2025 country profile

How democratic is
Belgium?

Belgium scores 84.0 out of 100 and ranks 12 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

84.0out of 100Closer to the standard

2025 rank12 of 179

10-year change−2.0

25-year change−2.0

Source-bound range80.9–88.4

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

Belgium, 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.

2025 context · Freedom House assessment

A prolonged regional deadlock limited governing capacity

Brussels remained without a newly formed regional government following the June 2024 elections. This is different from an unfair election: the concern is elected representatives’ ability to negotiate and form a functioning administration. It shows why democratic performance includes what happens between ballots as well as on election day.

Read the country report · Freedom in the World 2026

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 Belgium fell 2.0 points, from 86.0 to 84.0 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: 93.4 → 88.7
Approx. contribution to overall change: −0.9 points

Another important influence

Public reasoning

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

Area score: 89.7 → 86.3
Approx. contribution to overall change: −0.7 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.

2022–2023−0.5 points
The overall score fell from 86.0 to 85.5. Rights and checks supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2023–2024−0.6 points
The overall score fell from 85.5 to 84.9. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2024–2025−0.9 points
The overall score fell from 84.9 to 84.0. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 86.1 in 2020. 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	93.4	88.7	−4.7	−0.9
Public reasoning	89.7	86.3	−3.4	−0.7
Elections	90.1	88.9	−1.2	−0.2
Participation	65.7	64.7	−1.0	−0.2
Political equality	93.1	92.9	−0.2	0.0

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?

