2025 country profile

How democratic is
Jordan?

Jordan scores 50.8 out of 100 and ranks 103 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

50.8out of 100Major democratic constraints

2025 rank103 of 179

10-year change+5.8

25-year change+14.1

Source-bound range43.7–57.9

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

Jordan, 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

Electoral reform gave parties more room to compete

A mixed electoral system was implemented before the parliamentary election, increasing party representation and competition according to Freedom House. This is a change in access to the legislature. It should be distinguished from the separate question of how much governing authority parliament holds relative to the monarchy.

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 Jordan rose 5.8 points, from 45.0 to 50.8 between 2015 and 2025. All five areas improved. Rights and checks contributed the largest upward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Rights and checks

The evidence points toward stronger civil liberties, equality before the law, or constraints on executive power.

Area score: 62.7 → 75.7
Approx. contribution to overall change: +2.2 points

Another important influence

Public reasoning

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

Area score: 61.5 → 73.8
Approx. contribution to overall change: +2.1 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.

2015–2016−1.8 points
The overall score fell from 45.0 to 43.2. Rights and checks supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2016–2017+2.8 points
The overall score rose from 43.2 to 46.0. Rights and checks supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2022–2023+3.2 points
The overall score rose from 46.1 to 49.3. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 50.8 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
Rights and checks	62.7	75.7	+13.0	+2.2
Public reasoning	61.5	73.8	+12.3	+2.1
Participation	27.7	30.8	+3.1	+0.8
Elections	25.5	28.2	+2.7	+0.7
Political equality	55.9	56.0	+0.1	0.0

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?

