2025 country profile

How democratic is
Barbados?

Barbados scores 71.5 out of 100 and ranks 47 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

71.5out of 100Substantial but incomplete

2025 rank47 of 179

10-year change+1.6

25-year change+3.2

Source-bound range67.6–76.6

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

Barbados, 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

A parliamentary opposition reappeared

A lawmaker’s defection created the first opposition presence in the House since the 2022 election. It filled the opposition-leader position and reactivated the Public Accounts Committee’s leadership. This matters because scrutiny of public spending depends on functioning oversight roles, not only the regular holding of elections.

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 Barbados rose 1.6 points, from 69.9 to 71.5 between 2015 and 2025. 4 of the five areas improved while 1 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. Political equality contributed the largest upward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Political equality

The evidence rates the distribution of political influence, rights, and access across social groups more favorably.

Area score: 80.9 → 84.8
Approx. contribution to overall change: +0.7 points

Moving in the other direction

Rights and checks

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

Area score: 85.0 → 84.6
Approx. contribution to overall change: −0.1 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.

2016–2017−2.3 points
The overall score fell from 69.5 to 67.2. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2017–2018+2.6 points
The overall score rose from 67.2 to 69.8. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2019–2020+1.1 points
The overall score rose from 70.2 to 71.3. Elections supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 71.6 in 2024. 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
Political equality	80.9	84.8	+3.9	+0.7
Public reasoning	88.7	91.5	+2.8	+0.5
Elections	77.6	79.7	+2.1	+0.4
Participation	29.5	29.8	+0.3	+0.1
Rights and checks	85.0	84.6	−0.4	−0.1

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?

