Most countries that make great economic and social progress are not democracies

I strongly believe that liberal democracy is the best way to run a country. People like me, who believe this, are often tempted to argue that democracy leads to, or is even a requirement for, other good things, like peace, social progress, health improvements, and economic growth. But here's the thing, and it is hard to accept: the evidence does not support this stance.

Most countries that make great economic and social progress are not democracies ...Of the ten countries with the fastest economic growth in the years 2012-2016, nine of them score low on democracy.

H. Rosling, Factfulness (2018), 201