2025 country profile

How democratic is
Canada?

Canada scores 76.5 out of 100 and ranks 36 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

76.5out of 100Substantial but incomplete

2025 rank36 of 179

10-year change−3.5

25-year change−6.1

Source-bound range71.2–82.5

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

Canada, 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 new reconciliation body added an accountability mechanism

Parliament passed a law creating a permanent National Council for Reconciliation to monitor action on recommendations addressing historical abuses against Indigenous people. The democratic mechanism is independent scrutiny of the state’s commitments to an excluded population. Creating a body is a concrete step, but does not by itself demonstrate effective implementation or equal political influence.

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 Canada fell 3.5 points, from 80.0 to 76.5 between 2015 and 2025. 2 of the five areas improved while 3 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. Political equality contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation. The latest year moved in the opposite direction (+0.6), so the longer trend is not the whole story.

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 less favorably.

Area score: 81.0 → 69.7
Approx. contribution to overall change: −2.3 points

Moving in the other direction

Elections

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

Area score: 80.7 → 84.0
Approx. contribution to overall change: +0.6 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.

2015–2016+1.6 points
The overall score rose from 80.0 to 81.6. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2019–2020−1.4 points
The overall score fell from 81.8 to 80.4. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2021–2022−2.8 points
The overall score fell from 79.2 to 76.4. Political equality supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 82.2 in 2018. 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	81.0	69.7	−11.3	−2.3
Public reasoning	85.2	79.0	−6.2	−1.2
Rights and checks	92.3	87.2	−5.1	−1.0
Elections	80.7	84.0	+3.3	+0.6
Participation	62.4	64.1	+1.7	+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?

