India's Democratic Pulse: Why 74% of Indians Are Satisfied with Their Democracy

New Delhi: In a world grappling with democratic disquiet, India emerges as a beacon of satisfaction, with a striking 74% of its citizens expressing contentment with the state of their democracy. This impressive figure, revealed in a recent Pew Research Center report, places India as the second-highest among 23 nations surveyed, a testament to its vibrant democratic spirit. In stark contrast, Japan registered the lowest satisfaction levels at a mere 24%, highlighting a significant global divergence in public sentiment.

The comprehensive survey, conducted in the spring of 2025, painted a diverse picture of democratic satisfaction worldwide. While India celebrated high approval, nations like Greece (81%), Japan (76%), and South Korea (71%) reported the highest levels of dissatisfaction, underscoring widespread frustrations in some of the world's most developed economies. Beyond India, where only 23% voiced dissatisfaction, Sweden also showcased robust approval with a low dissatisfaction rate of 25%, followed by Indonesia at 33%.

However, a closer look at 12 consistently surveyed high-income countries since 2017 reveals a persistent trend: public dissatisfaction with democracy continues to outweigh satisfaction. Across these nations, including Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the US, a median of 64% of adults expressed discontent with their democratic systems, while only 35% reported satisfaction.

Globally, the picture isn't much brighter. Across all 23 countries surveyed, a median of 58% of adults were dissatisfied with the functionality of their democracies. Pew's findings indicate a concerning decline in overall satisfaction with democratic functioning over the past eight years. In 2017, satisfaction and dissatisfaction stood at an even 49%. While a brief resurgence occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, satisfaction has steadily declined since.

This decline, however, doesn't necessarily signal a rejection of democratic ideals. As the Pew report clarifies, "This doesn’t necessarily mean people are turning away from democratic values. Our research has shown that people around the globe think representative democracy is a good system of government. At the same time, many are frustrated with political elites or feel their views are not truly represented in government." This suggests a nuanced discontent, more focused on the execution and representation within democratic systems rather than a fundamental rejection of the system itself.

A critical factor influencing democratic satisfaction appears to be economic perception. Countries like India, Indonesia, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Sweden, which reported satisfaction with their democracies, also showed positive economic sentiments. Conversely, nations such as France, Greece, Italy, Japan, and South Korea expressed discontent on both fronts, highlighting a strong correlation between economic well-being and democratic approval.

Elections, as expected, also play a significant role. Since 2024, satisfaction with democracy has notably increased in five countries: Canada, Germany, South Africa, the UK, and the US. All, with the exception of Canada, experienced general or presidential elections during this period. Canada, which went to the polls after the 2025 survey fieldwork, saw 60% satisfaction, with its Liberal Party securing a fourth consecutive victory.

Meanwhile, Australia, Poland, and South Korea also held national elections after the survey's completion. Interestingly, Poland and South Korea were among the countries where satisfaction with democracy declined between 2024 and 2025, with dissatisfaction standing at 54% and 74% respectively. In Australia, however, where the Labor Party returned to power, six out of ten adults surveyed reported satisfaction, further underscoring the dynamic interplay between electoral outcomes and public trust in democratic institutions.