2025 country profile

How democratic is
Egypt?

Egypt scores 27.5 out of 100 and ranks 149 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

27.5out of 100Far from the standard

2025 rank149 of 179

10-year change+5.0

25-year change−2.0

Source-bound range20.2–33.1

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

Egypt, 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 prominent electoral challenger received a prison sentence

Ahmed Tantawi was sentenced in a case concerning election documents after attempting to challenge the president. Freedom House treats the case as evidence of limited genuine competition. The broader question is whether opposition candidates can organize and contest office without politically restrictive legal barriers.

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 Egypt rose 5.0 points, from 22.5 to 27.5 between 2015 and 2025. All five areas improved. Participation contributed the largest upward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Participation

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

Area score: 14.1 → 20.7
Approx. contribution to overall change: +1.6 points

Another important influence

Political equality

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

Area score: 24.0 → 30.9
Approx. contribution to overall change: +1.3 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+2.2 points
The overall score rose from 22.5 to 24.7. Rights and checks supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2018–2019+1.8 points
The overall score rose from 24.4 to 26.2. Participation supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2019–2020+0.6 points
The overall score rose from 26.2 to 26.8. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 27.5 in 2025. 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
Participation	14.1	20.7	+6.6	+1.6
Political equality	24.0	30.9	+6.9	+1.3
Rights and checks	29.0	34.0	+5.0	+0.9
Elections	15.6	18.7	+3.1	+0.8
Public reasoning	32.9	35.6	+2.7	+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?

