Morocco Leads Arab World in 2024 Democracy Index Despite Challenges
Morocco ranked 91st globally in the 2024 Democracy Index, leading the Arab nations as a hybrid democracy with a score of 4.97. This reflects significant progress from previous years. The report highlighted that 39.2% of the world’s population currently lives under authoritarian systems, amid a decline in global democracy scores.
Morocco has achieved the highest ranking among Arab nations in the 2024 Democracy Index, occupying the 91st position globally out of 167 countries, according to a report released by The Economist. The country’s score of 4.97 out of 10 reflects a two-place improvement from its 2023 standings and indicates notable progress from a score of 3.9 in 2006.
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, Morocco has consistently improved its democracy score over the years, with significant strides made in the electoral process and pluralism, alongside enhancements in political participation. The comprehensive evaluation assigns scores based on five indicators of democratic health, with Morocco achieving particular strengths in political participation and culture.
Within the Arab world, only Morocco and Tunisia are regarded as “hybrid democracies.” In contrast, the other Arab nations are categorized as authoritarian regimes. This classification underscores the limited democratic practices prevalent in the region, with Morocco earning its top position, closely followed by Tunisia, Mauritania, Algeria, and Palestine.
On a regional level, Morocco ranks second in the MENA region, only surpassed by Israel, which holds the 31st global position. At the pinnacle of the global list is Norway, followed by New Zealand, Sweden, and Iceland, while North Korea, Myanmar, and Afghanistan are placed at the bottom.
The report acknowledges that genuine democracy is scarce in the Middle East and North Africa, noting, “Only Israel practices full democracy.” It remarks on the superficial democratic structures that exist in various countries, including Iraq, Lebanon, and Morocco. With only token parliamentary representation in nations such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, political freedom remains limited.
The analysis reveals a troubling trend, with the average democracy index score falling from 5.52 in 2006 to a historic low of 5.17 in 2024. The report further highlights that 39.2% of the world’s population presently lives under authoritarian rule, marking an increase in the number of nations classified as such.
This overarching analysis points to a widespread regression of democratic principles globally and reinforces the need for continued advocacy for democratic reforms, particularly in the MENA region.
The 2024 Democracy Index highlights Morocco’s leading position in the Arab world as a hybrid democracy, reflecting significant improvement over the past years. Despite this progress, the region remains dominated by authoritarian regimes, with overall global democracy suffering notable setbacks. The current report calls attention to the necessity for robust democratic reforms and the mitigation of centralized control in the MENA region.
Original Source: en.yabiladi.com
