2025 country profile

How democratic is
Gabon?

Gabon scores 50.4 out of 100 and ranks 104 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

50.4out of 100Major democratic constraints

2025 rank104 of 179

10-year change−6.3

25-year change−1.2

Source-bound range43.8–57.9

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

Gabon, 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

Elections resumed after the coup, with limited political balance

Presidential, legislative, and local elections marked a return to electoral activity after the 2023 coup. Freedom House notes that almost all elected legislators supported the president. Resuming elections is a meaningful procedural change, but it is different from establishing a strongly competitive system with effective opposition oversight.

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 Gabon fell 6.3 points, from 56.7 to 50.4 between 2015 and 2025. 1 of the five areas improved while 4 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. Public reasoning contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation. The latest year moved in the opposite direction (+2.2), so the longer trend is not the whole story.

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: 77.0 → 57.8
Approx. contribution to overall change: −3.4 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: 59.1 → 62.0
Approx. contribution to overall change: +0.5 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.

2017–2018−2.4 points
The overall score fell from 55.5 to 53.1. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2022–2023−4.0 points
The overall score fell from 52.1 to 48.1. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2024–2025+2.2 points
The overall score rose from 48.2 to 50.4. Elections supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 57.2 in 2016. 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	77.0	57.8	−19.2	−3.4
Elections	37.5	30.2	−7.3	−1.9
Rights and checks	47.5	42.6	−4.9	−1.1
Political equality	67.0	63.9	−3.1	−0.6
Participation	59.1	62.0	+2.9	+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?