18.7

Rights and checks on power

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

34.0

Public participation

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

20.7

Public reasoning

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

35.6

Political equality

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

30.9

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

Egypt score table

Download Egypt CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	27.5	20.2–33.1	18.7	34.0	20.7	35.6	30.9
2024	27.2	20.5–33.0	18.6	36.8	21.3	30.3	31.3
2023	27.0	20.1–32.3	18.7	37.1	21.6	27.9	31.8
2022	26.7	19.8–31.9	18.3	37.2	22.0	27.9	30.3
2021	26.4	19.8–31.8	18.0	35.0	19.5	32.2	29.7
2020	26.8	20.4–32.0	17.6	35.9	19.8	31.8	31.6
2019	26.2	19.7–31.7	17.4	35.6	20.5	27.8	31.8
2018	24.4	18.4–30.1	17.6	33.8	15.8	27.8	29.7
2017	24.2	17.7–29.1	17.8	34.2	15.8	28.5	27.5
2016	24.7	18.6–29.7	17.8	37.0	13.9	32.7	26.3
2015	22.5	16.8–27.4	15.6	29.0	14.1	32.9	24.0
2014	23.7	17.8–28.6	13.7	27.3	14.8	43.1	24.9
2013	27.3	21.3–32.8	18.7	27.6	19.3	52.2	24.1
2012	37.0	30.1–43.0	29.8	37.5	24.2	72.1	28.8
2011	34.8	29.3–40.7	20.4	34.8	25.0	77.9	26.9
2010	28.6	22.1–34.3	21.2	44.6	19.1	39.1	23.5
2009	28.7	21.7–34.1	21.1	44.6	19.5	39.1	23.6
2008	29.6	22.6–35.2	21.2	44.6	20.6	42.2	23.6
2007	30.0	23.7–36.4	21.2	44.6	21.0	44.4	23.5
2006	29.9	23.2–35.7	21.2	44.7	21.4	43.3	23.5
2005	29.7	23.1–35.3	21.0	44.7	22.1	41.6	23.2
2004	28.8	22.1–34.4	20.8	44.7	18.5	41.6	23.2
2003	29.0	22.4–34.6	20.9	44.7	18.9	41.6	23.5
2002	29.0	22.4–34.6	20.9	44.7	18.9	41.6	23.5
2001	28.8	22.2–34.3	20.9	44.7	18.3	41.6	23.5
2000	29.5	22.4–35.2	21.7	44.6	18.3	41.6	25.8
1999	30.7	24.2–37.4	21.5	45.4	18.0	45.0	28.7
1998	31.1	24.1–37.6	21.5	45.4	17.9	47.6	28.7
1997	31.6	24.5–38.3	21.3	45.7	20.1	47.6	28.7
1996	32.3	25.0–39.0	21.5	45.7	20.4	47.6	31.5
1995	32.4	25.1–39.1	21.7	45.7	20.6	47.6	31.6
1994	32.4	25.2–39.2	21.7	45.1	20.9	47.6	31.6
1993	32.7	25.4–39.3	21.6	46.2	21.2	47.6	31.6
1992	32.6	25.3–39.2	21.2	46.2	21.4	47.6	31.6
1991	32.7	25.3–39.3	21.2	46.2	21.7	47.6	31.6
1990	33.0	25.7–39.8	22.3	46.2	21.9	47.6	31.6
1989	33.8	26.6–40.3	22.4	49.9	21.7	48.3	32.1
1988	33.9	26.6–40.2	22.3	49.9	22.0	48.3	32.1
1987	33.9	26.6–40.2	22.0	49.9	22.3	48.3	32.1
1986	33.9	26.7–40.3	21.9	50.8	22.1	48.3	32.1
1985	34.1	26.5–40.1	21.4	50.3	22.8	48.3	33.1
1984	34.2	26.6–40.3	21.5	50.3	23.0	48.3	33.1
1983	34.0	26.6–40.3	21.7	49.8	22.3	48.3	33.1
1982	34.0	26.7–40.4	21.7	50.2	22.3	48.3	33.1
1981	32.9	25.7–39.1	19.1	50.0	21.2	47.4	33.1
1980	29.4	22.6–35.1	18.1	36.4	21.2	43.3	31.9
1979	32.8	25.6–39.3	20.2	48.0	21.2	48.5	32.0
1978	33.0	25.6–39.5	20.7	48.0	21.2	48.5	32.0
1977	33.0	25.7–39.5	20.7	48.2	21.2	48.5	32.0
1976	32.8	25.7–39.3	20.7	48.6	20.3	48.5	32.0
1975	33.2	26.0–39.5	19.6	48.6	20.2	48.5	35.5
1974	33.5	26.2–39.7	19.6	48.6	20.2	48.5	37.0
1973	32.0	24.7–38.2	19.6	49.0	20.2	39.7	37.0
1972	31.6	24.4–37.8	19.5	49.0	20.2	37.6	37.0
1971	31.9	24.9–38.4	20.2	48.9	20.2	37.6	37.4
1970	29.8	22.4–36.1	18.8	44.2	12.5	34.5	48.3
1969	26.9	19.7–32.9	18.0	43.1	7.6	26.8	52.7
1968	27.0	19.7–32.9	18.2	43.1	7.6	26.8	52.7
1967	27.5	20.2–33.7	18.2	43.3	7.6	29.5	52.7
1966	27.0	19.6–33.0	18.3	43.8	7.6	26.4	52.7
1965	28.3	21.2–34.2	18.3	43.8	10.9	26.4	52.7
1964	26.5	19.3–32.4	17.7	41.5	7.6	26.4	52.7
1963	24.3	17.7–29.7	14.9	32.2	7.6	26.4	52.7
