2025 country profile

How democratic is
Bulgaria?

Bulgaria scores 70.4 out of 100 and ranks 50 of 179 in our independent 2025 democracy measure. Its lowest-scoring test is free and fair elections. 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

70.4out of 100Substantial but incomplete

2025 rank50 of 179

10-year change−4.1

25-year change−5.8

Source-bound range63.9–78.0

Weakest areaElections

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

SCORE HISTORY

Bulgaria, 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

Election disputes and judicial appointments remained unresolved

Freedom House identifies unresolved fraud and vote-buying concerns surrounding the 2024 election, despite a court invalidating some seats. It also notes that the Supreme Judicial Council continued beyond its expired mandate. These are separate weaknesses in electoral accountability and the renewal of institutions responsible for judicial governance.

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 Bulgaria fell 4.1 points, from 74.5 to 70.4 between 2015 and 2025. All five areas declined. Elections contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Elections

The evidence rates electoral choice, voting rights, political organization, and the space for open debate less favorably.

Area score: 67.1 → 59.9
Approx. contribution to overall change: −1.5 points

Another important influence

Political equality

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

Area score: 75.7 → 71.2
Approx. contribution to overall change: −0.9 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.

2016–2017−2.6 points
The overall score fell from 75.7 to 73.1. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2023–2024−3.7 points
The overall score fell from 76.8 to 73.1. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2024–2025−2.7 points
The overall score fell from 73.1 to 70.4. Participation supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 77.2 in 2022. 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
Elections	67.1	59.9	−7.2	−1.5
Political equality	75.7	71.2	−4.5	−0.9
Participation	65.1	61.6	−3.5	−0.7
Public reasoning	80.9	77.9	−3.0	−0.6
Rights and checks	84.9	82.6	−2.3	−0.4

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?

