
Chile
12
Argentina
7
What is your overall perception of the United States?
Very positive / Somewhat positive / Neither positive nor Europe
negative / Somewhat negative / Very negative / Don’t
Ukraine
15
know
Poland
-10
*"Positive" includes "very positive" and "somewhat
Romania
-9
positive".
Portugal
2
Denmark
6
France
1
Norway
6
Switzerland
16
United Kingdom
2
Italy
11
Netherlands
4
Ireland
6
Sweden
-4
Germany
-1
Spain
-6
Belgium
-5
Hungary
1
Greece
9
Austria
-11
Asia
India
11
Vietnam
12
Philippines
14
Pakistan
13
Hong Kong
15
Thailand
8
South Korea
-5
Taiwan
5
Singapore
16
Japan
-5
Malaysia
5
Indonesia
17
China
Africa
Nigeria
6
Kenya
6
South Africa -4
-100% net negative 0% net positive 100%
Perception of China
Views towards China divide the world: western democracies, particularly the United States, European countries, Australia, Japan
and South Korea, have negative views of China, while the rest of the world has more mixed or positive views.
The world is divided in its views toward China
net perception of China: % positive - % negative
net negative net positive
Chin a
Pakistan
Russia
Nigeria
Algeria
Kenya
Morocco
Egypt
Saudi Arabi a
Mexico
Singapor e
Peru
Hong Kon g
Thailand
Colombia
Regional Results
Venezuela
South Afric a
Attitudes towards China are much more
Malaysia
positive in democratic countries labeled as
Vietnam
“free” by Freedom House, than in less
Turkey
democratic countries labeled as “less free”.
Chile
Argentina
Romania
Indonesia
net negative net positive
Ukraine
Philippines
Global 0
Brazil
India
Free -21
Greece
Less Free 26
Switzerland
Israel
Europe
Hungar y
-23
Poland
Asia 10
Norway
Latin America 15
Italy
Taiwan
USA -26
United State s
60
Russia
Ireland
Netherlands
China 82
Portugal
Denmark
France
Iran
Spain
Belgium
South Korea
United Kingdo m
German y
Austri
Sweden
Australia
Canada
Japan
-1 00 % -5 0 % 0 % 50% 1 00 %
What is your overall perception of China?
Very positive / Somewhat positive / Neither positive nor negative / Somewhat negative / Very negative / Don’t know
*"Positive" includes "very positive" and "somewhat positive".
Democracy Perception Index 2023 39
Perception of China
People around the world are divided about their views towards China, with an identical share of people saying they have a
positive opinion as negative opinion. Perceptions of China are much more negative in Europe and the United States than in the rest
of the world, where they are either mixed or positive.
The world is divided in its view towards China
net perception of China: % positive - % negative
What is your overall perception of China?
positive
Very positive / Somewhat positive / Neither positive nor negative /
Somewhat negative / Very negative / Don’t know -100% 100%
Democracy Perception Index 2023 40
TREND 2022 vs 2023
Russia
Perception
Diff
2022 2023
Russia
-5
of China Oceania
Australia
Perceptions of China have North America
taken a slight positive turn Canada
-2
from 2022 to 2023 around the United States
1 6
world.
Middle East & North Africa
Algeria
7
The countries with the most Morocco
-4
positive increases are South Egypt
10
Korea (+34), Vietnam (+25), Saudi Arabia
3
Turkey
23
Singapore (+23) and Turkey Israel
-8
(+23), while the countries with Iran
-10
the most negative changes are Latin America
Iran (-10) and Ukraine (-20).
Mexico
4
Peru
5
What is your overall perception of China?
Colombia
1
Very positive / Somewhat positive / Neither positive nor Venezuela
7
negative / Somewhat negative / Very negative / Don’t Chile
0
know
Argentina
6
*"Positive" includes "very positive" and "somewhat Brazil
4
positive".
Europe
Romania
1
Ukraine
-20
Greece
-7
Switzerland
1 6
Hungary
4
Poland
3
Norway
18
Italy
5
Ireland
8
Netherlands
6
Portugal
3
Denmark
8
France
1
Spain
-7
Belgium
-1
United Kingdom
1
Germany
4
Austria
5
Sweden
4
Asia
China
-8
Pakistan
-10
Singapore
23
Hong Kong
9
Thailand
-1
Malaysia
-5
Vietnam
25
Indonesia
11
Philippines
2
India
-3
Taiwan
10
South Korea
34
Japan
-9
Africa
Nigeria
10
Kenya
7
South Africa 6
-100% net negative 0% net positive 100%
Perception of Russia
Most countries have negative views of Russia. The only countries with a positive perception of Russia are in Asia or the Middle
East, led by Russia, India and China. Collectively, however, these countries represent a majority of the world’s population.
