2025 country profile

How democratic is
Chad?

Chad scores 23.2 out of 100 and ranks 159 of 179 in our independent 2025 democracy measure. Its lowest-scoring test is rights and checks on power. 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

23.2out of 100Far from the standard

2025 rank159 of 179

10-year change−1.1

25-year change−2.7

Source-bound range15.9–28.4

Weakest areaRights & checks

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

SCORE HISTORY

Chad, 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

An election consolidated the post-coup leadership

The presidential election confirmed the leader installed after the 2021 military takeover. The main challenger alleged fraud, and the Constitutional Council upheld the result. An election after a coup is not enough to establish democratic transition: meaningful competition, independent review, and freedom from intimidation remain separate tests.

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 Chad fell 1.1 points, from 24.3 to 23.2 between 2015 and 2025. 2 of the five areas improved while 3 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. Rights and checks contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation. The latest year moved in the opposite direction (+0.7), so the longer trend is not the whole story.

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: 18.3 → 11.4
Approx. contribution to overall change: −1.8 points

Moving in the other direction

Participation

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

Area score: 28.2 → 33.7
Approx. contribution to overall change: +1.0 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.

2020–2021−2.7 points
The overall score fell from 25.4 to 22.7. Elections supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2021–2022−2.2 points
The overall score fell from 22.7 to 20.5. Participation supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2022–2023+1.8 points
The overall score rose from 20.5 to 22.3. Participation supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 25.5 in 2019. 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	18.3	11.4	−6.9	−1.8
Participation	28.2	33.7	+5.5	+1.0
Public reasoning	27.5	32.2	+4.7	+0.8
Elections	27.9	24.2	−3.7	−0.7
Political equality	20.6	18.5	−2.1	−0.5

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?