79.7

Rights and checks on power

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

84.6

Public participation

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

29.8

Public reasoning

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

91.5

Political equality

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

84.8

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

Barbados score table

Download Barbados CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	71.5	67.6–76.6	79.7	84.6	29.8	91.5	84.8
2024	71.6	67.8–76.8	80.2	84.6	29.8	91.5	84.8
2023	71.3	67.3–76.6	80.2	84.9	29.8	89.4	84.8
2022	71.2	67.3–76.8	80.2	84.7	29.8	90.2	83.8
2021	71.1	67.2–76.8	80.7	84.7	29.9	89.0	83.8
2020	71.3	67.4–76.8	81.1	84.7	29.9	89.9	83.4
2019	70.2	66.1–75.9	79.2	83.7	29.6	88.9	82.0
2018	69.8	65.6–75.5	77.6	83.7	30.0	88.9	80.5
2017	67.2	62.6–73.9	77.3	84.3	30.1	74.6	79.9
2016	69.5	65.2–75.4	77.6	85.0	29.5	86.6	80.9
2015	69.9	65.8–75.7	77.6	85.0	29.5	88.7	80.9
2014	70.3	66.7–76.5	78.0	84.5	29.5	88.9	83.2
2013	70.4	66.8–76.5	78.1	84.9	29.5	88.9	83.2
2012	70.5	66.8–76.5	78.4	84.9	29.5	88.9	83.2
2011	70.5	66.8–76.5	78.4	84.9	29.5	88.9	83.2
2010	70.5	66.8–76.5	78.4	84.9	29.5	88.9	83.2
2009	70.6	66.6–76.2	78.4	85.0	29.5	89.2	83.2
2008	70.5	66.6–76.2	78.3	85.0	29.5	89.2	83.2
2007	70.2	66.2–76.0	76.6	85.0	29.5	89.2	83.2
2006	70.1	66.2–76.0	76.6	84.6	29.5	89.2	83.2
2005	70.2	66.3–76.1	76.6	84.8	29.5	89.2	83.2
2004	69.2	64.6–75.2	76.6	84.8	29.5	86.3	80.5
2003	69.2	64.6–75.2	76.7	84.8	29.5	86.3	80.5
2002	68.3	63.4–74.5	76.9	84.8	29.5	81.2	80.5
2001	68.3	63.4–74.5	76.9	84.8	29.5	81.2	80.5
2000	68.3	63.4–74.5	76.9	84.8	29.5	81.2	80.5
1999	67.7	62.3–74.2	77.0	84.8	29.0	78.6	80.5
1998	66.8	61.5–73.7	76.2	84.8	29.0	75.0	80.2
1997	66.8	61.5–73.7	76.2	84.8	29.0	75.0	80.2
1996	66.8	61.5–73.7	76.2	84.8	29.0	75.0	80.2
1995	66.8	61.5–73.7	76.2	84.8	29.0	75.0	80.2
1994	66.3	61.0–73.5	76.2	84.8	29.0	72.2	80.2
1993	65.7	59.9–72.8	76.2	84.8	29.0	69.2	80.2
1992	65.7	59.7–72.6	76.2	84.8	29.0	69.2	80.0
1991	64.1	57.9–71.3	76.2	84.8	29.0	61.1	79.9
1990	63.8	57.5–71.1	74.8	84.8	29.0	61.1	79.9
1989	61.1	53.5–69.0	74.3	84.8	22.4	59.0	79.9
1988	61.0	53.2–68.8	74.3	84.0	22.4	59.0	79.9
1987	61.0	53.2–68.8	74.3	84.0	22.4	59.0	79.9
1986	61.0	53.3–68.8	74.4	84.0	22.4	59.0	79.9
1985	61.0	53.3–68.9	74.5	84.0	22.4	59.0	79.9
1984	61.0	53.3–68.9	74.5	84.0	22.4	59.0	79.9
1983	61.0	53.3–68.9	74.5	84.0	22.4	59.0	79.9
1982	60.2	53.3–68.7	74.5	84.0	22.4	55.0	79.9
1981	60.3	53.3–68.8	74.4	84.5	22.4	55.0	79.9
1980	60.2	53.2–68.7	74.2	84.5	22.4	55.0	79.9
1979	60.2	53.4–68.8	73.8	84.5	22.4	55.0	79.9
1978	60.2	53.4–68.8	73.8	84.5	22.4	55.0	79.9
1977	60.2	53.4–68.8	73.8	84.5	22.4	55.0	79.9
1976	60.2	53.2–68.7	73.7	84.5	22.4	55.0	79.9
1975	60.1	53.1–68.6	73.7	84.0	22.4	55.0	79.9
1974	60.1	53.1–68.6	73.7	84.0	22.4	55.0	79.9
1973	60.1	53.1–68.6	73.7	84.0	22.4	55.0	79.9
1972	60.0	53.2–68.7	73.1	84.0	22.4	55.0	79.9
1971	59.4	51.9–67.8	73.3	83.3	21.7	53.9	79.9
1970	59.4	51.9–67.8	73.3	83.3	21.7	53.9	79.9
1969	59.2	51.4–67.6	73.3	81.8	21.7	53.9	80.1
1968	59.0	51.0–67.2	71.9	82.1	21.7	53.9	80.1
1967	59.0	51.0–67.2	71.9	82.1	21.7	53.9	80.1
1966	57.7	49.8–66.1	71.0	81.1	21.7	53.9	74.4
1965	52.3	44.4–60.6	61.3	73.0	26.9	53.9	53.0
1964	52.3	44.4–60.6	61.3	73.0	26.9	53.9	53.0
1963	52.3	44.4–60.6	61.3	73.0	26.9	53.9	53.0
1962	52.4	44.3–60.6	61.3	73.9	26.9	53.9	53.0
1961	49.9	42.1–58.4	59.6	73.9	26.9	42.8	53.0
1960	49.1	41.0–57.5	59.4	73.9	26.9	39.4	52.9
1959	46.7	39.1–54.6	46.6	74.1	26.9	39.4	52.9
1958	46.7	39.1–54.6	46.6	74.1	26.9	39.4	52.9
1957	45.4	37.7–53.1	46.6	70.8	26.9	39.4	49.0
1956	45.4	38.0–53.3	46.7	70.7	26.9	39.4	49.0
1955	45.3	37.7–53.1	45.4	71.6	26.9	39.4	49.0
1954	42.4	35.4–49.6	33.2	69.2	26.9	39.4	49.0
1953	42.4	35.4–49.6	33.2	69.2	26.9	39.4	49.0
1952	42.4	35.4–49.6	33.2	69.2	26.9	39.4	49.0
1951	37.6	31.0–44.6	20.7	69.2	26.6	32.3	48.2
1950	36.1	29.6–43.1	16.5	67.3	26.6	32.3	48.2
1949	35.0	28.6–42.1	16.6	67.1	26.6	32.3	41.5
1948	34.9	28.5–42.0	16.4	67.1	26.6	32.3	41.5
1947	34.9	28.4–41.9	16.4	67.0	26.6	32.3	41.5
1946	34.0	26.9–40.7	16.4	66.8	24.6	32.3	39.3
1945	29.3	22.0–36.0	14.5	66.8	21.3	26.4	27.9
1944	27.9	20.7–34.3	13.4	66.8	21.3	21.3	27.6
1943	26.3	18.6–32.5	12.2	66.8	19.6	17.5	27.6
1942	26.3	18.6–32.5	12.2	66.8	19.6	17.5	27.6
1941	26.3	18.6–32.5	12.2	66.8	19.6	17.5	27.6
1940	26.3	18.6–32.5	12.2	66.8	19.6	17.5	27.6
1939	25.9	18.2–31.8	12.2	65.3	19.6	17.5	26.6
1938	25.8	17.9–31.6	12.2	64.5	19.6	17.5	26.6
1937	25.4	17.7–31.3	11.4	63.5	19.6	17.5	26.6
1936	25.4	17.7–31.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	17.5	26.6
1935	25.4	17.7–31.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	17.5	26.6
1934	25.4	17.7–31.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	17.5	26.6
1933	25.4	17.7–31.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	17.5	26.6
1932	25.4	17.7–31.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	17.5	26.6
1931	25.4	17.7–31.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	17.5	26.6
1930	25.4	17.7–31.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	17.5	26.6
1929	25.4	17.7–31.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	17.5	26.6
1928	25.4	17.7–31.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	17.5	26.6
1927	25.4	17.8–31.4	11.4	63.7	19.6	17.5	26.6
1926	25.4	17.8–31.4	11.4	63.7	19.6	17.5	26.6
1925	25.2	17.6–30.8	11.4	63.7	19.6	16.3	26.6
1924	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1923	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1922	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1921	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1920	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1919	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1918	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1917	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1916	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1915	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1914	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1913	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1912	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1911	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1910	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1909	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1908	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1907	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1906	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1905	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1904	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1903	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1902	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1901	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6
1900	24.6	17.2–30.3	11.4	63.7	19.6	14.2	26.6

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Barbados 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

#45Israel72.3 #46Bhutan71.6 #48Montenegro71.1 #49Moldova70.8

All rankings

How democratic isBarbados?

Barbados, 1975–2025

A parliamentary opposition reappeared

Political equality

Rights and checks

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.

Barbados score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Barbados?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.