2025 country profile

How democratic is
Bolivia?

Bolivia scores 51.4 out of 100 and ranks 102 of 179 in our independent 2025 democracy measure. Its lowest-scoring test is public reasoning. 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

51.4out of 100Major democratic constraints

2025 rank102 of 179

10-year change−12.7

25-year change−14.5

Source-bound range43.8–59.4

Weakest areaReasoning

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

SCORE HISTORY

Bolivia, 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

Competitive elections produced a change of governing party

Constitutional term limits were upheld, competitive elections brought an opposition candidate to the presidency, and a long period of rule by one party ended. Freedom House contrasts this with earlier blockades and disruption. The important change is that electoral competition translated into a transfer of executive power.

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 Bolivia fell 12.7 points, from 64.1 to 51.4 between 2015 and 2025. All five areas declined. Public reasoning contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Public reasoning

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

Area score: 71.1 → 27.3
Approx. contribution to overall change: −9.8 points

Another important influence

Participation

The evidence rates opportunities to participate through civic organizations, direct democracy, and local or regional institutions less favorably.

Area score: 73.7 → 64.4
Approx. contribution to overall change: −1.7 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.

2018–2019−7.9 points
The overall score fell from 61.4 to 53.5. Elections supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2019–2020−5.1 points
The overall score fell from 53.5 to 48.4. Elections supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2020–2021+12.1 points
The overall score rose from 48.4 to 60.5. Elections supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 64.1 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
Public reasoning	71.1	27.3	−43.8	−9.8
Participation	73.7	64.4	−9.3	−1.7
Political equality	63.1	59.5	−3.6	−0.7
Rights and checks	53.0	50.6	−2.4	−0.5
Elections	60.9	60.5	−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?