59.9

Rights and checks on power

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

82.6

Public participation

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

61.6

Public reasoning

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

77.9

Political equality

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

71.2

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

Bulgaria score table

Download Bulgaria CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	70.4	63.9–78.0	59.9	82.6	61.6	77.9	71.2
2024	73.1	67.3–80.3	64.5	82.2	66.3	81.5	71.9
2023	76.8	71.9–83.1	65.9	88.8	66.9	88.4	75.7
2022	77.2	71.8–83.6	67.9	90.1	65.8	84.9	78.9
2021	74.9	69.3–81.8	66.5	82.6	68.8	83.1	74.2
2020	72.6	67.4–79.8	60.7	81.6	70.2	80.6	71.1
2019	72.4	66.4–79.5	60.9	82.6	69.5	75.8	73.9
2018	73.1	67.3–80.1	61.2	82.7	70.7	76.4	75.6
2017	73.1	67.4–80.3	62.4	83.3	69.4	75.5	75.5
2016	75.7	70.4–82.5	66.7	84.2	71.5	81.7	75.3
2015	74.5	69.2–81.4	67.1	84.9	65.1	80.9	75.7
2014	75.0	69.7–81.6	67.3	83.3	67.2	81.9	75.9
2013	74.0	68.1–80.7	65.7	82.0	66.4	80.3	76.2
2012	73.6	68.2–79.9	66.4	84.7	60.5	81.9	76.1
2011	73.4	68.0–79.9	67.2	84.0	59.4	80.8	77.2
2010	72.9	67.2–79.2	67.4	83.9	57.3	80.8	76.8
2009	73.7	68.4–80.5	69.1	85.3	56.7	82.3	77.2
2008	75.2	70.1–81.5	71.1	87.3	56.0	86.4	77.7
2007	75.1	69.9–81.3	70.5	87.4	56.0	86.6	77.5
2006	75.3	69.9–81.4	70.6	87.1	56.0	87.0	78.1
2005	75.3	70.1–81.2	70.1	86.9	56.0	88.3	77.7
2004	75.7	70.5–81.6	72.1	86.9	56.0	88.4	77.7
2003	75.7	70.6–81.7	72.1	86.6	56.0	88.4	77.7
2002	75.6	70.5–81.7	72.1	86.2	56.0	88.4	77.7
2001	75.3	70.5–81.7	69.2	86.5	56.0	90.6	76.8
2000	76.2	71.3–82.4	71.7	87.0	56.0	90.1	79.0
1999	76.1	71.2–82.3	71.6	86.6	56.0	90.1	79.0
1998	76.2	71.2–82.0	70.7	86.6	56.0	91.7	79.0
1997	77.0	72.4–83.0	71.2	85.9	57.3	92.7	80.3
1996	76.2	71.3–82.3	69.8	85.9	57.3	89.8	80.8
1995	76.1	71.1–82.1	69.1	85.9	57.3	89.8	80.8
1994	76.0	71.3–82.4	69.2	85.9	57.3	89.8	80.4
1993	76.0	71.1–82.3	69.3	85.9	57.3	89.8	80.4
1992	76.5	71.8–82.5	69.8	85.9	57.3	91.8	80.4
1991	74.3	69.3–80.3	62.2	81.2	57.3	91.8	82.0
1990	72.6	67.6–78.9	57.2	77.3	57.3	91.8	82.8
1989	25.7	19.2–30.3	18.2	15.0	24.7	7.9	84.6
1988	25.7	19.0–30.0	18.1	14.6	25.1	7.9	84.6
1987	25.8	19.1–30.1	18.1	14.6	25.5	7.9	84.6
1986	25.9	19.1–30.1	18.1	14.6	25.9	7.9	84.6
1985	25.9	19.2–30.2	18.0	14.6	26.3	7.9	84.6
1984	26.2	19.5–30.4	18.0	14.6	26.7	7.9	86.3
1983	26.2	19.6–30.4	17.8	14.6	27.1	7.9	86.3
1982	26.3	19.6–30.5	17.8	14.6	27.5	7.9	86.3
1981	26.3	19.7–30.5	17.7	14.6	27.9	7.9	86.3
1980	26.4	19.7–30.6	17.6	14.6	28.3	7.9	86.3
1979	26.5	20.1–30.9	17.6	14.6	28.7	7.9	86.3
1978	26.5	20.1–31.0	17.6	14.6	29.1	7.9	86.3
1977	26.6	20.2–31.0	17.6	14.6	29.5	7.9	86.3
1976	26.7	20.3–31.1	17.6	14.6	29.9	7.9	86.3
1975	26.8	20.3–31.1	17.7	14.6	30.3	7.9	86.3
1974	26.7	20.3–31.1	17.6	14.6	30.3	7.9	86.3
1973	26.7	20.3–31.1	17.6	14.6	30.3	7.9	86.3
1972	26.5	19.9–30.9	17.6	14.6	29.1	7.9	86.3
1971	25.8	19.5–29.9	17.6	14.6	29.1	6.1	86.3
1970	24.7	18.5–28.9	17.6	14.6	23.1	6.1	86.3
1969	24.6	18.2–28.6	17.6	14.1	23.1	6.1	86.3
1968	24.6	18.2–28.6	17.6	14.1	23.1	6.1	86.3
1967	24.6	18.2–28.6	17.6	14.1	23.1	6.1	86.3
1966	24.6	18.3–28.7	17.6	14.1	23.1	6.1	86.3
1965	24.6	18.3–28.7	17.5	14.1	23.1	6.1	86.3
1964	24.6	18.4–28.8	17.5	14.0	23.5	6.1	86.3
1963	24.7	18.5–28.8	17.5	14.0	23.9	6.1	86.3
1962	24.8	18.5–28.9	17.5	14.0	24.3	6.1	86.3
