Restrictions on free speech, unfair elections and populist hunger for power – it is by no means just autocrats who have been tightening the screw of repression. Governments in democracies have also increasingly been trying to govern with a hard hand. And social division is deeper than it has been for a long time. Our current Transformation Index BTI shows what is behind this development, and which countries have been particularly affected. Please find more information here: http://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/topics/aktuelle-meldungen/2018/maerz/democracy-under-pressure-polarization-and-repression-are-increasing-worldwide/

1. Democracies
Autocracies
17 % 2 %
Equality of opportunity is
largely achieved in ...
15 %
3 %
3 %
Market order and competition
function well in ...
38 %
Anti-corruption policy
functions well in ...
In 72 of 129 countries,
massive poverty and a high
level of social inequality
persist.
In 2006, one in six countries
held entirely free and fair
elections. In 2018, the number
is only one in 14 countries.
Separation of powers
deteriorated in 24 states, but
improved only in 7 states
compared to two years before.
Freedom of expression and
the press is unrestricted in
only ten countries. In 2006,
the number was 17 countries.
Venezuela in shambles:
After two populist decades,
extreme poverty is rampant
again in the very badly
governed petro-state.
Setback in Bangladesh:
Due to the worsened quality of
elections, the formerly fifth
largest democracy is classified
as an autocracy again.
Turkeyout of balance: In no
other country has the subversi-
on of separation of powers
advanced as much in recent
years as in the highly defective
democracy on the Bosporus.
Europe’s troublemakers:
The government of Poland
has increasingly applied
political pressure on indepen-
dent media, following the
Hungarian example.
Total
71
democracies
58
autocracies
Nicaragua Burkina Faso
Lebanon
Bangladesh
Uganda
Mozambique
Sri Lanka
New autocracies New democracies
Quality of democracy in developing and transformation countries
Bertelsmann Transformation Index
www.bti-project.org
© Bertelsmann Stiftung 2018
Democracies offer more transparency and social inclusion to citizens than autocracies
Marginalization and repression are increasing worldwide
Political and socioeconomic deteriorations in selected countries
Since 2006, the Bertelsmann Stiftung's Transformation Index has analyzed and
monitored the quality of democracy, market economy and governance in 129
developing and transformation countries on a regular basis.
BTI 2018
The Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index