60.5

Rights and checks on power

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

50.6

Public participation

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

64.4

Public reasoning

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

27.3

Political equality

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

59.5

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

Bolivia score table

Download Bolivia CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	51.4	43.8–59.4	60.5	50.6	64.4	27.3	59.5
2024	54.6	46.9–62.5	57.7	45.2	62.9	47.8	60.4
2023	57.6	49.5–65.1	58.6	51.0	64.0	54.2	60.5
2022	58.1	50.2–65.3	58.7	49.6	66.2	56.3	60.4
2021	60.5	53.2–68.1	60.8	51.8	67.0	63.3	60.3
2020	48.4	41.4–54.9	27.5	54.6	65.3	47.7	51.5
2019	53.5	46.6–60.8	45.6	41.5	67.6	59.8	55.3
2018	61.4	54.9–68.7	59.3	49.8	71.2	65.2	62.4
2017	62.0	55.5–69.6	60.9	51.3	71.5	65.5	61.9
2016	63.3	56.2–70.4	62.0	53.2	71.9	67.9	62.2
2015	64.1	58.2–71.7	60.9	53.0	73.7	71.1	63.1
2014	65.9	59.9–72.8	64.7	52.7	76.1	73.5	64.0
2013	66.4	60.4–73.3	65.8	52.7	77.9	73.5	63.5
2012	66.4	60.5–73.4	67.0	50.4	79.0	74.3	63.1
2011	67.3	61.7–74.2	67.7	50.9	80.2	74.7	65.0
2010	67.5	62.0–74.4	68.0	50.9	81.0	74.7	65.0
2009	68.5	62.4–75.0	71.4	53.4	80.0	75.8	63.8
2008	68.6	62.6–75.3	71.9	56.5	76.3	77.1	62.4
2007	68.5	62.5–75.1	71.9	57.0	76.3	76.0	62.4
2006	68.4	62.4–75.1	72.4	56.9	75.6	76.0	62.2
2005	69.0	62.7–75.4	74.6	67.3	66.2	83.6	54.9
2004	70.5	64.5–77.4	75.3	67.8	63.5	89.1	58.5
2003	66.9	60.2–74.0	71.9	68.3	54.3	83.3	58.5
2002	65.8	59.6–73.7	71.9	66.2	53.7	80.2	58.5
2001	65.9	59.1–73.9	73.7	66.2	53.2	76.1	61.7
2000	65.9	59.6–74.4	74.3	66.2	53.2	76.1	61.1
1999	65.4	58.1–73.0	74.3	65.7	51.4	78.9	58.5
1998	65.4	58.4–73.3	73.5	65.4	51.4	78.9	59.6
1997	66.8	60.8–74.6	73.5	65.4	51.4	87.3	59.0
1996	65.8	59.6–73.6	73.0	61.2	51.4	87.3	59.0
1995	65.8	59.9–73.6	73.0	61.2	51.4	87.3	58.9
1994	64.8	57.8–72.0	71.8	61.2	48.9	87.9	57.6
1993	61.9	55.1–70.1	70.5	60.9	43.3	83.7	54.9
1992	59.8	52.7–68.6	69.7	60.9	42.5	73.9	54.6
1991	59.6	52.4–68.4	68.6	60.9	42.5	73.9	54.7
1990	58.6	50.8–66.6	65.1	60.1	41.8	73.9	54.7
1989	57.7	50.3–66.0	63.9	60.1	40.7	73.9	52.7
1988	57.6	50.2–66.1	63.6	60.1	40.7	73.9	52.7
1987	57.5	49.7–65.7	63.3	60.1	40.3	73.9	52.7
1986	54.4	46.5–63.1	62.2	60.1	31.1	71.1	52.7
1985	51.5	44.1–59.6	46.2	60.1	34.6	66.4	53.5
1984	44.2	37.8–51.0	32.5	52.5	25.2	66.0	51.3
1983	43.4	36.3–49.9	32.0	48.2	25.2	66.0	51.6
1982	30.6	23.4–37.1	20.1	33.9	21.7	36.3	44.3
1981	12.9	7.9–16.5	9.9	6.4	12.4	7.7	34.6
1980	13.5	8.2–17.1	12.6	7.7	12.4	6.4	34.6
1979	14.2	9.1–18.5	14.1	9.7	12.4	5.5	36.5
1978	10.5	5.8–13.5	10.7	5.0	11.0	2.7	31.6
1977	9.9	5.5–12.8	8.8	4.3	11.0	2.6	31.6
1976	9.9	5.5–12.8	8.8	4.3	11.0	2.6	31.6
1975	9.9	5.6–12.7	8.8	4.3	11.0	2.6	31.8
1974	9.9	5.6–12.8	8.9	4.3	11.0	2.6	31.8
1973	10.0	5.7–13.0	9.0	4.3	11.0	2.7	31.8
1972	10.0	5.7–13.0	9.0	4.3	11.0	2.7	31.8
1971	11.9	7.3–15.5	9.7	4.3	13.1	4.9	37.2
1970	15.8	10.1–20.1	10.8	8.3	14.7	13.6	37.2
1969	16.0	10.2–20.6	16.6	9.4	12.4	11.4	35.0
1968	15.4	9.7–19.9	18.3	10.0	12.4	8.5	32.7
1967	15.5	9.7–19.9	18.3	10.0	12.4	8.5	33.0
1966	14.2	8.9–18.5	13.7	8.6	12.4	8.5	33.0
1965	16.6	10.4–21.4	12.3	11.7	13.4	15.9	33.1
1964	26.3	19.3–33.0	22.7	20.6	18.5	36.8	35.8
1963	29.9	22.5–36.7	25.5	26.3	20.6	42.8	36.9
