Key indicators of democracy in the United States have fallen to their lowest point in five decades, according to the annual Global State of Democracy report published in 2026 by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). The Stockholm-based organization specifically highlights that the rule of law has been significantly undermined by the actions and threats originating from the Donald Trump administration.
International IDEA, which has tracked democratic performance across 174 countries since 1975, noted that the deterioration in the US has been particularly pronounced. The country was added to the institute's list of "backsliding" democracies in 2021, a decline observed since 2019.
Trump Administration's Impact on Rule of Law
The report details how political developments in the United States in 2025 exemplified and compounded challenges to democracy. It states that former President Trump rapidly consolidated power within the executive branch, allegedly using it to pursue personal objectives and retaliate against perceived adversaries. These actions, according to the report, had far-reaching consequences, eroding the rule of law both domestically and internationally, while also straining long-standing alliances and multilateral cooperation efforts.
Globally, the report paints a concerning picture. Judicial independence, credible elections, freedom of expression, press freedom, and access to justice were all recorded at their lowest levels in at least 30 years. The year 2025 marked the eleventh consecutive year where more countries experienced democratic decline than improvement, representing the longest continuous downturn since International IDEA began its records.
Global Decline and Rising Conflict
The rule of law emerged as the weakest area of democracy worldwide in 2025, with 71 countries (41% of those assessed) classified as low-performing. This critical area also saw rapid deterioration, with 29 nations registering downturns.
Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary General of International IDEA, warned that this widespread democratic deterioration is intrinsically linked to a rise in global conflict. The Uppsala Conflict Data Program recorded the highest number of violent conflicts in 2025, including the most interstate conflicts since 1946.
Casas-Zamora also noted that developments in the US are influencing other countries, contributing to a growing trend of election denialism. Despite these grave findings, he emphasized that democratic decline is not inevitable or permanent and can be reversed through concerted efforts. While the report primarily focused on global challenges, it also acknowledged positive developments in countries such as Australia, Syria, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.