88.9

Rights and checks on power

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

88.7

Public participation

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

64.7

Public reasoning

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

86.3

Political equality

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

92.9

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

Belgium score table

Download Belgium CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	84.0	80.9–88.4	88.9	88.7	64.7	86.3	92.9
2024	84.9	82.3–89.3	89.1	90.7	64.7	88.8	93.1
2023	85.5	83.0–89.6	89.5	90.7	64.8	91.0	93.3
2022	86.0	83.6–89.9	89.5	93.6	64.8	91.0	93.3
2021	86.0	83.5–90.0	89.7	92.5	64.8	91.8	93.0
2020	86.1	83.5–89.8	89.7	92.5	64.9	92.2	93.2
2019	86.0	83.3–89.6	90.1	93.4	65.1	89.8	93.6
2018	85.8	83.3–89.7	90.0	93.3	65.1	89.4	93.1
2017	85.9	83.3–89.6	90.0	93.3	65.1	89.7	93.1
2016	85.9	83.3–89.7	90.1	93.3	65.1	89.7	93.1
2015	86.0	83.5–89.7	90.1	93.4	65.7	89.7	93.1
2014	86.1	83.3–89.6	90.2	93.5	65.7	89.7	93.1
2013	86.3	83.6–89.8	90.2	93.5	65.7	90.8	93.1
2012	86.3	83.8–89.7	90.0	93.2	65.7	90.5	94.2
2011	86.3	83.6–89.7	90.0	93.2	65.7	90.1	94.2
2010	86.3	83.8–89.7	90.0	93.2	65.7	90.2	94.2
2009	86.3	83.8–89.9	89.9	93.3	65.7	90.2	94.2
2008	86.2	83.6–89.8	89.9	93.0	65.7	90.1	94.2
2007	86.2	83.6–89.7	89.1	93.6	65.7	90.4	94.2
2006	85.9	83.4–89.7	88.5	93.1	65.7	90.0	94.2
2005	86.0	83.3–89.6	88.4	93.1	65.7	90.2	94.2
2004	85.6	82.8–89.4	86.4	93.1	65.7	90.2	94.2
2003	86.0	83.2–89.6	88.6	93.1	65.7	90.2	94.2
2002	86.0	83.3–89.7	88.5	93.1	65.7	90.2	94.2
2001	86.0	83.3–89.7	88.5	93.1	65.7	90.2	94.2
2000	86.0	83.3–89.7	88.5	93.1	65.7	90.2	94.2
1999	85.9	83.3–89.7	88.3	93.1	65.7	90.2	94.2
1998	86.0	83.5–89.7	88.2	92.7	65.7	90.9	94.2
1997	86.0	83.4–89.7	88.2	92.7	65.7	90.9	94.2
1996	86.0	83.4–89.7	88.2	92.7	65.7	90.9	94.2
1995	85.6	82.9–89.6	88.2	92.5	65.4	89.6	94.2
1994	85.5	82.8–89.5	87.9	92.5	65.3	89.6	94.2
1993	85.5	82.7–89.4	87.9	92.5	64.7	89.9	94.2
1992	85.5	82.7–89.4	87.9	92.5	64.7	89.9	94.2
1991	85.1	82.4–89.3	87.0	92.4	64.3	89.9	93.7
1990	85.0	82.2–89.1	86.9	92.4	64.3	89.9	93.5
1989	84.4	81.2–88.6	85.8	91.1	63.8	89.9	93.5
1988	84.4	81.2–88.5	85.4	91.4	63.8	89.9	93.5
1987	84.5	81.2–88.4	85.9	91.4	63.8	89.9	93.5
1986	84.5	81.3–88.5	85.9	91.4	63.8	89.9	93.5
1985	84.3	81.1–88.6	86.0	91.4	62.9	89.9	93.5
1984	84.3	81.1–88.6	86.0	91.4	62.9	89.9	93.5
1983	84.3	81.1–88.6	86.0	91.4	62.9	89.9	93.5
1982	84.2	81.1–88.7	86.0	91.4	62.9	89.9	93.1
1981	84.1	81.0–88.7	85.9	91.4	62.5	89.9	93.1
1980	84.3	81.1–88.7	86.6	91.4	62.5	89.9	93.1
1979	83.7	80.7–88.5	85.3	91.0	62.5	89.9	92.1
1978	83.8	80.5–88.4	85.4	91.0	62.5	89.9	92.1
1977	83.7	80.5–88.4	85.3	91.0	62.5	89.9	92.1
1976	83.7	80.5–88.4	85.0	91.0	62.5	89.9	92.1
1975	83.7	80.6–88.5	84.9	91.0	62.5	89.9	92.1
1974	83.7	80.6–88.5	85.0	91.0	62.5	89.9	92.1
1973	83.8	80.7–88.6	85.4	91.0	62.5	89.9	92.1
1972	83.8	80.7–88.6	85.4	91.0	62.5	89.9	92.1
1971	83.6	80.5–88.3	84.8	90.9	62.5	89.9	92.1
1970	83.6	80.4–88.3	84.6	90.9	62.5	89.9	92.1
1969	83.2	79.9–88.0	84.3	90.7	62.3	89.9	90.7
1968	82.9	79.6–87.9	84.4	90.7	62.3	89.9	89.1
1967	82.9	79.5–87.9	84.6	90.7	62.3	89.9	89.1
1966	82.9	79.5–87.9	84.6	90.7	62.3	89.9	89.1
1965	82.9	79.6–88.0	84.5	90.7	62.3	90.0	89.1
1964	83.0	79.6–88.0	84.2	90.7	62.7	90.0	89.1
1963	83.0	79.6–88.0	84.2	90.7	62.7	90.0	89.1