28.2

Rights and checks on power

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

75.7

Public participation

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

30.8

Public reasoning

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

73.8

Political equality

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

56.0

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

Jordan score table

Download Jordan CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	50.8	43.7–57.9	28.2	75.7	30.8	73.8	56.0
2024	50.6	43.9–57.9	27.4	75.9	30.8	72.8	57.2
2023	49.3	42.9–56.8	25.2	72.2	30.2	74.8	55.9
2022	46.1	38.9–53.6	25.6	70.0	29.8	61.9	52.1
2021	46.0	38.1–52.9	25.7	71.4	28.5	59.0	54.4
2020	47.3	40.1–54.6	25.8	68.3	28.5	61.6	61.9
2019	48.0	41.3–55.5	26.0	68.0	29.4	61.6	64.9
2018	47.5	40.8–55.0	26.1	68.8	28.2	59.6	64.9
2017	46.0	38.8–53.0	26.3	64.9	29.1	56.3	61.6
2016	43.2	36.2–50.1	23.9	55.6	27.8	56.4	60.3
2015	45.0	38.0–52.2	25.5	62.7	27.7	61.5	55.9
2014	44.8	37.8–52.2	25.5	62.7	26.8	62.4	55.2
2013	44.4	37.3–51.6	25.5	62.2	26.0	62.4	54.8
2012	44.7	38.0–52.1	24.6	62.4	25.5	65.3	55.4
2011	43.7	36.9–51.0	24.7	61.7	22.9	65.2	54.8
2010	42.5	35.2–49.6	23.9	61.0	22.3	61.2	54.4
2009	41.9	34.7–49.0	23.3	60.2	22.3	60.1	53.7
2008	41.9	34.7–48.9	23.2	60.2	22.3	60.1	53.8
2007	41.8	34.6–48.9	22.9	60.2	22.3	60.1	53.8
2006	41.8	34.6–48.9	22.9	60.2	22.3	60.1	53.8
2005	41.1	33.8–48.1	22.8	60.2	19.9	60.1	53.8
2004	40.2	32.9–46.9	22.8	59.8	17.1	60.1	53.8
2003	37.1	30.4–43.8	20.8	45.0	17.1	60.1	53.8
2002	36.1	29.5–42.7	18.5	40.1	19.7	60.1	52.4
2001	36.1	29.5–42.7	18.5	40.1	19.7	60.1	52.4
2000	36.7	30.1–43.3	18.6	40.1	19.7	63.3	52.4
1999	41.0	34.1–48.7	22.2	58.3	19.7	62.3	54.5
1998	40.5	33.4–48.4	22.4	57.8	19.7	54.6	59.1
1997	40.5	33.0–48.1	22.4	57.8	19.7	54.6	59.1
1996	40.6	33.1–48.2	22.7	57.8	19.7	54.6	59.1
1995	40.6	33.1–48.2	22.7	57.8	19.7	54.6	59.1
1994	39.7	32.4–47.3	22.7	57.8	17.1	54.6	58.6
1993	40.2	32.8–47.7	23.5	57.8	17.1	56.2	58.6
1992	40.1	32.8–47.7	22.7	57.8	17.1	56.7	58.6
1991	40.0	32.8–47.9	22.1	58.6	17.1	56.7	58.6
1990	40.0	32.7–47.8	22.0	58.6	17.1	56.7	58.6
1989	36.2	28.7–43.5	15.0	59.8	18.2	44.6	57.2
1988	33.8	26.0–40.7	13.0	59.8	16.9	40.8	52.7
1987	33.7	25.4–40.5	12.8	59.8	16.7	40.8	52.7
1986	33.7	25.4–40.5	12.8	59.8	16.7	40.8	52.7
1985	33.7	25.4–40.5	12.8	59.8	16.7	40.8	52.7
1984	33.3	25.2–40.2	12.8	57.7	16.7	40.8	52.7
1983	30.5	22.5–36.8	12.8	40.4	16.7	40.8	52.5
1982	30.5	22.5–36.8	12.8	40.4	16.7	40.8	52.5
1981	30.5	22.5–36.8	12.8	40.4	16.7	40.8	52.5
1980	30.5	22.5–36.8	12.8	40.4	16.7	40.8	52.5
1979	29.5	22.2–36.1	12.8	37.7	14.8	40.9	51.9
1978	29.5	22.2–36.1	12.8	37.7	14.8	40.9	51.9
1977	29.5	22.2–36.1	12.8	37.7	14.8	40.9	51.9
1976	29.5	22.2–36.1	12.8	37.7	14.8	40.9	51.9
1975	29.5	22.2–36.1	12.8	37.7	14.8	40.9	51.9
1974	32.1	24.3–39.1	12.1	55.5	14.8	40.9	51.9
1973	32.1	24.3–39.1	12.1	55.5	14.8	40.9	51.9
1972	32.1	24.3–39.1	12.1	55.5	14.8	40.9	51.9
1971	32.3	24.6–39.3	12.1	56.8	14.8	40.9	51.9
1970	32.5	25.1–39.8	12.4	56.0	15.9	40.9	51.4
1969	32.3	24.4–39.1	12.4	55.5	14.8	40.9	52.7
1968	32.3	24.4–39.1	12.4	55.5	14.8	40.9	52.7
1967	33.4	25.6–40.4	12.6	55.8	14.8	47.1	51.9
1966	33.4	25.8–40.6	12.4	56.7	14.8	47.1	51.9
1965	33.4	25.8–40.6	12.4	56.7	14.8	47.1	51.9
1964	33.5	25.9–40.7	12.4	56.6	14.8	47.1	52.4
1963	33.6	26.0–40.8	12.4	57.2	14.8	47.1	52.4
1962	33.6	26.1–40.8	12.5	57.2	14.8	47.1	52.4
1961	33.6	26.1–41.0	13.7	54.7	14.8	47.1	52.4
1960	33.7	26.1–41.1	14.0	54.7	14.8	47.1	52.4
1959	33.5	25.6–40.7	14.0	54.9	14.8	47.1	50.6
1958	33.4	25.5–40.5	14.0	54.9	14.8	47.1	50.4
1957	34.6	26.6–41.6	14.1	57.5	16.7	47.1	51.3
1956	37.2	29.3–44.7	16.2	59.2	19.2	51.5	52.7
1955	37.1	29.4–44.8	16.0	58.4	19.1	51.5	53.3
1954	35.4	27.4–42.9	15.4	58.4	15.5	49.0	53.3
1953	35.4	27.6–43.0	16.4	58.4	14.6	49.0	53.3
1952	34.9	27.4–42.6	16.5	57.6	14.6	49.9	49.4
1951	32.8	25.2–40.0	13.2	56.9	14.6	44.3	49.2
1950	32.6	25.2–40.0	12.9	57.3	14.6	44.3	48.1
1949	32.5	25.1–40.0	13.1	56.8	14.6	44.3	48.1
1948	32.7	24.9–39.9	13.1	56.8	14.6	44.3	49.1
1947	31.9	24.3–38.8	10.8	56.6	14.6	44.3	49.1
1946	31.0	22.9–37.2	10.2	56.3	13.2	43.3	49.1
1945	31.0	23.1–37.3	10.1	56.0	13.3	43.3	49.1
1944	30.9	22.7–37.1	10.1	56.0	13.1	43.3	49.1
1943	30.9	22.7–37.1	10.1	56.0	13.1	43.3	49.1
1942	30.9	22.7–37.1	10.1	56.0	13.1	43.3	49.1
1941	30.9	22.7–37.1	10.1	56.0	13.1	43.3	49.1
1940	30.9	22.7–37.1	10.1	56.0	13.1	43.3	49.1
1939	31.0	22.8–37.1	10.2	56.0	13.1	43.3	49.1
1938	31.0	22.8–37.1	10.2	56.0	13.1	43.3	49.1
1937	31.0	22.8–37.1	10.2	56.0	13.1	43.3	49.1
1936	31.0	22.8–37.1	10.2	56.0	13.1	43.3	49.1
1935	31.0	22.8–37.1	10.2	56.0	13.1	43.3	49.1
1934	30.8	22.7–37.1	10.2	54.9	13.1	43.3	49.1
1933	30.7	22.7–37.0	10.2	54.6	13.1	43.3	49.1
1932	30.9	22.8–37.1	10.2	55.4	13.1	43.3	49.1
1931	30.9	22.8–37.1	10.2	55.4	13.1	43.3	49.1
1930	30.9	22.8–37.1	10.2	55.4	13.1	43.3	49.1
1929	30.7	22.5–36.8	10.2	54.0	13.1	43.3	49.1
1928	27.0	19.7–33.4	9.9	35.4	13.1	39.8	49.1
1927	27.0	19.7–33.4	9.9	35.4	13.1	39.8	49.1
1926	27.0	19.7–33.4	9.9	35.4	13.1	39.8	49.1
1925	27.0	19.7–33.4	9.9	35.4	13.1	39.8	49.1
1924	26.1	18.7–32.1	9.9	35.4	10.2	39.8	49.1
1923	25.0	17.6–30.9	6.8	35.4	10.2	39.8	49.1
1922	24.8	17.5–30.7	6.4	35.4	10.2	39.8	49.1

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Jordan Democracy Score, 1922–2025,” 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

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All rankings

How democratic isJordan?

Jordan, 1975–2025

Electoral reform gave parties more room to compete

Rights and checks

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.

Jordan score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Jordan?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.