Turkey’s position in the realm of democracy is under scrutiny, as highlighted in the latest Global State of Democracy report. The nation has landed at 149th place among 173 countries in terms of rule of law, highlighting significant concerns about democratic practices and governance.
Turkey’s Low Ranking in Rule of Law
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) has published the Global State of Democracy 2026 report, which evaluates the rule of law across various countries. Turkey received a score of 0.229 on a scale where one represents optimal performance, tying for 149th place with Cameroon. The report also indicates that Turkey’s ranking might fluctuate between 145th and 155th due to statistical ambiguities, underlining the severity of its situation.
Performance Metrics and Comparisons
In its analysis, the report positions Turkey alongside Azerbaijan and Russia as poor performers across crucial rule-of-law metrics, namely absence of corruption, judicial independence, personal integrity, and security, along with predictable law enforcement practices. Additionally, Turkey’s performance was disappointing in two other key democratic categories. It ranked 135th in rights with a score of 0.317 and 137th in participation, scoring 0.398. The report lists representation as Turkey’s strongest suit, where it holds the 103rd position with a score of 0.435, yet this still emphasizes the overall lack of democratic health in the nation.
The Broader Landscape of Democratic Performance
Notably, International IDEA does not aggregate scores across categories into a singular democracy ranking; each category—representation, rights, rule of law, and participation—is evaluated independently. The findings draw from data extending through the end of 2025 and highlight that Turkey is among a concerning trend of global democratic backsliding. According to the report, 41% of the countries assessed are classified as low performers in terms of rule of law, with a substantial number demonstrating declines over the past five years.
The data indicates that setbacks in democracy are outpacing improvements on a global scale. In 2025, 57% of the countries analyzed saw a deterioration in at least one aspect of democratic performance compared to 2020, while only 32% made progress. The decline in freedoms, such as freedom of expression and press freedom, is particularly alarming, with deteriorations noted in 42 and 23 percent of countries, respectively.
Democracy and Conflict: A Complex Relationship
The report also sheds light on the intricate relationship between democratic performance and armed conflict. It suggests that those nations exhibiting democratic processes but lacking genuine political competition or enforceable rights are often embroiled in conflicts more frequently than fully autocratic states or established democracies. While it does not offer specific predictions for Turkey, the implications are clear: the interplay between declining democratic practices and rising tensions could foster unrest.
In the global context, 2025 marked a troubling year with 65 recorded violent conflicts, the highest level since the Uppsala Conflict Data Program began its tracking in 1946. This data underscores the urgency for nations—including Turkey—to address their democratic shortcomings and avoid the consequences that accompany such declining trends.
International IDEA, headquartered in Stockholm, serves as a key player in fostering dialogue around democratic institutions and processes, and its findings serve as a wake-up call for nations struggling with governance and rule of law. The situation in Turkey, illustrated by this report, calls for focused efforts towards restoring democratic integrity.