1961	24.8	18.4–28.8	17.1	14.0	24.7	6.1	86.3
1960	24.9	18.6–28.9	17.1	14.4	25.1	6.1	86.3
1959	24.8	18.5–28.8	17.0	14.0	25.5	6.1	85.7
1958	24.9	18.5–28.9	17.0	14.0	25.9	6.1	85.7
1957	25.1	18.7–29.1	17.6	14.0	26.3	6.1	85.7
1956	25.3	19.4–29.4	17.3	14.0	29.1	5.6	85.7
1955	25.4	19.4–29.4	17.2	14.1	29.5	5.6	85.7
1954	25.5	19.6–29.7	17.2	14.5	29.9	5.6	85.7
1953	25.3	19.5–29.5	16.6	14.5	30.3	5.6	84.8
1952	25.3	19.3–29.3	16.3	14.2	30.7	5.6	84.8
1951	25.3	19.4–29.4	16.3	14.2	31.1	5.6	84.8
1950	27.9	21.8–32.6	16.5	14.2	32.0	12.1	84.8
1949	28.0	21.8–32.5	16.8	14.3	32.0	12.1	84.8
1948	28.2	22.2–32.8	16.2	15.8	32.1	12.1	84.8
1947	27.4	21.2–32.1	12.6	15.3	32.1	13.6	83.5
1946	29.8	23.2–35.6	13.3	18.8	34.7	21.8	74.8
1945	25.3	19.2–30.7	7.4	13.9	31.3	21.8	69.9
1944	35.8	28.6–42.7	15.0	37.7	34.4	45.3	54.0
1943	36.9	29.5–43.8	13.8	46.2	34.2	45.5	53.9
1942	36.3	28.9–43.0	12.0	46.2	34.2	45.5	53.9
1941	36.5	29.0–43.1	12.0	46.8	34.2	45.5	54.8
1940	36.5	29.4–43.6	12.5	44.9	34.2	46.3	54.8
1939	34.3	27.3–41.0	11.1	35.5	34.2	46.3	54.8
1938	35.4	28.2–42.1	11.8	41.2	34.2	45.2	54.7
1937	32.0	25.1–38.2	9.3	30.0	33.4	45.2	53.8
1936	31.8	25.3–38.2	9.3	30.0	33.4	45.2	53.0
1935	31.7	25.1–38.0	9.3	30.0	33.4	44.6	53.0
1934	38.2	31.9–44.8	12.7	34.0	41.7	61.5	53.0
1933	46.3	39.7–53.2	19.3	55.8	42.1	68.7	55.3
1932	46.7	40.2–53.9	19.3	55.7	43.7	68.7	56.0
1931	45.8	39.0–52.9	19.1	55.7	43.7	63.7	55.8
1930	44.4	37.5–51.6	18.1	55.0	43.7	58.4	55.7
1929	43.8	36.7–50.8	17.9	53.5	43.7	58.4	54.3
1928	43.8	36.7–50.8	17.9	53.5	43.7	58.4	54.3
1927	43.8	36.9–50.9	17.7	53.5	43.7	58.4	54.3
1926	43.7	36.7–50.7	17.4	53.5	43.7	58.4	54.3
1925	39.8	32.4–46.7	17.0	51.1	43.7	40.0	54.3
1924	38.5	31.4–45.4	17.2	43.9	43.7	40.0	54.3
1923	40.4	33.8–47.4	16.8	40.3	43.7	50.5	58.8
1922	46.3	39.5–53.4	21.0	51.6	47.0	60.6	58.6
1921	45.5	39.0–52.7	21.0	51.6	43.7	60.6	57.9
1920	45.8	39.4–53.1	21.2	51.6	43.7	62.0	57.9
1919	45.3	38.3–52.4	20.7	52.3	43.7	59.5	57.4
1918	43.3	36.4–50.3	20.2	52.3	43.1	52.4	54.7
1917	43.5	36.4–50.3	20.0	53.8	43.1	52.4	54.7
1916	43.5	36.4–50.3	20.0	53.8	43.1	52.4	54.7
1915	43.4	36.5–50.4	20.2	53.8	43.1	51.9	54.7
1914	43.5	36.5–50.3	20.3	53.8	43.1	51.9	54.7
1913	45.0	37.9–51.9	21.4	53.8	43.1	58.7	54.7
1912	46.0	39.1–52.7	22.1	53.8	43.8	62.2	54.7
1911	47.1	40.0–53.6	22.7	54.1	43.8	66.6	55.6
1910	47.1	40.3–53.8	22.7	54.1	43.8	66.6	55.6
1909	47.1	40.3–53.8	22.7	54.1	43.8	66.6	55.6
1908	46.3	39.6–53.0	22.0	53.4	43.8	63.9	55.6
1907	44.1	37.1–50.9	21.2	53.4	43.8	52.9	55.3
1906	44.1	37.1–50.9	21.2	53.4	43.8	52.9	55.3
1905	44.1	37.1–50.9	21.1	53.4	43.8	52.9	55.3
1904	44.1	37.1–50.9	21.1	53.4	43.8	52.9	55.3
1903	47.0	40.5–53.6	21.8	53.4	43.3	68.9	55.4
1902	47.2	40.6–53.7	21.9	53.4	43.3	70.2	55.5
1901	47.1	40.4–53.6	21.8	53.0	43.3	70.2	55.5
1900	46.8	39.9–52.8	20.4	53.3	43.3	70.4	55.5

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Bulgaria 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

#48Montenegro71.1 #49Moldova70.8 #51Cape Verde70.4 #52Senegal70.4

All rankings

How democratic isBulgaria?

Bulgaria, 1975–2025

Election disputes and judicial appointments remained unresolved

Elections

Political equality

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.

Bulgaria score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Bulgaria?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.