Data: Freedom House; Note: 1 indicates not free; 36 to 70 partially free; 70 and above free. Map: Madison Dong/Axios Visuals
Democracy declined around the world for the 17th consecutive year, but the pace of that decline has slowed and we could be approaching a "turning point," according to an annual report from Freedom House.
Why it matters: The rise of authoritarianism and the erosion of democracy have been among the most notable global trends of the past decade. The "Freedom in the World" report suggests those trends continued in 2022, but it also finds cause for optimism.