2025 country profile

How democratic is
Ireland?

Ireland scores 84.1 out of 100 and ranks 11 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

84.1out of 100Closer to the standard

2025 rank11 of 179

10-year change0.0

25-year change+2.0

Source-bound range80.6–88.7

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

Ireland, 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

Enforcement and reform strengthened the accountability picture

Freedom House reports fewer new corruption cases alongside prosecution and reform efforts addressing earlier cases. The relevant distinction is between a scandal occurring and institutions responding effectively to it. A reduction in reported misconduct alone is not conclusive; credible investigation and enforcement are also important.

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 Ireland was unchanged at the published precision at 84.1 between 2015 and 2025. 3 of the five areas improved while 2 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. Participation contributed the largest downward 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 less favorably.

Area score: 65.4 → 62.7
Approx. contribution to overall change: −0.6 points

Moving in the other direction

Public reasoning

The evidence rates public justification, consultation, and engagement with opposing arguments more favorably.

Area score: 89.5 → 91.2
Approx. contribution to overall change: +0.3 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.

2016–2017+0.6 points
The overall score rose from 84.0 to 84.6. Political equality supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2019–2020+0.3 points
The overall score rose from 84.3 to 84.6. Participation supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2024–2025−0.2 points
The overall score fell from 84.3 to 84.1. Elections supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 84.6 in 2020. 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	65.4	62.7	−2.7	−0.6
Public reasoning	89.5	91.2	+1.7	+0.3
Rights and checks	92.3	93.4	+1.1	+0.2
Political equality	85.6	86.6	+1.0	+0.2
Elections	89.5	88.7	−0.8	−0.2

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?

