2025 country profile

How democratic is
Algeria?

Algeria scores 35.1 out of 100 and ranks 131 of 179 in our independent 2025 democracy measure. Its lowest-scoring test is public participation. Explore the evidence and history below.

Democracys.org beta estimate, derived from V-Dem v16. A measure of political institutions and conditions—not a percentage of democracy or a judgment of people.

Printable country brief Compare this country

DEMOCRACYS SCORE

35.1out of 100Far from the standard

2025 rank131 of 179

10-year change−7.0

25-year change−8.7

Source-bound range27.6–41.9

Weakest areaParticipation

The source-bound range is an uncertainty guide, not a confidence interval for this combined score. How to read the range →

SCORE HISTORY

Algeria, 1975–2025

The shaded area is a plain-language uncertainty guide. Treat small score differences cautiously.

About uncertainty

BEYOND THE NUMBERS

What changed on the ground?

A documented development to help interpret the institutions behind the score.

2024 context · Freedom House assessment

Criminal-law changes increased risks for critical speech

Amendments to the penal code used broad language that Freedom House considers capable of further criminalizing dissent. The concern is not only prosecution already completed, but the chilling effect of uncertain legal boundaries. People may stop speaking or organizing when criticism carries a credible threat of punishment.

Read the country report · Freedom in the World 2025

AI-assisted source summary · not independently expert-reviewed

What this context does—and does not—explain

This is a selected development, not a complete political history. Its date may differ from the selected comparison period. It is not evidence that one event caused a particular number of points, and it may describe progress even when this index declines.

The scores use V-Dem. The narrative summarizes a separate assessment by Freedom House, whose definitions and coverage differ. Neither organization endorses this website. The summary is AI-assisted, source-linked, and has not received independent country-expert review. Source checked October 5, 2026.

Why democracy measures can disagree →

UNDERSTAND THE CHANGE

What drove the score?

2015–2025 · the measured story

The score for Algeria fell 7.0 points, from 42.1 to 35.1 between 2015 and 2025. All five areas declined. Rights and checks contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Rights and checks

The evidence points toward weaker civil liberties, equality before the law, or constraints on executive power.

Area score: 38.9 → 30.5
Approx. contribution to overall change: −1.7 points

Another important influence

Public reasoning

The evidence rates public justification, consultation, and engagement with opposing arguments less favorably.

Area score: 57.4 → 47.9
Approx. contribution to overall change: −1.6 points

These contributions explain the calculation—not the causes. The five area scores combine several indicators; they do not identify which individual law, election, or event changed.

When did the biggest shifts appear?

The largest year-to-year movements within this period. These are changes in annual estimates, not precise dates of political events.

2018–2019−1.5 points
The overall score fell from 40.5 to 39.0. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2020–2021−1.5 points
The overall score fell from 40.3 to 38.8. Rights and checks supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2021–2022−1.5 points
The overall score fell from 38.8 to 37.3. Rights and checks supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 42.1 in 2015. Small differences may fall within the source’s uncertainty.

See all five areas and how contributions are calculated

Changes in inputs versus contributions to the overall score
Area	2015	2025	Input change	Approx. contribution
Rights and checks	38.9	30.5	−8.4	−1.7
Public reasoning	57.4	47.9	−9.5	−1.6
Political equality	66.9	56.8	−10.1	−1.6
Elections	33.1	26.5	−6.6	−1.5
Participation	22.2	20.3	−1.9	−0.5

We change the five inputs from their starting to ending values in every possible order, then average each area’s effect on the formula. This distributes the formula’s interactions (a Shapley allocation). It is a mathematical attribution, not a causal estimate.

Inputs and published scores are rounded, so contributions are approximate and may not add exactly to the displayed total. No significance test is implied. Read the full scoring method →

BENEATH THE SCORE

Five dimensions of democracy

The headline score cannot show where a political system is strong or constrained. These five tests can. Each has equal weight in the beta standard.

Free and fair elections

Can people choose their leaders through broad voting rights, honest elections, free political groups, and open public debate?

26.5

Rights and checks on power

Are basic freedoms protected, laws applied fairly, courts independent, and leaders prevented from abusing power?