84.0

Rights and checks on power

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

87.2

Public participation

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

64.1

Public reasoning

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

79.0

Political equality

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

69.7

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

Canada score table

Download Canada CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	76.5	71.2–82.5	84.0	87.2	64.1	79.0	69.7
2024	75.9	70.9–82.2	84.1	88.3	63.2	75.1	70.3
2023	75.9	70.8–82.3	84.7	87.3	63.2	75.1	70.3
2022	76.4	71.3–82.8	84.8	87.6	63.2	76.2	71.7
2021	79.2	74.4–84.8	84.3	89.1	63.2	77.3	83.3
2020	80.4	76.1–85.9	84.9	87.6	63.2	84.0	83.8
2019	81.8	78.1–86.9	85.0	89.9	63.2	89.5	83.0
2018	82.2	78.5–86.9	84.0	91.8	63.2	89.5	84.3
2017	82.1	78.6–87.0	83.9	92.5	62.5	89.5	83.8
2016	81.6	78.0–86.7	83.4	92.0	62.7	89.6	82.2
2015	80.0	76.1–85.4	80.7	92.3	62.4	85.2	81.0
2014	79.9	75.7–85.3	81.4	92.4	60.9	85.2	81.6
2013	79.9	75.7–85.4	81.7	92.2	60.9	85.2	81.6
2012	80.3	76.5–86.0	81.0	92.6	62.0	85.1	82.4
2011	80.3	76.4–85.8	81.1	92.4	62.0	85.1	82.4
2010	80.5	76.4–85.8	82.6	92.7	62.0	83.8	83.4
2009	80.7	76.7–86.1	82.6	92.3	62.0	84.7	83.9
2008	80.8	76.6–86.0	82.7	92.3	62.0	84.7	83.9
2007	80.9	76.6–86.0	83.2	92.3	62.0	84.7	83.9
2006	81.5	77.9–86.6	83.0	92.3	62.0	88.1	84.1
2005	81.9	78.4–86.6	82.4	92.0	62.7	90.3	84.1
2004	82.0	78.5–86.7	82.5	92.0	62.7	90.3	84.5
2003	82.0	78.4–86.7	82.5	91.2	63.2	90.5	84.5
2002	82.1	78.5–86.8	82.5	91.2	63.7	90.5	84.5
2001	82.4	78.9–87.3	83.2	91.2	64.2	90.5	84.5
2000	82.6	79.1–87.5	83.6	91.2	64.7	90.5	84.5
1999	82.8	79.4–87.8	83.6	91.2	65.4	91.0	84.5
1998	83.0	79.5–87.9	83.6	91.2	65.9	91.0	84.5
1997	83.1	79.6–87.9	84.0	91.2	66.4	91.0	84.2
1996	83.3	79.8–88.1	84.6	91.1	67.1	90.6	84.4
1995	83.2	79.7–88.0	84.2	91.1	67.1	90.6	84.4
1994	83.2	79.7–88.0	84.2	91.1	67.1	90.6	84.4
1993	83.0	79.5–87.9	83.2	91.1	67.1	90.6	84.2
1992	83.0	79.7–88.0	83.1	91.1	67.4	90.6	84.2
1991	82.0	78.6–86.9	83.3	91.1	62.9	90.6	84.1
1990	82.0	78.6–86.9	83.3	91.1	62.9	90.6	84.1
1989	81.9	78.3–86.8	83.3	90.1	62.9	90.6	84.1
1988	82.1	78.7–87.1	83.5	91.4	62.9	90.5	84.1
1987	82.1	78.8–87.1	83.5	91.4	62.9	90.5	84.1
1986	82.1	78.8–87.1	83.5	91.4	62.9	90.5	84.1
1985	82.2	78.8–87.1	83.5	91.4	62.9	90.5	84.3
1984	82.5	79.2–87.2	83.4	91.4	62.9	92.6	83.9
1983	82.3	79.2–87.3	82.8	91.4	62.9	92.7	83.7
1982	82.1	78.8–87.0	82.8	90.9	62.9	92.7	83.3
1981	81.5	78.1–86.7	82.9	90.9	62.8	90.7	81.9
1980	81.5	78.2–86.8	82.9	91.1	62.8	90.7	81.9
1979	81.1	77.1–86.0	82.8	90.9	62.8	90.2	80.4
1978	80.7	76.6–85.8	82.3	90.9	62.8	88.5	80.4
1977	80.7	76.6–85.8	82.3	90.9	62.8	88.5	80.4
1976	80.6	76.6–85.7	82.3	90.9	62.8	87.1	81.5
1975	80.6	76.4–85.6	82.3	90.7	62.8	87.1	81.5
1974	80.8	76.9–85.9	82.3	90.7	63.3	87.1	82.2
1973	81.0	77.0–86.1	83.2	90.7	63.3	87.1	82.2
1972	80.9	76.7–85.8	82.8	90.7	63.2	87.1	82.2
1971	80.8	76.6–85.8	82.7	90.7	63.0	87.1	82.2
1970	80.4	76.3–85.7	82.0	90.6	63.3	85.1	82.2
1969	80.9	77.1–86.0	81.2	90.4	63.3	89.6	81.5
1968	80.9	77.1–86.0	81.4	90.4	63.3	89.6	81.5
1967	81.1	77.2–86.1	81.7	90.8	63.3	89.6	81.6
1966	80.8	76.7–85.6	81.7	90.8	63.3	89.6	80.2
1965	79.8	76.0–85.3	81.6	90.6	63.3	89.6	75.7
1964	79.7	75.9–85.0	81.6	90.3	63.4	89.6	75.1
1963	79.7	75.9–85.0	81.6	90.3	63.4	89.6	75.1