88.7

Rights and checks on power

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

93.4

Public participation

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

62.7

Public reasoning

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

91.2

Political equality

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

86.6

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

Ireland score table

Download Ireland CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	84.1	80.6–88.7	88.7	93.4	62.7	91.2	86.6
2024	84.3	80.9–89.0	89.5	93.4	63.0	91.2	86.6
2023	84.5	81.1–89.1	89.4	93.4	63.4	91.2	86.9
2022	84.4	81.0–89.0	89.2	93.4	63.4	91.2	86.9
2021	84.5	81.4–89.4	89.8	93.2	63.4	91.2	86.7
2020	84.6	81.3–89.3	89.1	93.2	65.6	89.9	86.7
2019	84.3	80.7–88.8	88.7	93.4	64.4	90.2	86.6
2018	84.5	81.0–89.0	89.0	93.0	65.0	90.2	86.8
2017	84.6	81.3–89.1	88.7	93.2	65.4	90.2	87.0
2016	84.0	80.4–88.7	88.6	92.3	65.4	89.3	85.9
2015	84.1	80.7–88.9	89.5	92.3	65.4	89.5	85.6
2014	83.8	80.1–88.5	89.5	92.3	65.5	87.7	85.6
2013	83.6	80.2–88.7	89.5	92.3	65.5	86.8	85.6
2012	82.9	79.1–88.1	89.7	91.8	65.0	84.1	85.2
2011	83.1	79.4–88.2	89.6	91.7	65.0	84.1	86.6
2010	83.0	79.2–88.2	89.6	91.7	65.0	83.5	86.6
2009	82.4	78.3–87.7	89.6	91.7	65.0	80.7	86.6
2008	82.5	78.6–87.8	89.6	91.7	65.2	81.0	86.5
2007	82.5	78.3–87.6	89.1	91.7	65.2	81.2	86.7
2006	82.4	78.1–87.5	88.2	91.7	65.2	81.2	86.9
2005	82.3	78.0–87.3	88.2	91.7	65.2	81.2	86.6
2004	82.3	78.0–87.3	88.2	91.7	65.2	81.2	86.6
2003	82.3	78.0–87.3	88.2	91.7	65.2	81.2	86.6
2002	82.1	77.8–87.4	88.3	91.7	65.2	80.0	86.6
2001	82.1	77.9–87.4	88.5	91.7	65.2	80.0	86.6
2000	82.1	77.9–87.4	88.5	91.7	65.2	80.0	86.6
1999	82.2	78.0–87.6	88.0	91.7	65.2	80.0	87.7
1998	82.4	78.4–87.8	88.0	91.7	65.2	80.0	88.8
1997	82.4	78.4–87.8	87.8	91.7	65.2	80.0	88.8
1996	82.1	78.2–87.8	87.5	90.6	65.1	80.0	88.8
1995	82.0	78.0–87.5	87.1	90.6	65.1	80.0	88.4
1994	82.0	78.2–87.7	87.1	90.6	65.1	80.0	88.4
1993	81.7	77.8–87.5	87.1	90.6	65.1	80.0	87.2
1992	81.6	77.5–87.3	86.7	90.6	65.1	80.0	87.2
1991	81.5	77.3–87.2	86.6	89.9	65.1	80.0	87.2
1990	80.3	75.7–86.4	85.1	89.4	63.6	78.6	86.3
1989	79.9	75.2–86.2	84.1	90.0	63.6	78.6	84.4
1988	79.9	75.3–86.2	84.3	90.0	63.6	78.6	84.4
1987	79.9	75.2–86.2	84.2	90.0	63.6	78.6	84.4
1986	78.4	73.3–84.9	83.3	90.0	62.4	73.5	84.3
1985	78.0	72.9–84.8	83.3	89.3	62.4	73.5	82.8
1984	77.8	72.9–84.8	82.9	89.3	62.0	73.5	82.8
1983	77.6	72.7–84.7	82.9	88.4	62.0	73.5	82.8
1982	77.5	72.5–84.7	83.0	87.8	62.0	73.5	82.8
1981	77.7	72.7–84.6	83.1	88.4	62.0	73.5	82.8
1980	77.2	71.7–84.0	82.5	88.4	62.0	71.6	82.8
1979	77.0	71.7–84.1	82.5	88.4	61.7	71.6	82.3
1978	76.7	71.0–83.5	82.5	88.4	60.9	71.6	81.5
1977	76.7	71.1–83.5	82.4	88.4	61.3	71.6	81.5
1976	76.7	71.3–83.8	82.4	88.4	62.1	71.6	80.4
1975	76.3	70.6–83.2	82.4	88.4	62.1	69.6	80.4
1974	76.3	70.6–83.2	82.4	88.4	62.1	69.6	80.4
1973	75.9	69.9–82.6	81.6	87.1	62.1	69.6	80.3
1972	75.6	69.6–82.3	81.9	87.1	62.1	68.2	80.3
1971	75.5	69.6–82.3	81.9	87.1	61.4	68.2	80.7
1970	74.6	68.4–81.6	81.9	86.9	61.2	64.9	80.1
1969	73.3	66.8–80.3	80.9	86.9	62.6	61.1	76.9
1968	73.4	67.0–80.5	81.1	86.9	62.6	61.1	76.9
1967	72.8	66.5–80.0	81.1	86.9	60.0	61.1	76.9
1966	72.8	66.4–80.1	80.9	86.9	60.4	61.1	76.9
1965	72.8	66.4–80.0	80.8	86.9	60.9	61.1	76.2
1964	72.6	66.0–79.7	81.1	86.8	61.6	61.1	74.2
1963	72.4	65.9–79.8	80.3	86.7	61.4	61.1	74.1
1962	72.6	66.2–79.9	80.4	86.7	61.4	61.1	75.3
1961	72.3	66.1–79.8	79.0	86.7	61.4	61.1	75.3
1960	71.0	64.6–78.4	78.3	86.7	61.4	55.6	75.2
1959	70.9	64.4–78.2	77.8	86.7	61.4	55.6	75.1
1958	69.8	63.4–77.2	77.8	86.7	56.4	55.6	75.1
1957	69.7	63.2–77.0	77.8	86.6	56.4	55.6	75.1
1956	69.7	63.1–77.0	77.6	86.3	56.4	55.6	75.1
1955	69.7	63.2–77.0	77.6	86.3	56.8	55.6	75.1
1954	69.7	63.1–77.0	77.6	86.3	57.1	55.6	74.7
1953	69.8	63.2–77.2	77.6	86.3	57.5	55.6	74.7
1952	69.9	63.3–77.2	77.6	86.3	57.9	55.6	74.7
1951	69.9	63.3–77.3	77.5	85.9	58.3	55.6	74.7
1950	70.1	63.5–77.3	77.7	86.2	58.7	55.6	74.6
1949	69.3	62.9–76.8	77.7	85.7	59.0	55.6	70.8
1948	69.1	62.6–76.6	76.7	85.0	59.4	55.6	70.8
1947	69.2	62.4–76.4	76.6	85.6	59.8	55.6	70.4
1946	69.3	62.5–76.5	76.6	85.6	60.2	55.6	70.4
1945	69.0	62.1–76.2	75.0	85.6	60.6	55.6	70.4
1944	68.9	62.0–76.2	74.7	85.6	60.9	54.8	70.4
1943	68.8	61.9–76.3	74.4	85.6	60.8	54.8	70.4
1942	68.8	61.9–76.2	74.1	85.6	61.2	54.8	70.4
1941	69.0	62.1–76.4	74.1	85.6	62.2	54.8	70.4
1940	69.0	62.1–76.4	74.1	85.6	62.2	54.8	70.4
1939	69.0	62.1–76.4	74.1	85.6	62.2	54.8	70.4
1938	69.2	62.1–76.6	75.6	85.6	62.2	54.8	69.7
1937	69.2	62.2–76.8	76.0	85.6	62.2	54.8	69.7
1936	68.3	61.3–75.9	75.9	85.6	57.7	54.8	69.7
1935	67.7	60.7–75.2	75.0	85.6	57.9	54.8	67.3
1934	67.6	60.5–75.1	75.0	85.1	58.2	54.8	67.3
1933	67.6	60.3–74.9	75.0	85.1	58.1	54.8	67.3
1932	67.4	60.0–74.6	74.8	85.1	58.3	54.8	66.3
1931	66.5	59.2–74.1	74.0	85.1	58.5	52.9	64.5
1930	66.6	59.3–74.1	74.0	85.1	58.8	52.9	64.5
1929	66.7	59.3–74.2	74.0	85.1	59.1	52.9	64.5
1928	67.0	59.9–74.7	74.0	84.6	61.3	52.9	64.5
1927	66.9	59.6–74.5	72.8	84.6	61.6	52.9	64.5
1926	66.8	59.6–74.4	72.3	84.6	61.8	52.9	64.5
1925	66.6	59.5–74.4	72.3	83.7	61.8	52.9	64.5
1924	66.5	59.3–74.2	72.3	83.1	61.8	52.9	64.5
1923	62.3	54.7–70.6	64.3	79.3	58.8	49.5	61.2
1922	56.1	47.9–63.8	60.0	71.9	58.7	37.4	55.4
1921	46.1	37.4–52.5	43.9	63.8	50.1	26.9	50.4
1920	42.5	34.5–48.1	27.9	63.5	50.1	26.9	50.4
1919	41.6	34.7–48.2	27.3	64.4	50.1	20.5	55.0

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Ireland Democracy Score, 1919–2025,” 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

#9Taiwan84.5 #10Estonia84.1 #12Belgium84.0 #13Luxembourg83.9

All rankings

How democratic isIreland?

Ireland, 1975–2025

Enforcement and reform strengthened the accountability picture

Participation

Public reasoning

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.

Ireland score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Ireland?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.