74% Indians ‘Satisfied’ With Democracy, 2nd-Highest Among 23 Countries In Pew Survey

Last Updated:July 05, 2025, 17:38 IST

In stark contrast, Japan reported the lowest satisfaction levels, with only 24 per cent of its population approving of their democratic system

While India showed high satisfaction with both its democracy and economy, countries such as France, Greece, Italy, Japan, and South Korea exhibited discontent in both areas. (Representational pic/Getty)

A report from the Pew Research Center released this week has India emerging as a leader in public approval, while several developed countries display significant discontent. Conducted in the spring of 2025 across 23 countries, the study revealed that an impressive 74 per cent of Indians surveyed were satisfied with how their democracy functions, positioning India among the highest globally in democratic approval. In stark contrast, Japan reported the lowest satisfaction levels, with only 24 per cent of its population approving of their democratic system.

The report explores the roots of this dissatisfaction, especially in high-income nations. While India showed high satisfaction with both its democracy and economy, countries such as France, Greece, Italy, Japan, and South Korea exhibited discontent in both areas. Overall, across the 23 countries surveyed, a median of 58 per cent of adults expressed dissatisfaction with their democracies, indicating a widespread global sentiment of frustration, particularly when compared to a median of 49 per cent satisfaction in 2017. This decline in satisfaction has been consistent since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among the nations with the highest levels of democratic dissatisfaction, Greece led with 81 per cent of its surveyed population reporting unhappiness. Japan followed closely with 76 per cent dissatisfaction, and South Korea registered 71 per cent.

The Pew Research Center stressed that this dissatisfaction does not necessarily reflect a rejection of democratic values. Their research suggests that people worldwide still consider representative democracy a good system of government. However, many are frustrated with political elites and feel their views are not adequately represented in government.

The survey also highlighted the complex connection between satisfaction with democracy and recent electoral processes or economic perceptions. For example, satisfaction with democracy increased in countries like Canada, Germany, South Africa, the UK, and the US following recent general or presidential elections. Conversely, in countries like Poland and South Korea, where elections took place after the survey fieldwork, satisfaction with democracy declined between 2024 and 2025, with dissatisfaction at 54 per cent in Poland and a substantial 74 per cent in South Korea.

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