Russia is viewed vely
negati in most countries
net perception of Russia: % positive - % negative
net negative net positive
Russi a
Indi a
Chin a
Algeri a
Pa kistan
Vietnam
Egyp t
Indonesi a
Tur key
Saudi Arabi a
Hong Kong
Philippine s
Malaysi a
Morocc o
Nigeria
Regional Results
Me xico
Singapor e
People in western democracies, particularly
Thailan d
in Europe and America, have the most
Per u
negative perceptions of Russia.
Venezuela
Kenya
Colombi a
net negative net positive
Swit zerland
Greec e
Global -19
South Afric a
South Korea
Free -44
Chil e
Less Free 10
Taiwa n
Argentin a
Europe -49
Hungar y
United State s
Latin America -18
Romani a
Asia 9
Brazil
Ital y
USA -35
Franc e
China 44
Ira n
Russia 73
Norway
Israe l
Austri a
Belgium
Canad a
Netherlands
German y
Irelan d
Swede n
Australi a
United Kingdom
Denmark
Spai n
Japan
Polan d
Portuga l
U kraine
-1 00 % -5 0 % 0 % 50% 1 00 %
What is your overall perception of Russia?
Very positive / Somewhat positive / Neither positive nor negative / Somewhat negative / Very negative / Don’t know
*"Positive" includes "very positive" and "somewhat positive".
D e m o c racy P e rc e pt i o n I n d ex 2 0 2 3 42
TREND 2022 vs 2023
Russia 2022 2023
Diff
Perception Russia
-3
of Russia Oceania
Australia
While most countries in 2023 North America
still have a negative view of Canada
12
Russia, attitudes are far less United States
27
negative than they were one
Middle East & North Africa
year ago.
Algeria
13
Egypt
18
This decline in negative Saudi Arabia
4
Turkey
attitudes occurred in almost all
41
Morocco
6
countries, even in the western Israel
-9
democracies that remain the Iran
-8
most critical of Russia.
Latin
America
Mexico
25
What is your overall perception of Russia?
Peru
29
Very positive / Somewhat positive / Neither positive 22
Venezuela
nor negative / Somewhat negative / Very negative /
Don’t know
Colombia
18
Chile
22
*"Positive" includes "very positive" and "somewhat
positive".
Argentina
14
Brazil
21
Europe
Greece
1
Switzerland
25
Hungary
4
Romania
18
Italy
14
France
12
Norway
18
Austria
16
Netherlands
9
Belgium
8
Germany
11
Ireland
1 5
Sweden
13
Denmark
16
United Kingdom
8
Spain
0
Poland
15
Portugal
10
Ukraine
-5
Asia
India
14
China
-5
Pakistan
11
Vietnam
6
Indonesia
5
Hong Kong
22
Philippines
17
Malaysia
1
Singapore
33
Thailand
5
South Korea
39
Taiwan
20
Japan
-3
Africa
Nigeria
14
Kenya
13
South Africa 7
-100% net negative 0% net positive 100%
US Impact on Democracy
Across the 53 countries surveyed, an average of 51% of people say that the United States has a positive impact on democracy
around the world, while 33% say it’s negative.
World is split about the US’s impact on democracy worldwide
net opinion* of the US's influence on democracy worldwide
Overall, do you think the United States has a positive or negative impact on democracy around the world?
net negative net positive
Very positive / Somewhat positive / Somewhat negative / Very negative / No impact / Don’t know
*Net opinion is calculated as % positive - % negative.
-100% 100%
key findings
There are strong regional net negative net positive Net
divides in perceptions of the US Global
Free 36
33
48
51 18
12
On one hand, many developing countries, particularly Less Free 30 54 24
in Latin America and Eastern Europe, have
overwhelmingly positive assessments of the US’s Latin America 27 60 33
impact.
Asia
39
29
44
55 26
Europe 5
On the other hand, Russia, China, and Greece have
the most negative perceptions.
US 28 57 29
And lastly, in most Western European countries, as China 64 16 -48
well as in Canada and Australia, opinion is very Russia 70 14 -56
evenly divided.
-100% -50% 0% 50% 100%
Democracy Perception Index 2 0 23 44
TREND 2020-2023
US Impact on Democracy
Over the past three years, from 2020 to 2023, perceptions of US's global influence have become slightly more positive around the
world, especially across Europe.
Overall, do you think the United
States has a positive or negative
Perception of US influence on global democracy becomes more positive
since 2020
impact on democracy around the
world?
