Transformation Index | BTI

🗓 Today is World Population Day! 🌍 👇 Here are some facts about population regarding the #BTI2024: 📏 The BTI country with the largest population is India (1.4 bn) 📈 The BTI countries with the highest population growth rate are Niger and Syria (both 3.7% p.a.) 👥 The 137 BTI countries analyzed comprise a total population of approximately 7 billion people, representing about 86% of the world's population. 📢 The theme of the World Population Day 2024 is "To Leave No One Behind, Count Everyone". “Today’s World Population Day emphasizes not only how important comprehensive data are for evidence-based policy-making. It also reminds us that inclusive, participatory and accountable governance is key to meeting demographic challenges,” states our Senior Expert Sabine Donner. Bertelsmann Stiftung #WorldPopulationDay #goodgovernance 

🌍 The Global Erosion of Democracy: An Interview on the BTI 2024 Findings 📊   💬 About two months ago, our Senior Expert Hauke Hartmann discussed the #BTI2024 findings and the rise of authoritarianism with Ulrich Timm for Tagesschau24.   Here are 3 key points from the Interview: 🔎 Wave of Autocratization: Over the past four years, there has been a notable shift towards autocratic regimes. Out of 137 countries surveyed, only 63 remain democracies, while 74 are classified as autocracies. 📉 Deterioration of Political Rights: This trend is marked by sharp declines of the quality of elections, association and assembly rights, the freedom of expression, and the separation of powers. 🛡 Reversing the Trend: There is reason for hope. The examples of Brazil and Poland, where voters have rebuffed authoritarian trends, show the potential for reversing democratic erosion. The BTI 2024 findings also highlight the pivotal role of civil society and mobilization in the defense of democracy.   👉 The full interview is available here (in German): https://lnkd.in/eaMhsz3G   Bertelsmann Stiftung #Democracy #Transformation

For our third post on #Hungary this week, we zoom-in on the 7 Priorities Hungary has set for its European Council Presidency in relation to national context as argued in the #BTI2024. 🥋 New European Competitiveness Deal 🛡 The Reinforcement of European Defence Policy 🤝 A Consistent and Merit-based Enlargement Policy 🌍 Stemming Illegal Migration 🤗 Shaping the Future of Cohesion Policy 👨🌾 A Farmer-centred EU Agricultural Policy 👵 Addressing Demographic Challenges *The qualitative data in the #BTI2024 refer to findings taking place before January 2023.* Bertelsmann Stiftung #EastCentralandSouthEastEurope #EUCouncil #Transformation #ZoomIn

🔎 Zoom-In: Hungary II - Hungary as a defective democracy under Orbán’s populist-autocratic regime 📝 The years since Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party assumed power have been marked by a continuous democratic devolution and the establishment of an illiberal regime. This is marked by the elimination of institutional checks and balances, domination of the media landscape and the public discourse, the prevalence of informal power networks, and centralized political corruption. The impacts of this government have been identified in the #BTI2024 as not conducive to democracy and include: 📉 The Erosion of Democratic Principles: Since the 2010 rise to power of Orbán's government, there has been a noticeable authoritarian shift and erosion of Hungary’s democratic principles. Authoritarian structures have infiltrated various sectors of the state and society, including state institutions, the media system, the judiciary, and the culture and science sectors, while the Parliament’s role has gradually diminished over time. 🔒 The concentration of Political power in the hands of Prime Minister Orbán: The legislation, including the electoral law and the media law, has been tailored to consolidate the retention of power. With its two-thirds Fidesz majority, parliament largely fails to exercise serious control over government policy while the opposition is unable to wield sufficient influence. 🌡 The influence of political parties and international tensions: The ruling party has co-opted state institutions for partisan objectives, solidifying its hold on power. Consequently, Hungary’s national discourse has been tainted by illiberal, xenophobic, and nationalist narratives. The political leadership has forged closer ties with authoritarian countries and leaders, such as Russia and China, to the detriment of international institutions like the European Union and NATO. 👩⚖️ The compromised independence of the judiciary through political influence, with party affiliation superseding performance orientation. ⚠ This leads to the weakening of state institutions, the loss of credibility and legitimacy of democratic institutions, and the curtailment of civil rights and freedoms, such as freedom of expression and assembly and the rights of LGBTQIA+ people. 💡 We have visualised these developments according to BTI indicator data from 2010 to 2024. If you would like to gain more insights on the state of democracy and the situation in Hungary in general, we recommend the BTI Country Report 2024 on Hungary (➡ https://lnkd.in/eiy4S8bt). Bertelsmann Stiftung #Hungary #EUCouncil #Democracy #EastCentralandSoutheastEurope