30.5

Public participation

Can people shape public life through civic groups, direct voting, and meaningful local and regional government?

20.3

Public reasoning

Do leaders explain decisions, consult the public, answer opposing arguments, and consider the common good?

47.9

Political equality

Do different social groups have equal rights, access, resources, and a real chance to influence political power?

56.8

HOW TO READ THIS PROFILE

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.

The score breakdown identifies which parts of the measure changed most. The country report adds documented political context. Together they help explain the institutions at stake—but they do not prove that a specific event produced a specific number of points.

Why this score differs from other democracy indices →

What a declining score can—and cannot—tell us about democratic backsliding

A recent improvement can coexist with a long-term decline. Always compare the dates, check the linked source, and consider developments the selected narrative does not cover.

ANNUAL DATA

Algeria score table

Download Algeria CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	35.1	27.6–41.9	26.5	30.5	20.3	47.9	56.8
2024	36.0	28.8–42.6	26.0	29.9	20.6	44.0	67.6
2023	36.6	29.5–43.6	26.5	29.4	21.2	43.5	71.5
2022	37.3	30.0–43.9	26.9	30.0	21.6	45.6	71.0
2021	38.8	31.4–45.6	28.2	32.9	22.2	47.2	71.9
2020	40.3	32.9–47.4	27.9	37.5	24.1	49.2	70.8
2019	39.0	30.9–45.5	29.3	36.2	20.5	49.5	67.5
2018	40.5	32.8–47.8	30.5	37.3	22.5	54.1	65.5
2017	40.9	33.7–47.8	30.9	36.6	19.8	58.5	68.6
2016	41.0	33.0–47.4	30.8	38.6	21.4	54.8	67.4
2015	42.1	35.0–49.5	33.1	38.9	22.2	57.4	66.9
2014	42.1	34.6–49.0	32.4	38.8	22.9	57.4	66.6
2013	42.1	34.4–48.8	32.7	38.1	23.6	57.0	66.2
2012	43.5	36.6–50.5	32.4	36.9	28.1	60.2	66.1
2011	43.4	36.2–50.2	32.2	36.7	28.3	61.0	64.9
2010	43.4	36.4–50.6	32.2	36.5	29.0	59.7	65.8
2009	43.4	35.9–50.1	32.7	36.0	29.6	59.6	64.9
2008	43.4	36.3–50.4	32.9	36.0	29.9	59.6	64.3
2007	43.7	36.3–50.4	33.4	36.0	30.1	60.0	64.5
2006	43.8	36.7–50.8	33.5	36.0	30.4	60.0	64.4
2005	44.0	37.0–51.1	33.5	36.0	31.3	60.0	64.7
2004	43.6	36.0–50.1	33.3	35.1	31.1	60.0	63.9
2003	43.7	36.1–50.3	33.1	35.1	31.8	60.0	63.9
2002	43.7	36.2–50.3	32.6	35.1	32.1	60.0	63.9
2001	43.7	36.1–50.3	32.6	35.1	32.3	60.0	64.0
2000	43.8	36.2–50.3	32.6	35.1	32.6	60.0	64.0
1999	45.5	38.7–52.8	32.8	35.2	31.0	71.7	64.3
1998	43.6	36.7–50.8	31.2	33.3	24.8	72.4	66.5
1997	43.8	36.9–51.2	31.9	33.3	24.8	72.4	66.5