1962	79.2	75.3–84.6	81.0	89.9	63.4	89.6	73.8
1961	78.9	74.7–84.2	80.0	89.9	63.4	89.6	73.1
1960	77.3	72.7–82.9	77.6	89.7	63.4	86.8	70.7
1959	76.1	71.7–82.2	75.4	89.0	62.9	85.8	68.9
1958	76.2	71.9–82.3	75.4	89.5	62.9	85.8	68.9
1957	75.5	70.9–81.7	75.4	88.9	62.9	85.8	66.4
1956	75.9	71.4–82.1	75.4	88.9	62.9	85.8	68.3
1955	75.9	71.4–82.1	75.4	88.9	62.9	85.8	68.3
1954	75.9	71.4–82.1	75.4	88.9	62.9	85.8	68.3
1953	75.8	71.2–81.9	74.8	88.9	62.9	85.8	68.3
1952	75.7	71.2–81.8	74.4	88.9	62.9	85.8	68.3
1951	75.7	71.2–81.8	74.4	88.9	62.9	85.8	68.3
1950	75.2	70.5–81.3	74.4	88.9	62.9	85.8	65.6
1949	74.6	69.7–80.5	71.6	88.8	62.9	85.8	65.6
1948	74.1	69.1–80.1	71.1	86.9	62.9	85.8	65.6
1947	74.1	69.2–80.1	71.1	86.9	62.9	85.8	65.6
1946	73.6	68.4–79.6	71.1	86.9	62.9	83.5	65.2
1945	70.6	64.8–76.9	65.2	86.1	62.2	76.6	64.3
1944	70.2	64.4–76.8	65.2	83.7	62.2	76.6	64.3
1943	70.2	64.3–76.8	65.5	83.7	62.2	76.6	64.3
1942	70.7	65.1–77.5	65.5	83.7	65.5	76.4	63.6
1941	70.0	64.4–76.8	65.5	83.7	62.2	76.4	63.6
1940	69.1	63.7–76.3	66.2	83.6	61.3	76.4	59.5
1939	69.6	63.9–76.8	68.1	83.6	61.3	78.8	57.9
1938	70.2	64.8–77.2	69.4	83.8	61.3	81.4	57.2
1937	70.3	65.0–77.1	67.7	83.8	61.3	83.5	57.2
1936	70.3	65.0–77.1	67.7	83.8	61.3	83.5	57.2
1935	70.0	64.7–76.7	66.2	83.8	61.3	84.7	56.6
1934	69.8	64.4–76.4	65.1	83.8	61.3	84.7	56.6
1933	69.5	63.6–75.7	65.1	83.0	61.3	84.7	55.6
1932	69.2	63.4–75.6	65.1	83.0	61.3	83.4	55.6
1931	69.2	63.4–75.6	65.1	83.0	61.3	83.4	55.6
1930	69.5	63.9–76.1	66.3	83.6	61.4	83.4	55.1
1929	69.7	64.2–76.6	67.1	84.1	61.4	83.4	55.1
1928	69.7	64.0–76.4	66.7	84.1	61.4	83.4	55.1
1927	69.7	64.0–76.4	66.7	84.1	61.4	83.4	55.1
1926	69.3	63.5–76.1	66.7	84.1	61.4	83.4	53.7
1925	69.1	63.5–76.1	66.7	84.1	60.6	83.4	53.4
1924	69.0	63.5–76.0	65.4	84.1	61.5	83.4	53.4
1923	68.4	62.5–75.1	65.4	84.1	61.5	82.5	51.2
1922	68.4	62.5–75.1	65.4	84.1	61.5	82.5	51.2
1921	66.8	61.0–74.0	58.7	83.5	61.5	79.2	53.8
1920	64.0	58.7–70.6	46.3	83.2	61.5	79.3	53.8
1919	61.7	55.6–68.6	44.2	83.2	58.1	73.2	53.9
1918	59.6	53.0–66.1	43.1	83.0	58.1	70.6	47.4
1917	60.3	53.8–67.0	46.5	83.1	57.8	70.7	47.4
1916	59.5	53.3–66.4	46.6	83.1	57.8	70.7	43.6
1915	59.4	53.3–66.5	46.6	83.1	57.3	70.7	43.6
1914	60.7	54.9–67.6	47.2	83.1	57.3	77.2	43.6
1913	61.0	55.2–68.0	48.1	83.2	57.3	77.6	43.6
1912	61.0	55.2–68.0	48.1	83.2	57.3	77.6	43.6
1911	61.0	55.1–68.0	48.2	83.2	57.3	77.6	43.6
1910	61.0	55.2–68.0	48.2	83.3	57.3	77.6	43.6
1909	61.0	55.2–68.0	48.2	83.3	57.3	77.6	43.6
1908	61.0	55.2–67.9	47.9	83.3	57.3	78.1	43.6
1907	61.1	55.1–67.7	47.9	83.1	57.6	78.1	43.6
1906	61.1	55.1–67.7	47.9	83.1	57.6	78.1	43.6
1905	61.1	55.1–67.7	47.9	83.1	57.6	78.1	43.6
1904	61.1	55.1–67.7	48.1	83.1	57.6	78.1	43.6
1903	61.1	55.1–67.7	48.1	83.1	57.6	78.1	43.6
1902	61.1	55.1–67.7	48.1	83.1	57.6	78.1	43.6
1901	61.1	55.1–67.7	48.1	83.1	57.6	77.9	43.6
1900	60.7	54.7–67.6	47.1	83.1	57.6	76.9	43.6

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Canada 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

#34Cyprus76.9 #35Brazil76.8 #37Portugal75.6 #38Greece75.4

All rankings

How democratic isCanada?

Canada, 1975–2025

A new reconciliation body added an accountability mechanism

Political equality

Elections

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.

Canada score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Canada?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.