Sri Lanka has made a significant leap in the 2025 Global Democracy Index, rising 15 places compared to last year.
According to the latest report by the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), the improvement reflects progress under the country’s new governance, with notable gains in several democratic indicators, particularly freedom of expression and press freedom.
However, the report also points out ongoing challenges. Rights related to freedom of assembly continue to decline, limiting the overall democratic space.
Globally, democracy has shown a troubling trend. The report reveals that 94 countries—more than half of those assessed—recorded a decline in at least one key democratic indicator between 2019 and 2024. By contrast, only one in three countries demonstrated progress.
“The current state of democracy in the world is worrying,” said IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora.