30.2

Rights and checks on power

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

42.6

Public participation

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

62.0

Public reasoning

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

57.8

Political equality

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

63.9

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

Gabon score table

Download Gabon CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	50.4	43.8–57.9	30.2	42.6	62.0	57.8	63.9
2024	48.2	42.0–55.2	22.7	42.6	62.0	57.8	63.9
2023	48.1	40.8–55.6	32.5	42.0	54.7	52.1	62.2
2022	52.1	45.1–59.5	36.2	42.4	55.6	65.4	64.1
2021	53.0	46.0–59.9	36.8	41.3	57.1	67.6	66.2
2020	53.4	46.6–60.0	36.8	40.5	58.6	67.6	67.6
2019	51.4	44.6–58.8	37.7	40.8	58.8	62.8	59.6
2018	53.1	46.2–60.5	38.6	42.9	58.6	62.7	65.8
2017	55.5	48.3–62.4	39.8	47.4	60.2	68.4	64.4
2016	57.2	51.4–64.2	37.8	47.5	60.7	77.0	67.2
2015	56.7	51.1–64.1	37.5	47.5	59.1	77.0	67.0
2014	56.7	51.1–64.1	37.5	47.5	59.1	77.0	67.0
2013	57.0	51.4–64.5	37.5	47.5	59.5	77.0	67.8
2012	58.5	52.4–64.0	35.9	45.8	59.9	92.4	65.9
2011	56.1	50.5–62.7	37.0	43.4	56.4	87.7	62.5
2010	56.2	50.6–62.8	37.0	43.4	56.8	87.7	62.5
2009	54.0	47.6–61.2	35.0	44.9	55.5	78.2	61.1
2008	52.6	46.1–60.2	35.1	44.9	55.9	70.5	60.5
2007	52.7	46.2–60.3	35.1	44.9	56.3	70.5	60.5
2006	52.4	46.0–60.2	35.3	44.9	54.5	70.5	60.5
2005	52.3	45.9–60.1	34.6	44.9	54.9	70.5	60.5
2004	52.3	46.0–60.1	34.4	44.9	55.3	70.5	60.5
2003	52.4	46.1–60.2	34.4	44.9	55.7	70.5	60.5
2002	52.4	46.1–60.2	34.4	44.9	55.7	70.5	60.5
2001	52.4	46.0–60.1	34.2	44.9	56.1	70.5	60.5
2000	51.6	44.7–59.0	33.7	44.9	55.0	70.5	57.8
1999	50.5	43.7–58.4	33.8	46.0	55.4	70.5	50.4
1998	50.5	43.7–58.4	33.8	46.0	55.4	70.5	50.4
1997	50.5	43.7–58.4	33.8	46.0	55.4	70.5	50.4
1996	50.3	43.6–58.1	32.9	46.0	55.4	70.5	50.4
1995	49.6	43.0–57.5	32.9	46.2	51.6	70.5	50.4
1994	48.4	41.8–56.3	32.9	46.2	45.6	70.5	50.4
1993	48.3	41.6–56.1	32.5	46.2	45.6	70.5	50.4
1992	48.2	41.6–56.4	32.7	46.2	45.6	69.5	50.4
1991	44.4	36.4–51.5	30.8	45.7	40.4	58.9	48.7
1990	36.2	29.1–43.3	21.8	44.1	25.1	55.8	39.5
1989	25.5	18.1–31.2	18.2	29.9	20.0	28.6	32.4
1988	25.5	18.1–31.2	18.2	29.9	20.0	28.6	32.4
1987	25.5	18.1–31.2	18.2	29.9	20.0	28.6	32.4
1986	25.5	18.1–31.2	18.1	29.9	20.0	28.6	32.4
1985	25.5	18.1–31.2	18.1	29.9	20.0	28.6	32.4
1984	25.5	18.1–31.2	18.1	29.9	20.0	28.6	32.4
1983	25.5	18.1–31.2	18.1	29.9	20.0	28.6	32.4
1982	25.5	18.1–31.2	18.1	29.9	20.0	28.6	32.4
1981	25.5	18.1–31.2	18.1	29.9	20.0	28.6	32.4
1980	24.3	17.1–29.9	18.3	29.9	20.0	28.6	25.6
1979	23.9	17.0–29.7	18.6	29.3	20.0	28.6	24.1
1978	23.9	17.0–29.7	18.5	29.3	20.0	28.6	24.1
1977	23.9	17.0–29.7	18.5	29.3	20.0	28.6	24.1
1976	23.9	17.0–29.7	18.5	29.3	20.0	28.6	24.1
1975	23.9	17.0–29.7	18.5	29.3	20.0	28.6	24.1
1974	23.9	17.0–29.7	18.5	29.3	20.0	28.6	24.1
1973	23.9	17.0–29.7	18.5	29.3	20.0	28.6	24.1
1972	23.9	17.0–29.7	18.5	29.3	20.0	28.6	24.1
1971	23.9	17.0–29.7	18.5	29.3	20.0	28.6	24.1
1970	24.0	17.1–29.8	18.5	29.7	20.0	28.6	24.1
1969	24.3	17.1–30.1	17.4	30.2	22.1	28.6	24.1
1968	24.3	17.1–30.1	17.4	30.2	22.1	28.6	24.1
1967	25.2	18.5–31.9	13.4	29.7	25.6	36.4	23.9
1966	26.5	19.3–32.6	13.0	29.9	25.6	46.6	22.7
1965	26.8	19.6–33.1	13.6	29.9	26.4	46.6	22.7
1964	25.8	18.5–31.7	13.9	24.2	26.4	46.9	22.7
1963	29.1	21.4–35.6	21.2	31.5	26.4	46.9	22.7
1962	29.1	21.4–35.6	21.2	31.5	26.4	46.9	22.7
1961	29.1	21.4–35.6	21.3	31.3	26.4	46.9	22.7
1960	27.9	20.6–34.9	18.0	31.3	29.7	42.0	21.5
1959	17.6	10.3–22.7	15.2	24.5	6.9	38.9	10.5
1958	17.6	10.3–22.7	15.1	24.5	6.9	38.9	10.5
1957	16.6	9.8–21.6	14.6	21.0	6.9	38.9	9.5
1956	15.6	9.0–20.5	9.8	21.0	6.9	38.9	9.5
1955	15.6	9.0–20.5	9.8	21.0	6.9	38.9	9.5
1954	15.6	8.7–20.2	9.8	21.0	6.9	38.9	9.5
1953	15.6	8.7–20.2	9.8	21.0	6.9	38.9	9.5
1952	15.6	8.8–20.2	9.9	21.0	6.9	38.9	9.5
1951	15.7	8.9–20.4	10.2	21.0	6.9	38.9	9.5
1950	15.5	8.8–20.2	9.6	21.0	6.9	38.9	9.5
1949	12.3	6.1–16.5	9.0	16.4	5.1	30.6	7.1
1948	12.3	6.1–16.5	8.9	16.4	5.1	30.6	7.1
1947	12.3	6.1–16.5	8.9	16.4	5.1	30.6	7.1
1946	11.2	5.4–15.0	8.9	16.4	5.1	22.6	7.1
1945	5.3	1.8–7.6	1.9	8.6	1.9	11.1	6.0
1944	3.7	0.7–5.4	1.4	8.6	1.8	2.9	6.0
1943	3.7	0.7–5.4	1.4	8.6	1.8	2.9	6.0
1942	3.7	0.7–5.4	1.4	8.6	1.8	2.9	6.0
1941	3.7	0.7–5.4	1.4	8.6	1.8	2.9	6.0
1940	3.7	0.7–5.4	1.4	8.6	1.8	2.9	6.0
1939	3.3	0.7–4.8	1.4	8.6	1.3	1.9	6.0
1938	3.3	0.7–4.8	1.4	8.6	1.3	1.9	6.0
1937	3.3	0.7–4.8	1.4	8.7	1.3	1.9	6.0
1936	3.3	0.7–4.8	1.4	8.7	1.3	1.9	6.0
1935	3.3	0.7–4.8	1.4	8.7	1.3	1.9	6.0
1934	3.3	0.7–4.8	1.4	8.7	1.3	1.9	6.0
1933	3.3	0.7–4.8	1.4	8.7	1.3	1.9	6.0
1932	3.3	0.7–4.8	1.4	8.7	1.3	1.9	6.0
1931	3.3	0.7–4.8	1.4	8.7	1.3	1.9	6.0
1930	3.3	0.7–4.8	1.4	8.7	1.3	1.9	6.0
1929	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1928	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1927	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1926	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1925	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1924	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1923	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1922	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1921	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1920	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1919	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1918	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1917	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1916	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1915	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1914	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1913	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1912	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1911	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0
1910	3.4	0.7–4.9	1.3	8.7	1.5	1.9	6.0

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Gabon Democracy Score, 1910–2025,” 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

#102Bolivia51.4 #103Jordan50.8 #105Hungary49.9 #106Zanzibar49.9

All rankings

How democratic isGabon?

Gabon, 1975–2025

Elections resumed after the coup, with limited political balance

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.

Gabon score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Gabon?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.