The Global State of Democracy Report 2026: Democracy in an Age of Conflict

Join for the live launch of International IDEA’s 2026 edition of the flagship Global State of Democracy Report: ‘Democracy in an Age of Conflict’ on 15 September 2026, 16:30-18:00 CEST. 

Now in its eighth edition, the Global State of Democracy Report continues to deliver high-level, evidence-based analysis on democratic performance worldwide, offering a trusted resource for understanding global democratic trends. This year’s report examines two urgent and interconnected themes. 

The first section reviews shifts in democratic quality across regions, including an in-depth case study on the implications of declining democratic standards in the United States and how these developments reverberate across the international rule-of-law landscape. The second section presents a thematic analysis of the democracy-security nexus. Drawing on data from the GSoD Indices and the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, the report illustrates how varying levels of democracy shape the likelihood of conflict, both within countries and across borders. 

The findings shed light on how democratic decline can heighten insecurity, and how strong democratic institutions can serve as a buffer against violence. The launch event will offer an exclusive first look at the report's findings, followed by a panel discussion with leading experts on the relationship between democracy, conflict and security. 

Participants will also have the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers during a live Q&A session.