2025 country profile

How democratic is
Lebanon?

Lebanon scores 52.3 out of 100 and ranks 97 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

52.3out of 100Major democratic constraints

2025 rank97 of 179

10-year change−2.6

25-year change+10.9

Source-bound range44.6–60.2

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

Lebanon, 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

A presidential vacancy and caretaker arrangement ended

Parliament elected a president and confirmed a prime minister and cabinet, replacing a prolonged vacancy and years of caretaker government. This restored functioning leadership through representative institutions. It does not mean that all security problems or constraints on civic organizations were resolved.

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 Lebanon fell 2.6 points, from 54.9 to 52.3 between 2015 and 2025. 2 of the five areas improved while 3 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. Elections contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation. The latest year moved in the opposite direction (+4.1), so the longer trend is not the whole story.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Elections

The evidence rates electoral choice, voting rights, political organization, and the space for open debate less favorably.

Area score: 48.0 → 41.9
Approx. contribution to overall change: −1.3 points

Moving in the other direction

Rights and checks

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

Area score: 53.3 → 54.2
Approx. contribution to overall change: +0.2 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.

2016–2017−5.7 points
The overall score fell from 56.1 to 50.4. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2020–2021+1.6 points
The overall score rose from 49.1 to 50.7. Political equality supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2024–2025+4.1 points
The overall score rose from 48.2 to 52.3. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 56.1 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
Elections	48.0	41.9	−6.1	−1.3
Political equality	54.7	50.5	−4.2	−0.8
Participation	45.5	42.0	−3.5	−0.8
Rights and checks	53.3	54.2	+0.9	+0.2
Public reasoning	75.1	76.1	+1.0	+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?