Net opinion of the US’s impact on democracy in 2020-2023 (% positive - % negative)
Very positive / Somewhat positive /
Somewhat negative / Very negative /
50%
No impact / Don’t know
GLOBAL
asia
33
europe
29
Latin america 27
26
25%
19 26 19
17
13
net positive
18
15
6
5
6
0%
-7
net negative
-14
-25%
-50%
2020 2021 2022 2023
Democracy Perception Index 2023 45
Economic Ties with Russia
When asked if they think their countries should cut economic ties with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, western democracies
are more in favor of cutting ties than keeping ties. The rest of the world however has mixed opinions or would rather keep ties.
Western democracies want to cut economic ties with Russia
net support for keeping economic ties with Russia: % keep ties - % cut ties
Do you think your country should cut economic ties with Russia because of the war in Ukraine?
cut TIES keep ties
Yes / No / Don’t know [Question excluded in Russian questionnaire]
“Cut ties” = “Yes”, “Keep ties = “No”.
-100% 100%
key findings
cut ties Keep ties
Support for cutting ties with Global -2
Russia divides the West from Free -16
the rest Less Free 15
Europe -22
Western democracies, particularly Europe and the US,
Latin America 8
have far more people willing to cut ties with Russia than Asia 15
keep ties with Russia. The rest of the world however has MENA 13
mixed opinions or would rather keep ties.
US -27
China 55
-75% 0% 75%
Democracy Perception Index 2023 46
Economic Ties with Russia
When asked if they think their countries should cut economic ties with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, people in 23 out of the
52 countries surveyed are more in favour of cutting ties than keeping ties.
Western democracies want to cut economic ties with Russia
net support for keeping economic ties with Russia: % keep ties - % cut ties
CUT TIES Keep ties
China
Indonesia
Vietnam
Algeria
Hungary
Greece
Turkey
Kenya
Mexico
Morocco
Philippines
Peru
Malaysia
Singapore
Egypt
Israel
Hungary and Greece are the
Nigeria
only countries in Europe where
South Korea
Colombia
more people prefer to keep ties
Saudi Arabia
with Russia
India
Thailand
Hungary
Pakistan
35%
Chile
Brazil
Greece
South Africa
29%
Hong Kong
Argentina
Austria
Taiwan
Italy
Venezuela
France
Romania
Switzerland
Belgium
Germany
Japan
Portugal
United States
Ireland
Netherlands
Iran
Australia
Canada
Norway
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
Denmark
Poland
Ukraine
-75% -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75%
Do you think your country should cut economic ties with Russia because of the war in Ukraine?
Yes / No / Don’t know [Question excluded in Russian questionnaire]
“Cut ties” = “Yes”, “Keep ties = “No”.
Democracy Perception Index 2023 47
TREND 2022 vs 2023 Oceania
Economic
2022 2023 Diff
Australia
15
Ties with North America
Russia
Canada
12
United States
18
Middle East & North Africa
Support for cutting economic Algeria
-1
ties with Russia over its Turkey
3
invasion of Ukraine remains Morocco
-4
Egypt
high in Europe and the United Israel
-5
-13
States even after several Saudi Arabia
-1
rounds of sanctions. Yet this Iran
-25
support is weaker now than it
Latin
America
was one year ago, in the spring Mexico
2
of 2022.
Peru
11
Colombia
11
Chile
Several countries have shifted Brazil
13
from preferring to cut ties to Argentina
9
now preferring to keep ties. Venezuela
10
These countries include: South
Europe
Korea, Singapore, India, Brazil Hungary
4
and Chile.
Greece
-5
Austria
15
Italy
Almost all countries in Latin Romania
11
America, Asia and the MENA France
11
region prefer keeping ties with Switzerland
9
Russia, while almost all Belgium
5
Germany
10
countries in Europe still prefer Portugal
16
cutting ties.
Ireland
20
Netherlands
10
Norway
12
Spain
2
Do you think your country should cut economic Sweden
13
ties with Russia because of the war in Ukraine?
United Kingdom
11
Yes / No / Don’t know [Question excluded in Russian Denmark
10
questionnaire]
Poland
6
“Cut ties” = “Yes”, “Keep ties = “No”. Ukraine
0
Asia
China
-7
Indonesia
-5
Vietnam
-3
Philippines
-6
Malaysia
4
Singapore
20
South Korea
30
India
15
Thailand
-4
Pakistan
-3
Hong Kong
8
Taiwan
12
Japan
Africa
Kenya
5
Nigeria
-3
South Africa -6
-100% cut ties 0% Keep ties 100%
Economic Ties with China
In 26 out of the 52 countries surveyed, more people say they would be in favour of their country cutting economic ties with China -
if it invaded Taiwan - than keeping ties. These countries include many of China’s top trading partners such as the United States,
Japan, and Germany.
