How much Indians believe in democracy? Shocking revelations in Pew Research Center report

Democracy in India: Questions are often raised about the situation of democracy in the world, somewhere people are satisfied, somewhere very angry, but a new international report has made India an example in the matter of democratic satisfaction. In developed countries, while the depth about democracy is becoming a matter of concern, people in India are looking very satisfied with the functioning of their democracy.

India became a global example of democratic satisfaction
According to a report by the Pew Research Center released this week, India has joined the top countries in the matter of public democratic satisfaction. According to the report, in a survey conducted in 23 countries in 2025, 74 percent of Indians said that they are satisfied with the democracy of their country. This figure makes India stand in the list of countries with the most democratic satisfaction in the world. Sweden leads this list with 75 percent.

In contrast, the lowest satisfaction was found in Japan, where only 24 percent people are happy with their democracy. This contradiction is an important sign of understanding the acceptance and situation of democracy in different parts of the world.

Increased dissatisfaction over democracy and economy in developed countries
The report states that people in high-income countries like France, Greece, Italy, Japan and South Korea have deep resentment about democracy as well as economy. In countries like India, where economic development and stability strengthens the trust of the people, due to economic imbalance and policy disagreement in developed countries, people’s trust in democracy seems to be decreasing.

On average, 58 percent of adults in 23 countries involved in the entire survey expressed dissatisfaction with their democratic system. In 2017, this number was 49 percent, that is, the level of satisfaction has fallen over time, especially since Kovid-19.

Dissatisfaction in Greece, Japan and South Korea peak
The most dissatisfaction with democracy was recorded in Greece, where 81 percent of the people expressed resentment. In Japan, the figure was 76 percent and 71 percent in South Korea. In these countries, disappointment about democracy is not only related to policies, but also with lack of representation. People believe that their voice is neither heard in the government, nor does they feel partners in power.

Dissatisfaction does not mean disillusionment with democracy
The report makes it clear that this dissatisfaction is not a hatred of democracy, but is concerned about its functioning. Even today, majority of the world believe that representative democracy is a better governance system. But many people are unhappy about the fact that political leaders ignore the things of the general public and have been reduced to power among the elite.

Satisfaction is related to elections and economy in democracy
It has also been told in the report that in countries where elections have been held recently, satisfaction has increased from democracy. For example, in countries like Canada, America, South Africa, Britain and Germany, trust in democracy has increased. At the same time, in countries like Poland and South Korea, trust in democracy has decreased after elections.

54 percent of people in Poland and 74 percent in South Korea have expressed dissatisfaction with democracy. This shows that the government’s trust in the government’s accountability and the election process directly affects their satisfaction towards democracy.