1996	44.1	37.1–51.6	33.2	33.3	24.8	72.4	66.5
1995	40.2	34.0–47.1	18.6	33.3	24.3	72.4	66.5
1994	38.3	32.2–45.0	17.9	29.7	21.1	72.4	66.0
1993	36.6	30.9–43.2	17.3	22.3	21.4	72.4	67.1
1992	39.3	33.5–45.4	18.8	22.2	24.8	81.7	67.7
1991	45.9	38.8–53.0	35.0	31.3	26.1	80.8	67.9
1990	45.0	37.7–52.7	35.0	33.1	26.1	73.1	67.1
1989	37.3	29.8–44.3	22.2	34.4	16.1	62.8	64.4
1988	30.8	22.6–37.1	20.6	33.6	7.8	43.2	65.9
1987	30.6	22.5–37.0	20.7	32.6	7.8	43.2	65.9
1986	30.2	21.8–36.3	20.5	32.6	7.8	41.0	65.9
1985	30.8	22.6–37.2	20.5	32.6	7.8	44.7	65.9
1984	30.7	22.6–37.2	20.5	32.1	7.8	44.7	65.9
1983	30.8	22.7–37.3	20.6	32.1	7.8	44.7	65.9
1982	30.9	22.8–37.4	20.4	32.1	7.8	44.7	67.2
1981	30.7	22.6–37.1	19.5	32.1	7.8	44.7	67.2
1980	30.6	22.4–36.9	19.5	31.9	7.8	44.7	66.8
1979	29.7	21.6–35.7	19.3	31.2	7.4	41.0	67.4
1978	28.9	20.6–34.9	19.2	30.1	7.4	37.2	67.6
1977	29.3	20.9–35.4	18.7	32.9	7.4	37.2	67.6
1976	24.6	17.6–29.9	8.8	22.3	7.4	37.2	67.6
1975	24.9	18.2–30.2	8.4	22.3	8.7	37.2	67.6
1974	25.0	18.3–30.2	8.4	22.3	8.9	37.2	67.6
1973	25.1	18.5–30.3	8.4	22.3	9.2	37.2	67.6
1972	25.2	18.5–30.4	8.4	22.3	9.4	37.2	67.6
1971	25.3	18.7–30.5	8.4	22.3	9.7	37.2	67.6
1970	25.3	18.6–30.3	8.4	22.3	10.0	37.2	67.2
1969	25.8	19.5–31.0	8.4	22.3	10.2	40.0	67.4
1968	25.7	19.6–30.9	8.4	22.3	9.8	40.0	67.4
1967	25.8	19.7–31.0	8.4	22.3	10.1	40.0	67.4
1966	25.9	19.8–31.0	8.4	22.3	10.3	40.0	67.4
1965	27.9	21.4–33.4	13.1	24.3	10.6	40.0	67.4
1964	29.8	23.2–35.9	18.6	25.8	10.6	41.3	67.4
1963	31.0	24.2–36.8	18.9	25.7	13.9	41.3	67.4
1962	21.7	15.2–26.9	7.6	14.3	10.2	53.6	37.9
1961	14.3	8.2–19.1	7.5	11.8	10.6	27.7	17.5
1960	16.1	9.4–21.2	7.5	11.8	18.1	29.7	17.5
1959	14.1	7.8–19.1	7.5	11.8	18.1	17.9	17.3
1958	14.1	7.8–19.1	7.5	11.8	18.1	17.9	17.3
1957	14.1	7.8–19.1	7.5	11.8	18.1	17.9	17.3
1956	15.7	9.0–20.7	8.3	17.7	18.1	18.6	17.3
1955	18.4	11.2–23.7	8.8	33.2	18.1	18.6	17.3
1954	17.9	10.9–22.9	7.7	33.6	18.1	18.8	16.1
1953	17.2	10.7–22.4	7.7	34.0	18.1	14.7	16.2
1952	17.9	11.2–23.2	10.4	33.6	18.1	14.7	16.2
1951	17.7	11.0–23.0	9.4	34.1	18.1	14.7	16.2
1950	17.7	10.7–22.8	9.4	34.1	18.1	14.7	16.4
1949	18.0	10.8–23.0	9.4	34.1	18.1	15.8	16.4
1948	16.4	9.7–21.0	8.8	34.1	18.1	9.4	16.7
1947	15.8	9.3–20.3	7.2	34.1	18.1	9.4	16.3
1946	15.8	9.3–20.3	7.2	34.1	18.1	9.4	16.3
1945	14.4	8.2–18.7	4.7	34.1	17.7	7.3	16.3
1944	14.3	8.2–18.4	4.5	34.1	18.2	7.0	16.0
1943	13.8	7.9–17.9	4.5	34.1	18.2	5.7	15.7
1942	13.8	7.9–17.9	4.5	34.1	18.2	5.7	15.7
1941	13.8	7.9–17.9	4.5	34.1	18.2	5.7	15.7
1940	14.1	7.9–18.4	4.5	34.5	18.2	6.2	16.1