If China invades Taiwan, half of the world would want to cut economic ties
net support for keeping economic ties with China if it invaded Taiwan: % keep ties - % cut ties
CUT ties Keep ties
If China started a military invasion of Taiwan, do you think your country should cut economic ties with China?
Yes / No / Don’t know [Question excluded in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong]
-100% 100%
“Cut ties” = “Yes”, “Keep ties = “No”.
key findings
cut ties keep ties
Support for cutting ties with Global -2
China divides the West from Free -12
the rest
Less Free 10
People in western democracies are generally in favor of Europe -13
Latin America 3
cutting ties with China in the event of an invasion. Most 5
Asia
other countries, however, have mixed attitudes or clearly 6
MENA
prefer keeping ties.
US -25
Russia 54
-75% 0% 75%
Democracy Perception Index 2023 49
Economic Ties with China
If China invades Taiwan, half of the world would want to cut economic ties
net support for keeping economic ties with China if it invaded Taiwan: % keep ties - % cut ties
CUT TIES Keep ties
Russia
Indonesia
Hungary
Kenya
Singapore
Algeria
Pakistan
Vietnam
Mexico
Nigeria
Greece
Malaysia
Turkey
Morocco
Israel
Hungary, Greece, and Romania
Thailand
are the only countries in Europe
Peru
where more people would rather
Colombia
South Africa
keep ties with China.
Egypt
Romania
KEEP TIES
Chile
South Korea
Hungary
Saudi Arabia
27%
Philippines
Greece
Argentina
16%
Austria
Brazil
Romania
Switzerland
4%
Belgium
Germany
Venezuela
Many of China's largest
France
trading partners are among
Norway
the countries where more
Italy
Netherlands
people would rather cut ties
Ireland
than keep ties.
Portugal
Iran
CUT TIES
Poland
Ukraine
Japan
India
-32%
United States
Spain
Australia
Australia
-29%
Canada
United States
Japan
-25%
United Kingdom
Denmark
Germany
Sweden -8%
-75% -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75%
If China started a military invasion of Taiwan, do you think your country should cut economic ties with China?
Yes / No / Don’t know [Question excluded in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong]
“Cut ties” = “Yes”, “Keep ties = “No”.
Democracy Perception Index 2023 50
TREND 2022 vs 2023
Russia 2022 2023
Economic
Diff
Russia
Ties with Oceania
Australia
China
10
North America
Canada
Since 2022, attitudes towards
7
United States
13
economic ties with China have
stayed relatively stable across Middle East & North Africa
Algeria
most of the globe. The countries Turkey
-6
where opinions have shifted in
2
Morocco
-12
the direction of keeping ties are Israel
-15
South Korea, Singapore and Egypt
-11
Saudi Arabia
Vietnam.
-8
Iran
-19
Attitudes in a handful of Latin
America
Mexico
European countries have also Peru
-1
shifted in this direction, but Colombia
3
remain still in favor of cutting Chile
3
ties: Germany, Norway, Ireland, Argentina
8
Brazil
the United States and the
7
Venezuela
7
United Kingdom.
Europe
Hungary
0
If China started a military invasion of Taiwan, Greece
-14
do you think your country should cut economic
ties with China?
Romania
0
Yes / No / Don’t know [Question excluded in China, Austria
12
Taiwan, and Hong Kong]
Switzerland
2
“Cut ties” = “Yes”, “Keep ties = “No”. Belgium
5
Germany
16
France
4
Norway
15
Italy
-3
Netherlands
6
Ireland
14
Portugal
11
Poland
7
Ukraine
-10
Spain
3
United Kingdom
13
Denmark
10
Sweden
5
Asia
Indonesia
0
Singapore
17
Vietnam
15
Pakistan
-4
Malaysia
5
Thailand
-3
South Korea
2 6
Philippines
-4
India
2
Japan
10
Africa
Kenya
1
Nigeria
2
South Africa -5
-100% cut ties 0% Keep ties 100%
D EE P DI VE
Russia-China Relations
Public attitudes in Russia and China about each other’s countries are very positive and share much in common.
k ey f indin gs
Both the Russians and Chinese hold very favorable views of
each other’s countries
% say they have a positive/negative perception of China/Russia
Negative POSITIVE
Russia 5 65
China 9 53
They both overwhelmingly support keeping economic ties
with each other
% say they want to keep/cut economic ties with China if it invaded Taiwan/Russia because of the war in Ukraine
cut ties keep ties
Russia 8 62
China 8 63
They both hold the world’s most negative perceptions of the
United States
% say they have a positive/negative perception of the United States
Negative POSITIVE
Russia 52 17
China 62 13
They are the only two countries to have net negative
perceptions of the European Unio n
% say they have a positive/negative perception of the E uropean Unio n
Negative POSITIVE
Russia 4 2 17
China 29 23
W hen it comes to the United Nations , however , they have
different opinions
% say they have a positive/negative perception of the United Nations
Negative POSITIVE
Russia 31 19
China 17 35
D e m o c racy P e rc e pt i o n I n d ex 2 0 2 3 52
Assistance to Ukraine
Across the 52 countries, around one third (35%) of the respondents say that the US, EU, and NATO have done too little to assist
Ukraine during the Russian invasion, while the remaining half say that they have done the right amount (48%) and 17% say
they’ve done too much.
