Despite a global decline in democracy, Morocco stands out in the Arab world as the leading “hybrid regime,” according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) 2024 Democracy Index. The report, which revealed a drop in the global democracy index from 5.52 in 2006 to a record low of 5.17 in 2024, places Morocco 91st globally out of 167 countries, with a score of 4.97 out of 10.
Morocco’s classification as a “hybrid regime” indicates both progress and persistent challenges in its democratic development. The country has shown steady improvement since 2006, when it scored 3.9, reaching a peak of 5.10 in 2019. However, a slight decline in recent years reflects the ongoing tension between democratic aspirations and political realities.
The Democracy Index evaluates countries on five key criteria: electoral process and pluralism, government performance, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties. Morocco’s scores vary across these categories, with strengths in political culture (5.63) and participation (5.56), but weaknesses in civil liberties (4.12) and government performance (4.29).
In the Arab world, Morocco is followed by Tunisia (93rd globally), Mauritania (108th), Algeria (110th), and Palestine (112th). Only Morocco and Tunisia are classified as “hybrid regimes,” while the rest are predominantly categorized as authoritarian. In the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Morocco ranks second only to Israel (31st globally), which is considered the only “full democracy.”
The report highlights the scarcity of “representative democracy” in the MENA region, noting that even countries with “superficial democratic façades,” such as Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, and Morocco, maintain centralized power structures. This analysis underscores the limitations of political reforms in a region where power remains heavily concentrated.
Globally, the report paints a concerning picture, with 130 countries experiencing a decline or stagnation in their democracy scores. A significant 39.2% of the world’s population now lives under authoritarian rule, with 60 countries classified in this category, representing a notable increase from previous years.
MK/ac/fss/abj/APA