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News release

Vast majority of Ethiopians support democracy, demand accountable governance

21 May 2024 Ethiopia
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News release
Key findings
  • A vast majority (86%) of Ethiopians prefer democracy to any other kind of governance. Clear majorities also reject non-democratic regimes: one-man rule (88%), one-party rule (62%) and military rule (61%) (Figure 1).
  • More than six in 10 citizens (62%) say it’s more important to have a government that is accountable to its citizens than one that “gets things done” (Figure 2).
  • Close to seven in 10 Ethiopians (69%) want the prime minister to be answerable to Parliament (Figure 3).
  • More than seven in 10 (72%) say elected officials should listen to constituents’ views and do what they demand, rather than follow their own ideas about what is best for the country (Figure 4).
  • A majority (56%) of Ethiopians consider their country either “a democracy with major problems” or “not a democracy at all” (Figure 5).
  • A similar majority (58%) say they are “not very satisfied” or “not at all satisfied” with the way democracy is working in their country.

A large majority of Ethiopians support democracy and reject one-man rule, the most recent Afrobarometer survey shows. Slimmer majorities also oppose one-party rule and military rule.

Most Ethiopians want an accountable government, a prime minister answerable to Parliament, and elected officials who listen to their constituents, according to survey findings.

However, a majority of Ethiopians consider their country either a democracy with major problems or not a democracy at all, and close to six in 10 say they are not satisfied with theway their democracy is working.