Half of the world says that the US, EU, and NATO have done the right amount to help Ukraine
% say the US, EU, and NATO have done too little, too much, or the right amount to assist Ukraine
Too little right amount too much
Chile
Peru
Ukraine
Colombia
Argentina
Israel
Brazil
Venezuela
South Africa
Australia
Mexico
Spain
Canada
Poland
Ireland
Regional Results
Portugal
Sweden
The countries that are the most likely to say that
United Kingdom
the US, the EU, and NATO have done too little to
Greece
assist Ukraine during the Russian Invasion are
Iran
mainly in countries in Latin America (53%).
Turkey
China is the only country where more people say
Nigeria
that the US, EU and NATO have done “too much”
Denmark
Pakistan
(47%) than the “right amount” (44%).
Taiwan
Norway
Too little right amount too much
Kenya
Japan
Global
United States
Saudi Arabia
Free
Malaysia
Less Free
Netherlands
South Korea
Asia
Hong Kong
Europe
India
Latin America
Singapore
Belgium
China
US
Philippines
Egypt
25% 50% 75% 100%
France
0%
Switzerland
Romania
Italy
Morocco
Algeria
Indonesia
Germany
Austria
Thailand
Vietnam
Hungary
China
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Do you think the US, EU, and NATO have done too little, too much, or the right amount to assist Ukraine during the Russian invasion?
Too much / The right amount / Too little [Question excluded in Russian questionnaire]
Democracy Perception Index 2023 53
World Challenges
According to people around the globe, the world’s top challenges are “war and violent conflict”, followed by “poverty and hunger”
and “climate change”. These concerns differ across regions, with Europe and Asia more concerned about war, and the rest of the
world more concerned about poverty and hunger.
War and poverty are seen as the world's top two challenges
% select _____ as one of the world's top three biggest challenges right now
In your opinion, which of the following do
War and violent conflict 45 you think are the world’s top three biggest
challenges right now?
Poverty and hunger 41
Select up to three
Climate change 32
Climate change
War and violent conflict
Economic instability 31 Poverty and hunger
Economic inequality
Economic inequality 24 Racism and discrimination against minorities
Global pandemics (COVID)
Terrorism 21 Terrorism
Economic instability
Global pandemics (Covid) 21 Authoritarian governments
Migration
None of the above
Racism and discrimination 18
Authoritarian governments 14
Migration 12
None of the above 2
CHALLENGE
0% 25% 50%
Half of the world says war is the top global challenge - the other half says poverty
the top challenge selected by country
War and violent conflict Terrorism Poverty and hunger E conomic instability E conomic inequality C limate change
Democracy Perception Index 2023 54
Prioritizing Climate Change
While climate change is viewed as one of the world’s top three biggest challenges by 32% of the world’s population, only 15% say
that it should be a top priority for their government. People in western democracies, particularly in Europe, are the most likely to
both perceive climate change as a major global challenge and as a top priority for their government.
Many people think climate change is one of the world's top challenges. But far fewer say it
should be a top priority for their government.
% say climate change is one of the world's top three biggest challenges vs. % say fighting climate change should be one of their government's top three priorities
government priority world challenge Diff
Kenya
33
Regional Results
Denmark
14
Philippine s
27
Global 15% 17 32%
Vietnam
16
Germany
13
South Korea
23
Free 9
1 % 17 6
3 %
Austria
15
France
16
Less Free 0
1 % 18 8
2 %
Australia
13
Italy
19
United Kingdom
15
Europe 0
2 % 16 6
3 %
Switzerland
8
Asia 14% 18 32%
Belgium
16
Hungary
28
Latin America 6% 22 8
2 %
Sweden
16
Canada
12
Singapore
14
USA 0
2 % 7 7
2 %
Chile
25
China 13% 15 2 % 8
Taiwan
23
Spain
21
Russia 4% 11 15%
Ireland
17
Poland
15
Israel
25
Netherlands
14
Norway
9
South Africa
23
Argentina
26
Colombia
24
Portugal
19
Egypt
19
Pakistan
20
Greece
19
Peru
25
Mexico
19
India
16
China
15
Japan
19
Romania
19
United States
7
Iran
20
Thailand
17
Turkey
14
Hong Kong
11
Nigeria
20
Morocco
19
Malaysia
15
In your opinion, which of the following do you think are
Brazil
17
the world’s top three biggest challenges right now?
