STUDY: Caribbean among most democratic in developing world

The Caribbean remains one of the most democratic regions in the developing world, but growing threats such as crime, climate change, misinformation and rising public debt are putting pressure on democratic institutions, according to a new report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The findings are contained in the UNDP’s 2026 Regional Human Development Report, launched recently in the Dominican Republic. The report said people in Latin America and the Caribbean continue to show strong support for democratic governance despite growing challenges.

According to the UNDP, organised crime is among the most serious threats facing democracy in the region. The report noted that the Caribbean’s homicide rate stands at 27.9 per 100,000 people, above the regional average, with nearly 60 percent of killings linked to organised crime.

The report also highlighted climate change as a major concern. Extreme weather events in the Caribbean have more than doubled over the last several decades, increasing pressure on governments and economies already vulnerable to hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters.

Another challenge identified is the spread of misinformation, particularly through social media. The UNDP said 76 percent of people in the region believe social media contains a moderate or significant amount of false or misleading information, raising concerns about its impact on public trust and democratic decision-making.

The report further warned that high public debt levels in some Caribbean countries — exceeding 100 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) — are limiting governments’ ability to deliver services and respond effectively to citizens’ needs. This, in turn, can weaken confidence in democratic institutions.

Despite these concerns, the Caribbean was singled out for its relatively strong social cohesion and democratic stability compared to many parts of Latin America, where political polarisation has become increasingly severe.

However, the UNDP said there is a growing gap between support for democracy and satisfaction with how it functions. While 57 percent of Caribbean people still view democracy as the best form of government, only about 32 percent are satisfied with how democracy is working in practice.

The agency said Caribbean governments will need to strengthen security, improve economic resilience, adapt to climate change and deliver better public services if democratic systems are to maintain public confidence in the years ahead.