Democracy is in decline globally. Business has a considerable — and rational — stake in stopping rising authoritarianism. Topics Subscribe Share Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR | Getty Images Democracy is in decline across the world. More countries are experiencing erosion of political rights and civil liberties than gains, according to Freedom House. As of 2025, 92 countries, representing 74% of the world’s population, were classified as autocracies by the V-Dem Institute.