Algeria
17
Climate change / War and violent conflict / Poverty and
Indonesia
16
hunger etc
Saudi Arabia
8
Venezuela
19
Which of the following areas do you want your
Ukraine
15
government to focus on more?
Fight climate change / Improve education / Promote
Russia 11 gender equality etc
0% 25 % 50 %
Democracy Perception Index 2023 55
chapter iII
Democracy under COVID
Government Response
57
COVID Restrictions 59
Democracy Perception Index 2023 56
Government Response
Across all 53 countries surveyed, an average of 72% say that their country is responding well, ranging from 92% in Vietnam to
42% in Iran. While the majority of people are satisfied, Europe and the United States lag slightly behind the rest (63%).
Majority of people around the world are satisfied with their government's response to COVID
% say that their country is responding well to the COVID 19 crisis
How well do you think your country is responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis?
Very well / Somewhat well / Somewhat poorly / Very poorly / Don’t know
Responding Well
*Well includes “Very well” and “Somewhat well”
0% 1 00%
key findings
Global
Three years since the start of the pandemic, people around the world are growing 72%
more and more satisfied with their government’s handling of the COVID crisis. This
represents a remarkable increase in public satisfaction from the lowest points in Free
2021, particularly in Europe and Latin America where attitudes were least positive in 68%
2021 (under 50%) and have now rebounded up to 63% and 79% respectively.
Less Free
77%
Most satisfied Least satisfied
Europe
Vietnam Austria 63%
92% 52%
Latin America
China Poland 79%
90% 49%
Asia
India Hungary 79%
87% 47%
Singapore Romania USA
86% 45% 63%
Kenya Iran China
85% 42% 90%
Democracy Perception Index 2023 57
TREND 2020-2023
Government Response
In the first year of the pandemic, from the Spring of 2020 to the Spring of 2021, people grew less satisfied with their
government’s response to COVID. Yet over the next two years, satisfaction has rebounded. Today a majority of people in almost
all countries around the world are satisfied with their government’s response to COVID.
How well do you think your country
is responding to the coronavirus
Satisfaction with COVID response has increased globally since 2021
(COVID-19) crisis?
downturn
Very well / Somewhat well / % say that their country is responding well to the COVID 19 crisis
Somewhat poorly / Very poorly /
Don’t know
100%
*Well includes “Very well” and
“Somewhat well”
ASIA
europe
79
Latin america 77
75 74
us 75% 79
70
73
63
60
58
63
53
57
49
50%
45
42
25%
0%
2020 2021 2022 2023
Democracy Perception Index 2023 58
COVID Restrictions
Despite increasing satisfaction with how governments are handling COVID, the majority of people around the world are still
worried that their government has done too much to limit basic freedoms. While this concern is higher in less democratic countries
(60%), it is still as high as 53% in “free” democracies.
Majority of people still say their country has limited freedoms too much during COVID
% agree that their government has gone too far in limiting people's freedoms during COVID
disagree agree Net
India
67
Perception of violated freedoms
Pakistan
61
is most prevalent in less
Argentina
62
democratic countries
Philippines
62
Peru
62
Net
Kenya
50
Global 21 56 35
Malaysia
57
Nigeria
52
South Africa
50
Free 24 53 29
Greece
53
Hong Kong
56
Less Free 18 60 42
Saudi Arabia
53
Morocco
55
Europe 25 53 27
Egypt
51
Chile
45
Asia 20 56 36
Austria
41
Venezuela
44
Latin America 16 63 46
Turkey
41
Romania
45
Colombia
46
China 46 30 -16
Algeria
47
USA 25 52 27
Mexico
41
Ukraine
42
Poland
36
Thailand
41
France
36
Israel
35
Netherlands
37
Singapore
35
Switzerland
33
Germany
29
Spain
24
South Korea
30
Brazil
24
Indonesia
31
United States
27
Portugal
24
Norway
23
Ireland
21
Vietnam
16
Russia
20
Denmark
22
Belgium
22
Hungary
12
United Kingdom
16
Canada
11
Australia
12
Iran
27
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:
Italy
13
“My government has done too much to limit people’s
Taiwan
11
freedoms during the coronavirus crisis”
Japan
14
Strongly agree / Somewhat agree / Neither agree nor disagree /
Sweden
-8
Somewhat disagree / Strongly disagree
China -16 *Agree includes “Strongly agree” and “Somewhat agree”
100% 50% 0% 50% 100%
Democracy Perception Index 2023 59
Methodology
Overview
This report presents an overview of a study conducted by Latana and the Alliance of Democracies in the spring of 2023, between
February 7th and March 27th. The sample of n=53,970 online-connected respondents was drawn across 53 countries, with an
average sample size of around 1,000 respondents per country. Nationally representative results were calculated based on the
official distribution of age, gender, and education for each country’s population, sourced from the most recent and available data
from Barro Lee & UNStat, and census.gov. The average margin of error across all countries sampled is (+/-) 3.1 percentage points.