24.2

Rights and checks on power

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

11.4

Public participation

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

33.7

Public reasoning

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

32.2

Political equality

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

18.5

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

Chad score table

Download Chad CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	23.2	15.9–28.4	24.2	11.4	33.7	32.2	18.5
2024	22.5	15.8–27.9	20.2	11.6	33.9	32.2	18.5
2023	22.3	15.7–27.5	14.8	14.0	34.2	32.1	20.4
2022	20.5	14.0–25.5	14.5	10.8	28.5	32.1	20.4
2021	22.7	16.4–28.3	17.7	13.1	34.2	32.0	20.4
2020	25.4	18.4–31.5	26.8	18.0	30.4	32.0	21.3
2019	25.5	18.6–31.6	27.0	17.8	30.7	32.0	21.4
2018	24.8	18.2–31.0	26.7	15.3	30.9	32.0	21.3
2017	24.5	17.4–30.0	26.5	17.2	31.2	27.3	21.4
2016	24.3	17.4–30.1	28.0	18.3	27.9	27.5	20.6
2015	24.3	17.3–30.1	27.9	18.3	28.2	27.5	20.6
2014	24.3	17.4–30.1	27.4	18.5	28.8	27.5	20.3
2013	24.5	17.4–30.0	27.7	18.8	29.5	27.5	20.1
2012	25.1	18.1–30.9	28.0	20.7	30.2	25.1	22.3
2011	25.3	18.4–31.1	28.1	20.7	30.9	25.1	22.3
2010	25.4	18.7–31.3	27.9	20.7	31.5	25.1	22.3
2009	25.2	18.5–31.1	27.8	19.9	32.2	23.5	23.6
2008	25.1	18.3–30.8	27.7	19.2	32.6	23.5	23.3
2007	25.8	19.0–31.6	27.4	19.4	33.0	26.7	23.3
2006	26.0	19.2–31.8	27.7	19.6	33.4	26.8	23.3
2005	26.0	19.3–32.0	27.4	19.8	33.8	26.8	23.3
2004	25.4	18.6–31.4	27.8	19.8	30.2	26.8	23.3
2003	25.4	18.7–31.4	27.3	19.8	30.6	26.8	23.3
2002	25.5	18.7–31.5	27.3	19.8	31.0	26.8	23.3
2001	25.6	18.8–31.6	27.6	19.8	31.4	26.8	23.3
2000	25.9	19.1–31.9	27.9	19.8	31.8	26.8	23.9
1999	25.4	18.4–31.4	27.9	19.8	31.5	26.8	22.0
1998	25.4	18.4–31.4	27.9	19.8	31.5	26.8	22.0
1997	25.4	18.4–31.3	27.8	19.8	31.5	26.8	22.0
1996	24.3	17.4–30.0	22.1	19.8	31.5	26.8	22.0
1995	23.3	16.8–28.9	17.3	21.8	30.7	25.7	22.0
1994	23.0	16.2–28.4	17.3	21.8	31.1	23.8	22.0
1993	22.5	15.8–27.9	17.3	19.1	31.5	23.8	22.0
1992	21.6	15.1–26.7	17.3	15.0	31.5	23.8	22.0
1991	20.4	14.2–25.6	16.8	15.0	31.5	18.6	21.7
1990	14.6	9.2–18.4	12.5	12.7	24.8	6.8	19.4
1989	12.5	7.7–15.7	8.0	11.2	22.8	3.1	24.8
1988	11.4	6.8–14.7	8.0	11.2	16.2	3.1	24.8
1987	11.4	6.8–14.7	8.0	11.2	16.2	3.1	24.8
1986	11.4	6.8–14.7	8.0	11.2	16.2	3.1	24.8
1985	11.4	6.5–14.5	8.0	11.2	16.2	3.1	24.3
1984	11.4	6.5–14.5	8.0	11.2	16.2	3.1	24.3
1983	11.5	6.5–14.6	8.0	11.2	16.2	3.1	24.9
1982	11.2	6.5–14.4	8.0	9.5	16.2	3.1	25.3
1981	12.4	7.7–16.0	9.0	8.7	16.2	6.3	26.2
1980	12.6	7.7–16.2	9.0	9.4	16.2	6.3	26.4
1979	14.2	8.9–18.1	9.1	16.6	16.2	6.3	27.3
1978	14.7	9.0–18.5	9.1	17.4	16.2	7.4	27.3
1977	14.7	9.0–18.5	9.1	17.4	16.2	7.4	27.3
1976	14.7	9.0–18.5	9.1	17.4	16.2	7.4	27.3
1975	15.7	9.7–19.6	11.8	19.8	16.2	6.1	29.7
1974	19.9	13.4–24.8	18.7	24.1	16.2	12.7	30.3
1973	19.9	13.5–24.9	18.7	24.1	16.1	12.7	30.3
1972	19.9	13.4–24.8	18.6	24.1	16.2	12.7	30.3
1971	21.8	14.9–27.0	19.2	24.1	16.6	19.9	30.7
1970	21.8	14.9–27.0	19.2	24.1	16.6	19.9	30.7
1969	21.9	14.8–27.0	19.1	24.7	16.6	19.9	30.5
1968	22.5	15.7–28.2	19.1	24.7	16.6	22.6	31.0
1967	22.4	15.5–27.7	19.2	24.7	16.6	22.4	30.5
1966	22.7	15.7–28.0	19.2	26.0	16.6	22.4	30.5
1965	22.9	16.1–28.5	19.2	27.0	16.6	22.4	30.5
1964	23.0	16.2–28.5	19.2	28.0	16.6	22.4	30.5
1963	23.0	16.2–28.5	19.2	28.0	16.6	22.4	30.5
1962	21.9	15.0–27.2	20.7	28.0	10.9	22.4	30.5
1961	23.1	15.9–28.7	25.7	28.0	11.9	22.4	30.5
1960	22.4	14.9–27.8	21.3	28.0	11.9	23.0	30.5
1959	16.8	10.2–21.8	26.9	21.4	6.8	9.7	24.9
1958	16.4	10.0–21.3	26.9	19.2	6.8	9.7	24.9
1957	16.0	9.5–20.6	24.2	19.1	6.8	9.7	24.9
1956	14.2	8.0–18.7	14.4	19.1	6.8	9.7	24.9
1955	14.2	8.0–18.7	14.4	19.1	6.8	9.7	24.9
1954	14.2	8.0–18.7	14.4	19.1	6.8	9.7	24.9
1953	14.2	8.0–18.7	14.4	19.1	6.8	9.7	24.9
1952	14.2	8.0–18.7	14.4	19.1	6.8	9.7	24.9
1951	14.2	8.2–18.8	13.8	19.7	6.8	9.7	24.9
1950	14.2	8.2–18.8	13.8	19.7	6.8	9.7	24.9
1949	14.1	8.1–18.6	13.1	19.7	6.8	9.7	24.9
1948	14.1	8.1–18.6	13.1	19.7	6.8	9.7	24.9
1947	14.1	8.0–18.6	13.1	19.7	6.8	9.7	24.9
1946	10.3	5.4–13.8	4.6	9.6	6.8	9.7	25.0
1945	9.7	4.9–13.0	2.9	9.6	6.8	9.7	25.0
1944	8.4	4.0–11.3	1.6	9.6	5.3	8.0	25.0
1943	8.3	4.0–11.1	1.6	9.6	5.3	7.5	25.0
1942	8.0	3.8–10.8	1.1	9.6	5.3	7.5	25.0
1941	7.5	3.6–10.1	1.1	9.6	5.3	4.7	25.0
1940	7.5	3.6–10.1	1.1	9.6	5.3	4.7	25.0
1939	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1938	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1937	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1936	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1935	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1934	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1933	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1932	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1931	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1930	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1929	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1928	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1927	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1926	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1925	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1924	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1923	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1922	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1921	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0
1920	7.6	3.6–10.2	1.1	9.6	6.0	4.7	25.0

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Chad Democracy Score, 1920–2025,” Democracys Standard v1.0 beta; derived from Coppedge et al. (2026), V-Dem Country-Year Dataset v16.

Open source DOI

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