A Year of Elections That Shaped the World
How Record Turnouts, Young Voices, and Historic Firsts Redefined Democracy
This year was one of the busiest elections in history, with 73 national elections taking place across the globe, giving nearly 3 billion people the chance to vote.
From the largest democracy in India to smaller but impactful contests in places like Botswana and Mongolia, millions made their voices heard. But what do the numbers tell us about how these elections reshaped democracy?
Let’s break it down.
Who Showed Up?
Voter turnout was 61% on average, showing that while many people are making their voices heard, there’s still room to engage more.
In countries with compulsory voting, like Australia, turnout often tops 90%, highlighting how policy influences participation. Overall, 1.6 billion ballots were cast this year, reflecting both the power and responsibility of democracy.
Spotlight on the 10 Biggest Elections
Bangladesh
Marked by opposition boycotts and widespread student-led protests, the election highlighted deep political divides and student-led movements that forced a reevaluation of governance.
France
Amid high economic dissatisfaction (over 70% of citizens felt the economy was in bad shape), the French elections spotlighted ongoing struggles with inflation and social unrest.
India
With over 1.4 billion eligible voters, India held the largest election in the world, attracting the world’s biggest base of young people while addressing critical issues like economic inequality and unemployment.
Indonesia
With 277 million eligible voters, Indonesia’s elections showcased the challenges of balancing democratic governance with addressing critical issues like deforestation and economic inequality.
Japan
With 71% of citizens expressing frustration over economic challenges, the elections reflected growing dissatisfaction with political stagnation and calls for reform.
Mexico
The election of Claudia Sheinbaum as President marked a milestone for gender representation, with Sheinbaum becoming one of only seven female heads of state elected this year.
Senegal
Africa saw generational change with Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the youngest-ever President on the continent at 44, reflecting a growing youth movement in leadership.
South Africa
Economic and social challenges dominated the narrative as voters demanded accountability and progress, with high dissatisfaction (over 70%) in the country’s economic outlook.
United Kingdom
Women’s representation hit 40% in Parliament, showcasing progress in gender equality despite a broader decline in women’s political participation globally.
United States
Nearly 143 million Americans voted in a peaceful election that saw Donald Trump return to power, making him the oldest President elected at 78, while economic concerns dominated voter priorities.
Women Breaking Barriers
Progress for women in politics continues to be uneven. On average, women now hold 25.5% of seats in legislatures in countries that held elections this year – a slight decline from previous years.
However, countries like Mongolia, where electoral reforms introduced gender quotas, saw record gains, with women’s representation jumping by seven percentage points.
Meanwhile, nations without quotas, such as the UK and Finland, still saw women making up at least 40% of lawmakers, proving there’s no single path to progress.
Generational Change in Leadership
Leaders are getting younger, especially in Africa. Senegal made history by electing Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the youngest-ever President on the continent at just 44 years old.
Around the world, 26% of countries elected leaders younger than their predecessors, but the global average age of leaders still hovers above 60 – far older than the average voter.
Shifts in Power
This year brought significant political change.
In 32% of elections, the ruling party was voted out, marking a big shake-up in leadership. Botswana’s election was a standout, ending nearly six decades of one-party rule as the opposition party took control in a peaceful transition of power.
Challenges to Democracy
Not every election told a story of success. 13% of elections were boycotted by opposition parties, and 15% saw losing candidates reject the results. Protests followed 28% of elections, and 20% of these turned violent.
In countries like Bangladesh and Mozambique, election disputes continue to fuel unrest, showing that democracy still faces significant challenges.
What next?
2024 showed that while democracy is alive and well, it’s far from perfect.
From record-breaking voter participation to heated disputes, this year highlighted the power of young people stepping up to make their voices heard, both nationally and globally.
Elections are about more than casting ballots – they’re about accountability, representation, and ensuring everyone, especially younger generations, has a seat at the table. Young voters remind us that the fight for a better future depends on intergenerational dialogue and action, where experience meets fresh ideas to tackle today’s biggest challenges.
Research highlights a strong connection between trust in domestic institutions and trust in global entities like the UN. People who feel disillusioned with their own political systems often extend that skepticism to broader international organizations. Restoring confidence in domestic governance, therefore, isn’t just a national imperative – it’s a global one. Governments that fail to meet voters’ demands for transparency, equity, and reform risk further eroding both local and international faith in democracy.
As the world prepares for future elections, the real challenge is clear: building a democracy that not only hears young people but empowers them to shape the future they’ll inherit.
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