How the DPI Categorizes Democracies
In order to compare public opinion results between more democratic countries and less democratic countries, the DPI uses the
2023 categories from Freedom House to create two groups:
"Free" - the most democratic countries, labeled as "Free" by Freedom House.
"Less Free" - countries labeled as "Partly Free" or "Not Free" by Freedom House.
Free Speech
In some countries surveyed, the government plays an active role in shaping public opinion and/or has policies in place that restrict
freedom of speech around certain topics. This can have a strong influence on the survey results.
Summary Tables
Here are the full summary tables of the results used in this report: (DPI 2023 - Topline Results)
Data Collection
Latana’s surveys are conducted online through internet-connected devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. Latana
follows an open recruitment approach that leverages the reach of over 40,000 third-party apps and mobile websites. To ensure
coverage across different demographic groups and geographical regions, Latana targets a highly diverse set of apps and websites
– from news to shopping, to sports and games. As a result, Latana generates up to 21 million answers every month from
respondents living in as many as 100 different countries.
Data Privacy and Anonymity
Once a user opts in to complete a survey, Latana informs the respondent about the nature of the questionnaire and explains that
all answers – including the generic demographics that are part of the targeting and quality assurance process – are recorded
anonymously. To ensure respondent privacy and high-quality response data, Latana does not collect any personally identifiable
information (PII) on users. In contrast to surveys conducted face-to-face or by telephone, the anonymity offered by Latana’s
methodology may help reduce response bias, interviewer bias, and respondent self-censorship.
For more information, please contact:
Frederick DeVeaux
Senior Researcher at Latana
Democracy Perception Index 2023 60
About latana
Latana
Our vision is to lead the development of a new
generation of research technologies that enable us to
better understand the needs, desires and preferences
of people around the world.
Latana is an AI-Powered brand tracking solution that leverages key insights to help companies track their brand and
campaign performance. An international market leader in brand tracking services, Latana also uses its technology to
understand the underlying forces behind the opinions of people worldwide.
We are proud to pioneer advanced machine learning technology that has access to billions of consumers around the globe.
This enables us to quickly understand consumer perception, and thus predict consumer behavior - the cornerstone of brand value.
Contact Us
For General Inquiries: [email protected]
For Sales: [email protected]
For PR/Partnerships: [email protected]
latana.com
Democracy Perception Index 2023 61
About The Alliance of Democracies
The Alliance of Democracies
Foundation
Alliance of Democracies' vision is to become the
world’s leading “megaphone” for the cause of
democracy.
The Alliance of Democracies Foundation
The Alliance of Democracies Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2017 by Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The
Foundation is dedicated to the advancement of democracy and free markets across the globe and runs three core programs:
the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, the Expeditionary Economics Program, and the Campaign for Democracy.
The Copenhagen Democracy Summit
The Copenhagen Democracy Summit is an annual conference bringing together political and business leaders, including current
and former heads of government, from the world’s democracies. The goal of the Summit is to be the top international forum for
analysis of the security and economic challenges facing the democratic world as well as a forum for analysis of the interplay
between technology and democratic norms.
Alliance of Democracies Copenhagen Democracy Summit
Contact Us
General Inquiries: [email protected]
With a special sponsorship
Press Inquiries: [email protected]
from the University of Denver
www.allianceofdemocracies.org
Democracy Perception Index 2023 62
Questionnaire
Q1
Q7
In your opinion, how important is it for your country to Think about your country today. Do you agree or
be a democracy?
disagree with the following statement: “Political leaders
Slider: 0 - not at all important; 10 - very important
in my country are elected in free and fair elections”?
Strongly agree
Q2
Somewhat agree
Think about your country today.
Neither agree nor disagree
How democratic do you think it is?
Somewhat disagree
Slider: 0 - not at all democratic; 10 - very democratic
Strongly disagree
Q3
Q8
Which of the following statements comes closest to your How important is it for you that everyone in your country
view?
is equal before the law and has the same basic rights?
I think there is not enough democracy in my country
Very important
I think there is the right amount of democracy in my country
Somewhat important
I think there is too much democracy in my country
Somewhat unimportant
Very unimportant
Q4
Don’t know
How important is it for you that everyone in your country
can freely express their opinion on political and social Q9
topics?