1962	23.8	17.2–29.1	12.6	32.2	7.6	26.4	52.7
1961	24.9	18.0–30.4	14.8	35.4	7.6	26.4	52.7
1960	25.4	18.4–31.3	16.3	36.8	7.6	26.4	52.7
1959	24.5	17.5–30.0	15.0	33.1	7.6	26.4	52.7
1958	25.9	19.1–31.3	15.3	33.7	10.9	26.4	52.7
1957	26.3	19.1–32.1	16.8	41.6	7.6	26.4	52.7
1956	24.4	18.3–30.0	9.0	32.8	10.9	29.2	52.7
1955	21.6	15.5–26.9	5.7	32.8	7.6	27.1	51.6
1954	21.6	15.1–26.4	5.7	33.1	7.6	27.1	51.2
1953	22.8	16.6–28.2	6.6	36.1	7.6	31.2	49.2
1952	28.6	21.5–35.1	14.8	58.8	6.8	34.4	47.0
1951	28.3	21.1–34.9	17.4	61.0	8.5	44.4	25.7
1950	28.4	21.1–34.9	17.5	61.0	8.5	44.4	25.7
1949	27.8	20.2–34.1	14.9	60.6	12.4	42.4	21.7
1948	27.8	20.3–34.0	14.9	60.6	12.4	42.4	21.7
1947	27.8	20.3–34.0	14.9	60.6	12.4	42.4	21.7
1946	27.8	20.3–34.0	14.9	60.6	12.4	42.4	21.7
1945	27.8	20.2–34.0	14.8	60.6	12.4	42.4	21.7
1944	27.1	19.7–33.1	12.4	60.6	12.4	42.4	21.7
1943	27.1	19.7–33.1	12.4	60.6	12.4	42.4	21.7
1942	27.1	19.7–33.1	12.4	60.6	12.4	42.4	21.7
1941	27.1	19.7–33.1	12.4	60.6	12.4	42.4	21.7
1940	27.1	19.7–33.1	12.4	60.6	12.4	42.4	21.7
1939	27.1	19.7–33.1	12.4	60.6	12.4	42.4	21.7
1938	27.1	19.7–33.1	12.4	60.6	12.4	42.4	21.7
1937	26.7	19.3–32.6	10.9	60.6	12.4	42.4	21.7
1936	26.7	19.3–32.5	10.9	60.6	12.4	42.4	21.7
1935	25.6	18.5–31.5	8.4	60.6	12.4	42.4	20.5
1934	25.6	18.5–31.5	8.4	60.6	12.4	42.4	20.5
1933	25.6	18.5–31.5	8.4	60.6	12.4	42.4	20.5
1932	25.6	18.5–31.5	8.4	60.6	12.4	42.4	20.5
1931	25.6	18.5–31.5	8.4	60.6	12.4	42.4	20.5
1930	26.4	19.4–32.7	11.0	60.6	12.4	42.4	20.5
1929	26.6	20.0–33.1	11.3	60.3	11.2	45.6	20.5
1928	26.3	19.6–32.7	11.3	60.3	11.2	43.6	20.5
1927	26.3	19.6–32.7	11.3	60.3	11.2	43.6	20.5
1926	26.3	19.6–32.7	11.3	60.3	11.2	43.6	20.5
1925	26.3	19.6–32.6	11.3	60.3	11.0	43.6	20.5
1924	26.2	19.4–32.4	11.3	60.1	11.0	43.6	20.5
1923	24.3	17.7–30.4	8.0	54.1	11.0	43.6	20.5
1922	21.7	15.4–27.3	7.8	36.4	11.0	43.6	20.5
1921	21.7	15.4–27.3	7.8	36.4	11.0	43.6	20.5
1920	21.7	15.4–27.3	7.8	36.4	11.0	43.6	20.5
1919	20.9	14.6–26.2	7.9	36.4	11.0	37.9	20.5
1918	20.6	14.3–25.8	7.9	36.7	10.1	37.9	20.0
1917	20.6	14.4–25.9	7.9	36.9	10.1	37.9	20.0
1916	20.5	14.3–25.8	7.9	36.9	9.8	37.9	20.0
1915	20.5	14.3–25.8	7.9	36.9	9.8	37.9	20.0
1914	22.0	15.8–27.7	7.9	45.9	9.8	39.0	20.0
1913	23.3	16.6–29.1	10.2	47.5	9.8	40.5	20.4
1912	25.3	18.3–31.4	12.1	57.9	9.8	40.5	20.4
1911	25.3	18.3–31.4	12.1	57.9	9.8	40.5	20.4
1910	25.2	18.1–31.2	12.1	57.1	9.8	40.5	20.4
1909	25.4	18.3–31.4	12.1	58.7	9.8	40.5	20.4
1908	25.4	18.3–31.4	12.1	58.7	9.8	40.5	20.4
1907	25.2	18.3–31.4	12.1	57.4	9.8	40.5	20.4
1906	25.0	18.1–31.1	11.4	57.4	9.8	40.5	20.4
1905	25.0	18.1–31.1	11.4	57.4	9.8	40.5	20.4
1904	25.0	18.1–31.1	11.4	57.4	9.8	40.5	20.4
1903	25.0	18.1–31.1	11.4	57.4	9.8	40.5	20.4
1902	25.0	18.1–31.1	11.4	57.4	9.8	40.5	20.4
1901	25.0	18.1–31.1	11.4	57.4	9.8	40.5	20.4
1900	24.8	17.7–30.7	11.5	57.4	9.0	40.5	20.4

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Egypt 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

#147Laos27.9 #148Cameroon27.8 #150Syria27.4 #151Cuba26.6

All rankings

How democratic isEgypt?

Egypt, 1975–2025

A prominent electoral challenger received a prison sentence

Participation

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.

Egypt score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Egypt?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.