Morocco ranks 91st globally in the 2024 Democracy Index published by The Economist, emerging as a leading hybrid democracy in the Arab world. The country’s score of 4.97 marks a two-place increase from 2023, highlighting steady democratic progress. Only Morocco and Tunisia are classified as hybrid democracies in the region, with the rest classified as authoritarian regimes.
In the 2024 Democracy Index, Morocco has attained the leading position in the Arab world, ranking 91st globally among 167 nations, according to a report published by The Economist. The nation scored 4.97 out of 10, reflecting an improvement of two places from its 2023 position. The findings were released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
Morocco has demonstrated consistent advancements in its democracy index over the years. The kingdom’s score increased from 3.9 in 2006 to 5.10 in 2019, although it faced slight declines thereafter. The index assesses the democratic status of countries based on five critical indicators, assigning scores that range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating a more democratic environment.
In the evaluation, Morocco received the following individual scores: 5.25 for electoral process and pluralism, 4.29 for government performance, 5.56 for political participation, 5.60 for political culture, and 4.12 for civil liberties. Among Arab nations, Morocco and Tunisia are the only countries categorized as “hybrid democracies,” while the remainder are classified as authoritarian regimes.
Morocco outperformed its regional counterparts, including Tunisia at 93rd, Mauritania at 108th, Algeria at 110th, and Palestine at 112th. In the broader MENA region, Morocco ranks second, following Israel, which stands at 31st globally. Meanwhile, Norway topped the global rankings, with New Zealand, Sweden, and Iceland following closely behind.
In conclusion, Morocco’s progress in the 2024 Democracy Index highlights its position as a leading hybrid democracy within the Arab world. Despite improvements, significant challenges remain, particularly in maintaining genuine democratic practices and civil liberties. The broader MENA region shows minimal democratic progress, with many countries still categorized under authoritarian regimes, indicating an urgent need for reforms.
Original Source: en.yabiladi.com