#MakeEuropeGreatAgain 📣 Under this motto, #Hungary assumes the European Council presidency today. ❔ But what can the EU expect from this six-month period? This week, we will zoom-in on Hungary and its political and economic transformation, as well as its governance structures in relation to the #BTI2024. In light of the recent opening of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, the EU and the Belgian presidency appeared eager to get things done before Budapest takes its referee position amongst EU countries. Not surprising, as the Fidesz government with Viktor #Orbán at its helm are constructing a narrative around the EU as the ‘'public enemy'' in efforts that are not ideologically driven, but nationalist and pragmatic. ℹ For qualitative data on how the deeply rooted influence of the Fidesz party has transformed democracy in Hungary, we offer a look into the #BTI2024 country report. https://lnkd.in/e-UVReUm Bertelsmann Stiftung #MEGA #Hungary #EUCouncil #EastCentralandSoutheastEurope

🗳 With the Iranian presidential elections taking place tomorrow, 28th June, #Iran's 61 million eligible voters are choosing a successor to former president Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on 19th May. 👁️🗨️ After only a few selective candidates survived the screening by the Guardian Council headed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, it is unclear if the government can tackle the continuous political crisis it faces. 📊 The #BTI2024 country report on Iran describes how internal mismanagement in #governance and the failure to address the basic economic needs of a growing part of society is creating an irreversible gap between the regime and society. ⬇ https://lnkd.in/eAsgQWCF ⏲ For a short-read on the background of the crisis, check out our #Blog article on why the revolutionary process in #Iran is likely to persist. https://lnkd.in/eJ6gmqWE Bertelsmann Stiftung #iran #elections #MiddleEastandNorthAfrica

Rewarding exchange at International IDEA in Sweden! 📊 Two weeks ago, our senior experts Sabine Donner and Hauke Hartmann had the opportunity to present and discuss the results of the #BTI2024 in Stockholm. 💡IDEA's Global State of Democracy Indices (GSoD Indices) incorporate qualitative insights and data from the #BTI. Together, we discussed how we can improve the presentation of our findings and how we can share them with a broader audience. 🤝 We are also grateful for the valuable exchange with Elisenda Balleste Buxo and Elina Ankler from the Global Democracy Coalition and look forward to further inspiring discussions. Our special thanks go to Matthias Jaeger and Seema Shah for their invaluable support and for inviting us. Bertelsmann Stiftung #BTI2024 #Democracy #Sweden

👂 How exciting to listen in on the #ZeitenwendeOnTour conversation about young people's perceptions of security policy and structural change yesterday at the Bertelsmann Stiftung. 🗣 During a well-curated panel discussion, young students from Gütersloh had the chance to ask burning questions and discuss security policy with Christoph Heusgen, Chair of the Munich Security Conference, Nathanael Liminski, Minister for Federal and European Affairs in NRW, and Maiia Stetsiuk, Officer Military Border Protection Ukraine. 💡 It quickly became clear that many young people also think globally when it comes to #democracy and #participation. The Sahel region and the Indo-Pacific region were both additional points of interest. 🔍 Have a look at the #BTI2024 website to dive into the qualitative data on democratic participation, social market economy, and governance in 137 countries. ⬇ https://lnkd.in/euAp7zqV A special thanks to Simon P. Balzert and the Liz Mohn Stiftung for inviting the #BTITeam

🎤 The BTI in Dialogue with the Youth Democrat Cohort of the WYDE Network Two weeks ago, a group of young decision-makers participated in a discussion at the Bertelsmann Stiftung in Gütersloh as part of a visit organized by the Liz Mohn Stiftung and the Club de Madrid. The young democrats from Guatemala, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, the Philippines and Uruguay hold positions of responsibility in their respective countries. The BTI-Team had the pleasure of introducing the #BTI2024 and initiating a discussion about the transformation of democracy. While the focus was on the positioning of BTI in the participants' respective countries, the potential approaches and methods for involving young people were explored. 💡 What have we learnt? Youth parliaments are a globally widespread tool for young people's political participation and help to facilitate dialogue. 🤝 Hope to welcome you soon again at Bertelsmann Stiftung Yvonne Wamucii, Augusta Nneka, Pablo Callizo, Jo Valdez, Victoria Pasquet Martínez, Elena Motta and Sabir Ali. #BTI2024 #WYDEYouth #YouthDemocracyCohort #YDC

🚀 In #Mexico's recent elections, Claudia Sheinbaum won a landslide victory. But how will she grapple with the country's immediate issues? 📊 As the #Morena party continues to dominate the polls, also with #Sheinbaum at its helm, it remains to be seen how it will tackle rising public depth as well as persistent cronyism. ✒ In our latest #Blog, Jennifer Piscopo, Professor for Gender and Politics at the Royal Holloway, University of London analyzes how the new female president faces old politics. Find the article here ⬇ https://lnkd.in/eugZd223 📖 For in-depth information, have a look at the #BTI2024 and read the country report on Mexico and how its policies impact the wider region of #LatinAmericaandtheCaribbean. You can find all information on our website ⬇ https://lnkd.in/eUUTJYRm Bertelsmann Stiftung #Transformation #elections #femalepresident