1939	14.3	8.4–18.7	4.5	34.5	18.2	6.8	16.1
1938	14.3	8.4–18.7	4.5	34.5	18.2	6.8	16.1
1937	14.3	8.4–18.7	4.5	34.5	18.2	6.8	16.1
1936	14.3	8.4–18.7	4.5	34.5	18.2	6.8	16.1
1935	14.3	8.4–18.7	4.5	34.5	18.2	6.8	16.1
1934	14.3	8.5–18.7	4.5	34.5	18.2	6.8	16.1
1933	14.2	8.7–18.8	4.5	34.5	17.9	6.8	16.1
1932	14.2	8.7–18.8	4.5	34.5	17.9	6.8	16.1
1931	14.2	8.7–18.8	4.5	34.5	17.9	6.8	16.1
1930	14.2	8.7–18.8	4.5	34.5	17.9	6.8	16.1
1929	14.2	8.7–18.8	4.5	34.5	17.9	6.8	16.1
1928	14.2	8.7–18.8	4.5	34.5	17.9	6.8	16.1
1927	14.2	8.7–18.8	4.5	34.5	17.9	6.8	16.1
1926	14.1	8.6–18.8	4.3	34.5	17.9	6.8	16.1
1925	14.0	8.4–18.6	4.0	34.5	17.9	6.8	16.1
1924	14.0	8.4–18.6	4.0	34.5	17.9	6.8	16.1
1923	14.0	8.4–18.6	4.0	34.5	17.9	6.8	16.1
1922	14.2	8.5–18.6	4.1	34.5	18.4	6.8	16.1
1921	14.2	8.5–18.6	4.1	34.5	18.4	6.8	16.1
1920	14.2	8.2–18.5	4.1	34.5	18.4	6.8	16.1
1919	14.2	8.2–18.5	4.1	34.5	18.4	6.8	16.1
1918	13.6	7.7–17.6	4.1	34.5	15.2	6.8	16.1
1917	13.7	7.9–17.8	4.1	34.5	15.2	7.3	16.1
1916	13.7	7.9–17.8	4.1	34.5	15.2	7.3	16.1
1915	13.7	7.9–17.8	4.1	34.5	15.2	7.3	16.1
1914	13.5	7.6–17.4	4.1	34.5	15.2	6.3	16.1
1913	13.6	7.7–17.6	4.1	34.5	15.2	6.8	16.1
1912	13.6	7.7–17.6	4.1	34.5	15.2	6.8	16.1
1911	13.6	7.7–17.6	4.1	34.5	15.2	6.8	16.1
1910	13.7	8.1–17.9	4.1	34.5	15.2	7.0	16.1
1909	13.7	8.1–17.9	4.1	34.5	15.2	7.0	16.1
1908	13.7	8.1–17.9	4.1	34.5	15.2	7.0	16.1
1907	13.7	8.1–17.9	4.1	34.5	15.2	7.0	16.1
1906	13.7	8.1–17.9	4.1	34.5	15.2	7.0	16.1
1905	13.7	8.1–17.9	4.1	34.5	15.2	7.0	16.1
1904	13.7	8.1–17.9	4.1	34.5	15.2	7.0	16.1
1903	13.7	8.1–17.9	4.1	34.5	15.2	7.0	16.1
1902	13.7	8.1–17.9	4.1	34.5	15.2	7.0	16.1
1901	13.7	8.1–17.9	4.1	34.5	15.2	7.0	16.1
1900	13.7	8.2–17.9	4.1	34.5	15.2	7.0	16.1

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Algeria Democracy Score, 1900–2025,” Democracys Standard v1.0 beta; derived from Coppedge et al. (2026), V-Dem Country-Year Dataset v16.

Open source DOI

NEARBY IN THE 2025 RANKING

#129Djibouti36.0 #130Libya35.7 #132Kuwait35.0 #133Republic of the Congo34.6

All rankings

How democratic isAlgeria?

Algeria, 1975–2025

Criminal-law changes increased risks for critical speech

Rights and checks

Public reasoning

When did the biggest shifts appear?

Five dimensions of democracy

Free and fair elections

Rights and checks on power

Public participation

Public reasoning

Political equality

Two kinds of evidence.One clearer picture.

Algeria score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Algeria?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.