1962	30.0	22.6–36.9	25.8	26.3	20.6	42.8	36.9
1961	30.3	22.4–36.9	26.3	26.3	20.6	44.4	36.8
1960	30.3	22.4–36.9	26.1	26.3	20.6	44.4	36.8
1959	30.3	22.7–37.1	26.0	26.5	20.6	44.4	37.0
1958	30.3	22.7–37.1	26.1	26.5	20.6	44.4	37.0
1957	30.4	22.6–37.0	26.2	26.5	20.6	44.4	37.1
1956	30.3	22.6–36.8	24.1	26.0	20.6	47.5	37.1
1955	29.7	22.8–36.5	21.8	25.3	20.6	49.0	36.1
1954	29.8	22.8–36.7	21.8	25.8	20.6	49.0	36.1
1953	30.1	22.9–36.7	21.8	25.8	20.6	50.6	36.1
1952	25.6	18.5–31.7	13.2	25.6	21.6	40.7	31.1
1951	11.0	5.9–14.4	11.9	20.2	9.0	10.2	6.0
1950	12.1	6.6–15.7	16.5	20.8	9.0	11.1	6.0
1949	12.1	6.7–15.8	16.7	20.8	9.0	11.1	6.0
1948	13.4	7.6–17.6	17.1	20.8	12.6	12.3	6.7
1947	14.4	8.6–18.8	15.9	20.8	17.6	12.3	7.4
1946	12.7	7.3–17.0	9.8	14.5	17.6	15.8	7.4
1945	13.7	8.0–18.2	10.9	21.1	18.1	13.4	7.4
1944	12.7	7.1–16.9	9.9	17.0	18.4	13.4	6.8
1943	12.7	7.2–16.6	15.4	14.5	14.7	13.6	6.8
1942	13.2	7.5–17.1	15.8	21.1	12.3	12.2	6.8
1941	12.9	7.2–16.7	15.8	21.1	10.7	12.2	6.8
1940	12.5	7.2–16.4	15.9	20.5	10.7	11.0	6.8
1939	14.0	8.1–18.2	17.0	20.4	17.0	9.9	7.8
1938	13.1	7.4–17.2	14.1	18.6	17.0	9.9	7.8
1937	11.2	6.1–15.1	8.0	14.9	17.0	9.9	7.8
1936	11.3	6.1–15.2	8.0	14.9	17.0	10.2	7.8
1935	11.0	5.9–14.6	7.4	23.1	12.3	10.7	5.1
1934	13.5	7.8–17.4	14.3	23.3	12.3	16.1	5.1
1933	13.3	7.8–17.4	15.2	23.9	10.2	16.1	5.1
1932	13.6	8.1–17.9	15.6	23.9	10.2	17.2	5.1
1931	14.0	8.6–18.0	16.0	23.9	13.6	17.2	4.2
1930	13.4	7.6–17.3	13.6	24.0	13.0	16.8	4.2
1929	14.1	8.1–18.1	17.6	24.0	13.0	16.8	4.2
1928	14.1	8.1–18.1	17.6	24.0	13.0	16.8	4.2
1927	14.2	7.9–18.0	17.6	24.0	13.0	16.8	4.3
1926	14.1	7.9–18.0	17.5	24.0	13.0	16.8	4.3
1925	13.2	7.4–16.9	16.6	24.0	10.6	16.8	3.7
1924	13.2	7.5–16.9	16.6	24.0	10.6	16.8	3.7
1923	13.2	7.2–16.8	16.6	24.0	10.6	16.8	3.6
1922	13.2	7.2–16.7	16.7	24.0	10.6	16.8	3.6
1921	13.1	7.1–16.7	16.2	24.0	10.6	16.8	3.6
1920	12.6	6.7–16.1	14.1	24.3	10.6	15.4	3.6
1919	13.1	7.4–16.8	17.5	24.3	10.6	15.4	3.6
1918	13.1	7.4–16.9	17.5	23.7	10.6	15.4	3.6
1917	13.0	7.2–16.6	17.4	23.4	10.6	15.4	3.6
1916	12.9	7.3–16.7	17.1	23.0	10.6	15.4	3.6
1915	12.9	7.3–16.8	17.4	23.0	10.6	15.4	3.5
1914	12.9	7.3–16.8	17.4	23.0	10.6	15.4	3.5
1913	12.9	7.3–16.8	17.5	23.0	10.6	15.4	3.5
1912	13.0	7.1–16.5	17.7	23.1	10.6	15.4	3.5
1911	13.0	7.2–16.5	17.7	23.1	10.6	15.4	3.6
1910	13.0	7.2–16.5	17.7	23.1	10.6	15.4	3.6
1909	13.0	7.2–16.6	17.6	23.1	10.6	15.4	3.6
1908	12.9	7.4–16.7	17.5	23.0	10.6	15.4	3.6
1907	12.9	6.9–16.5	17.5	23.0	10.6	15.4	3.5
1906	12.9	6.9–16.5	17.5	23.0	10.6	15.4	3.5
1905	12.9	6.9–16.5	17.3	23.0	10.6	15.4	3.5
1904	12.9	6.9–16.5	17.3	23.0	10.6	15.4	3.5
1903	12.9	7.3–16.6	17.1	23.0	10.6	15.4	3.6
1902	12.9	7.3–16.6	17.1	23.0	10.6	15.4	3.6
1901	12.9	7.3–16.6	17.0	23.0	10.6	15.4	3.6
1900	12.8	7.2–16.5	16.8	22.6	10.6	15.4	3.6

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Bolivia 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

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All rankings

How democratic isBolivia?

Bolivia, 1975–2025

Competitive elections produced a change of governing party

Public reasoning

Participation

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.

Bolivia score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Bolivia?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.