1962	82.7	79.4–87.8	84.2	90.1	62.7	90.0	88.6
1961	82.6	79.3–87.7	83.6	90.0	62.7	90.0	88.6
1960	82.8	79.6–87.8	83.6	90.0	62.7	91.2	88.6
1959	80.6	77.4–85.3	73.0	90.0	62.7	91.2	88.2
1958	80.6	77.2–85.1	73.1	89.9	62.7	91.2	88.2
1957	80.5	77.1–85.0	73.3	89.9	62.7	91.2	87.7
1956	80.5	77.1–85.1	73.3	89.7	62.7	91.2	87.7
1955	80.5	77.1–85.1	73.3	89.7	62.7	91.2	87.7
1954	80.5	77.0–85.1	73.1	89.7	62.7	91.2	87.7
1953	80.3	76.9–85.0	72.5	89.7	62.7	91.2	87.7
1952	80.3	76.9–85.0	72.5	89.7	62.7	91.2	87.7
1951	80.3	76.9–85.0	72.5	89.7	62.7	91.2	87.7
1950	80.9	77.5–85.6	72.0	89.5	66.0	91.2	87.7
1949	78.6	74.9–83.7	70.0	89.7	63.2	91.2	81.0
1948	74.4	70.9–79.3	53.5	89.7	63.2	91.2	78.2
1947	74.2	70.5–78.9	53.5	89.7	63.2	91.2	77.1
1946	73.5	69.9–78.1	50.4	89.7	63.5	91.2	77.1
1945	60.8	56.1–66.1	23.9	84.4	46.5	91.1	74.3
1944	38.8	31.9–44.9	13.9	56.5	41.9	27.1	68.5
1943	36.0	28.9–41.4	12.2	49.0	41.9	23.0	68.5
1942	36.0	28.9–41.4	12.2	49.0	41.9	23.0	68.5
1941	36.2	29.0–41.4	12.5	49.4	41.9	23.0	68.5
1940	48.4	41.8–55.3	23.4	63.0	48.4	46.2	68.5
1939	65.7	59.6–72.4	50.6	86.6	54.4	68.7	71.2
1938	65.7	59.6–72.4	50.7	86.6	54.4	68.7	71.2
1937	65.7	59.6–72.4	50.7	86.6	54.4	68.7	71.2
1936	65.6	59.6–72.4	50.2	86.6	54.4	68.7	71.2
1935	65.4	59.5–72.4	50.2	86.6	53.5	68.7	71.2
1934	65.4	59.5–72.4	50.2	86.6	53.5	68.7	71.2
1933	65.4	59.5–72.4	50.2	86.6	53.5	68.7	71.2
1932	65.4	59.6–72.5	50.4	86.3	53.5	68.7	71.2
1931	65.4	59.6–72.5	50.4	86.3	53.5	68.7	71.2
1930	65.4	59.6–72.5	50.4	86.3	53.5	68.7	71.2
1929	65.4	59.7–72.6	50.6	86.3	53.5	68.7	71.2
1928	65.5	59.7–72.6	50.7	86.3	53.5	68.7	71.2
1927	65.5	59.7–72.6	50.7	86.3	53.5	68.7	71.2
1926	65.5	59.7–72.6	50.7	86.3	53.5	68.7	71.2
1925	65.5	59.7–72.6	50.8	86.3	53.5	68.7	71.2
1924	65.5	59.6–72.6	51.0	86.3	53.5	68.7	71.2
1923	65.5	59.6–72.6	51.0	86.3	53.5	68.7	71.2
1922	65.5	59.6–72.6	51.0	86.3	53.5	68.7	71.2
1921	65.1	59.3–72.3	50.4	86.3	53.5	68.7	69.6
1920	61.4	55.7–67.8	36.4	86.3	53.5	68.7	68.5
1919	53.7	48.7–59.8	24.6	63.0	53.5	68.7	66.8
1918	44.2	38.1–50.6	18.1	52.8	42.6	51.1	65.5
1917	39.8	33.3–45.7	15.6	49.1	39.7	39.6	64.4
1916	39.8	33.3–45.7	15.6	49.1	39.7	39.6	64.4
1915	39.8	33.3–45.7	15.6	49.1	39.7	39.6	64.4
1914	46.8	39.9–53.6	30.3	66.7	39.7	38.4	64.4
1913	61.3	55.1–68.8	50.7	85.1	47.8	60.4	65.8
1912	61.2	55.0–68.7	51.1	85.1	47.8	60.4	64.9
1911	61.2	55.0–68.7	51.0	85.1	47.8	60.4	64.9
1910	61.2	55.0–68.6	50.9	85.1	47.8	60.4	64.9
1909	61.2	54.8–68.5	50.9	85.1	47.8	60.4	64.9
1908	61.2	54.8–68.6	50.9	85.1	47.8	60.4	64.9
1907	61.3	55.0–68.7	51.0	85.7	47.8	60.4	64.7
1906	61.1	54.8–68.5	50.8	85.7	47.8	60.4	64.0
1905	61.0	54.7–68.5	50.5	85.7	47.8	60.4	64.0
1904	61.1	54.7–68.4	50.7	85.7	47.8	60.4	64.0
1903	61.1	54.7–68.4	50.9	85.7	47.8	60.4	64.0
1902	61.1	54.7–68.4	50.9	85.7	47.8	60.4	64.0
1901	61.1	54.8–68.5	50.8	85.7	47.8	60.4	64.0
1900	61.0	54.7–68.5	50.5	85.7	47.8	60.4	64.0

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Belgium 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

#10Estonia84.1 #11Ireland84.1 #13Luxembourg83.9 #14France83.0

All rankings

How democratic isBelgium?

Belgium, 1975–2025

A prolonged regional deadlock limited governing capacity

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.

Belgium score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Belgium?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.