Think about your country today. Do you agree or
Very important
disagree with the following statement: “Everyone in my
Somewhat important
country is equal before the law and has the same basic
Somewhat unimportant
rights”
Very unimportant
Strongly agree
Don’t know
Somewhat agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Q5
Somewhat disagree
Think about your country today. Do you agree or Strongly disagree
disagree with the following statement: “Everyone in my
country can freely express their opinion on political and Q10
social topics”?
# Which of the following statements comes closest to
Strongly agree
your view?
Somewhat agree
“My government usually acts in the interest of…”
Neither agree nor disagree
… most people in my country
Somewhat disagree
... a small group of people in my country
Strongly disagree
Q11
Q6
Which of the following areas do you want your
How important is it for you that political leaders in your government to focus on more?
country are elected in free and fair elections?
Select up to three
Very important
Improve education
Somewhat important
Fight climate change
Somewhat unimportant
Promote gender equality
Very unimportant
Promote economic growth
Don’t know
Reduce poverty
Invest in security and defense
Improve health care
Fight corruption
Reduce immigration
Reduce income inequality
Other / none of the above
Democracy Perception Index 2023 63
Questionnaire
# Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Q18
# “Democracy in my country is threatened by …”
“... the influence of global corporations”
Strongly agree
Q12
Somewhat agree
“… economic inequality”
Neither agree nor disagree
Strongly agree
Somewhat disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat disagree
Q19
Strongly disagree
Overall, do you think that social media platforms (i.e.
Facebook, Twitter) have a positive or negative impact
Q13
on democracy in your country?
“… the influence of Big Tech companies (Google,
Very positive
Amazon, Apple, Facebook)”
Somewhat positive
Strongly agree
Somewhat negative
Somewhat agree
Very negative
Neither agree nor disagree
No impact
Somewhat disagree
Don’t know
Strongly disagree
[In the Chinese questionnaire “Facebook, Twitter” are replaced with “Qzone, WeChat”]
[In the Chinese questionnaire company names are replaced with “Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu, Meituan”]
Q20
Q14
In general, do you think there should be more or less
“… limitations on free speech”
regulation on content that people share on social media
Strongly agree
platforms?
Somewhat agree
More regulation
Neither agree nor disagree
Neither more nor less
Somewhat disagree
Less regulation
Strongly disagree
Don’t know
Q15
Q21
“… election interference from foreign powers”
How well do you think your country is responding to the
Strongly agree
coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis?
Somewhat agree
Very well
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat well
Somewhat disagree
Somewhat poorly
Strongly disagree
Very poorly
Don’t know
Q16
“… unfair elections and/or election fraud”
Q22
Strongly agree
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:
Somewhat agree
“My government has done too much to limit people’s
Neither agree nor disagree
freedoms during the coronavirus crisis”
Somewhat disagree
Strongly agree
Strongly disagree
Somewhat agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Q17
Somewhat disagree
“... corruption”
Strongly disagree
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree
Democracy Perception Index 2023 64
Questionnaire
Q23
Q28
What is your overall perception of the United States?
Overall, do you think the United States has a positive or
Very positive
negative impact on democracy around the world?
Somewhat positive
Very positive
Neither positive nor negative
Somewhat positive
Somewhat negative
Somewhat negative
Very negative
Very negative
Don’t know
No impact
Don’t know
Q24
What is your overall perception of Russia?
Q29
Very positive
In your opinion, which of the following do you think are
Somewhat positive
the world’s top three biggest challenges right now?
Neither positive nor negative
Select up to three
Somewhat negative
Climate change
Very negative
War and violent conflict
Don’t know
Poverty and hunger
Economic inequality
Q25
Racism and discrimination against minorities
What is your overall perception of China?
Global pandemics (Covid)
Very positive
Terrorism
Somewhat positive
Economic instability
Neither positive nor negative
Authoritarian governments
Somewhat negative
Migration
Very negative
None of the above
Don’t know
Q30
Q26
Do you think the US, EU, and NATO have done too little,
What is your overall perception of the European Union?
too much or the right amount to assist Ukraine during
Very positive
the Russian invasion?
Somewhat positive
Too much
Neither positive nor negative
The right amount
Somewhat negative
Too little
Very negative
[Question excluded in Russian questionnaire]
Don’t know
Q31
Q27
Do you think your country should cut economic ties with
What is your overall perception of the United Nations?
Russia because of the war in Ukraine?
Very positive
Yes
Somewhat positive
No
Neither positive nor negative
Don’t know
Somewhat negative
[Question excluded in Russian questionnaire]
Very negative
Don’t know
Q32
If China started a military invasion of Taiwan, do you
think your country should cut economic ties with China?
Yes
No
Don’t know
[Question excluded in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong]
Democracy Perception Index 2023 65
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