41.9

Rights and checks on power

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

54.2

Public participation

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

42.0

Public reasoning

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

76.1

Political equality

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

50.5

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

Lebanon score table

Download Lebanon CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	52.3	44.6–60.2	41.9	54.2	42.0	76.1	50.5
2024	48.2	40.3–55.8	34.7	52.3	42.9	64.8	49.1
2023	49.7	42.3–57.4	36.1	52.8	48.1	64.2	49.5
2022	50.5	42.9–58.7	40.5	51.1	46.7	63.8	51.9
2021	50.7	42.8–58.9	43.3	51.1	45.5	64.5	50.5
2020	49.1	40.5–57.3	43.6	54.0	46.7	62.5	40.4
2019	50.0	41.7–58.4	42.9	54.8	45.0	63.7	45.0
2018	49.1	40.7–57.9	44.0	55.2	44.4	57.2	45.5
2017	50.4	42.7–59.7	47.0	53.7	45.3	62.3	44.7
2016	56.1	49.0–64.5	47.9	53.9	48.9	76.0	55.9
2015	54.9	47.2–62.9	48.0	53.3	45.5	75.1	54.7
2014	54.2	46.8–62.2	48.6	54.3	45.1	70.4	54.1
2013	54.5	47.3–62.5	48.6	54.3	46.0	70.9	54.5
2012	53.2	45.6–60.9	47.7	50.4	44.1	72.0	53.6
2011	53.3	45.8–61.1	47.9	49.4	43.8	72.7	55.0
2010	53.5	46.0–60.9	46.6	49.4	43.8	75.6	54.9
2009	53.7	46.0–60.9	46.7	49.8	44.6	74.9	55.1
2008	50.6	42.7–58.2	44.3	48.7	42.8	63.5	54.9
2007	51.7	44.2–59.3	44.2	49.1	42.7	70.1	54.8
2006	52.1	45.2–60.2	44.1	48.2	43.6	71.7	55.2
2005	50.4	43.1–58.2	40.2	46.8	42.7	71.2	53.7
2004	42.2	34.4–49.7	35.5	45.5	23.2	58.5	53.7
2003	41.9	34.2–49.6	35.1	45.5	23.2	57.3	53.7
2002	41.9	34.1–49.5	35.1	45.5	23.2	57.3	53.9
2001	42.0	34.4–49.7	35.4	45.5	23.2	57.3	53.9
2000	41.4	33.8–48.7	32.3	45.6	23.2	57.3	54.1
1999	40.6	33.1–47.9	31.2	44.8	23.2	55.8	53.5
1998	40.6	33.1–47.9	31.2	44.8	23.2	55.8	53.5
1997	40.7	32.9–47.8	31.2	44.8	23.2	55.8	53.8
1996	40.8	33.2–47.9	31.2	44.8	23.2	55.8	54.4
1995	40.6	33.0–47.8	31.2	44.8	23.2	55.8	53.6
1994	40.6	33.0–47.8	31.2	44.8	23.2	55.8	53.6
1993	40.9	33.6–48.2	31.7	44.8	23.2	55.8	54.2
1992	40.9	33.2–48.2	33.6	43.3	23.2	55.8	53.8
1991	39.4	32.0–47.2	33.6	43.3	20.3	51.7	53.9
1990	39.2	31.6–46.7	34.2	43.3	20.3	49.8	53.5
1989	36.8	29.2–43.8	30.4	41.5	18.8	46.7	52.5
1988	37.5	29.7–44.5	33.4	41.5	18.8	46.7	52.5
1987	37.8	29.9–44.8	34.8	41.5	18.8	46.7	52.5
1986	37.8	29.8–44.9	34.8	41.5	18.8	46.7	52.4
1985	37.8	29.8–44.9	34.8	41.5	18.8	46.7	52.4
1984	37.7	29.9–44.9	34.8	41.5	18.8	46.7	52.3
1983	37.8	29.9–44.9	34.8	41.5	18.8	46.7	52.5
1982	37.8	29.9–44.9	34.8	41.5	18.8	46.7	52.5
1981	38.0	30.3–45.4	34.8	42.8	18.8	46.7	52.1
1980	38.1	30.2–45.4	34.8	42.8	18.8	46.7	52.9
1979	38.0	30.2–45.2	34.8	42.8	18.8	46.7	52.6
1978	38.0	30.4–45.5	34.8	42.8	18.8	46.7	52.2
1977	38.0	30.4–45.5	34.8	42.8	18.8	46.7	52.5
1976	37.4	29.7–44.5	34.8	42.8	18.8	46.7	48.9
1975	37.9	30.5–45.3	35.8	44.1	18.8	50.3	45.7
1974	40.1	32.7–47.6	36.9	46.2	19.5	58.2	46.0
1973	40.1	32.7–47.6	36.9	46.2	19.5	58.2	46.0
1972	40.3	32.6–47.8	37.6	46.2	19.5	58.2	46.2
1971	40.7	32.9–48.2	39.5	46.2	19.5	58.2	46.1
1970	40.7	33.0–48.3	39.5	46.2	19.5	58.2	46.0
1969	40.7	32.6–48.1	38.6	47.9	18.0	60.0	46.3
1968	40.7	32.8–48.4	38.6	47.9	18.0	60.0	46.7
1967	40.7	32.7–48.4	38.7	47.9	18.0	60.0	46.4
1966	40.5	32.2–48.1	38.7	47.9	18.0	58.8	46.4
1965	40.5	32.2–47.9	38.7	47.9	18.0	58.8	46.3
1964	40.5	32.1–47.8	38.9	47.9	18.0	58.8	46.2
1963	40.7	32.5–48.3	39.4	47.9	18.0	58.8	46.5
1962	40.7	32.6–48.3	39.4	47.9	18.0	58.8	46.7
1961	40.7	32.5–48.2	39.5	47.9	18.0	58.8	46.7
1960	40.3	32.2–47.7	37.3	47.9	18.0	58.8	46.9
1959	39.6	31.6–46.5	34.2	47.9	18.0	58.8	46.6
1958	38.3	30.6–45.6	34.2	46.0	18.0	52.9	46.4
1957	38.4	30.4–45.6	36.0	46.0	17.1	52.7	46.6
1956	38.9	30.5–46.1	38.5	46.0	17.1	52.7	46.7
1955	38.9	30.4–45.9	38.5	46.0	17.1	52.7	46.6
1954	38.8	30.3–46.0	38.3	46.0	17.1	52.7	46.5
1953	38.6	30.2–45.7	37.1	46.0	17.1	52.7	46.5
1952	36.7	28.6–43.2	30.5	46.0	15.6	52.7	46.5
1951	36.8	28.7–43.3	30.9	46.0	15.6	52.7	46.5
1950	37.1	29.0–43.6	31.8	46.0	15.6	52.7	47.0
1949	37.0	28.9–43.6	31.8	46.0	15.6	52.7	46.6
1948	37.3	29.1–43.7	31.8	46.0	16.4	52.7	46.7
1947	37.2	29.2–43.8	31.9	46.0	16.4	52.7	46.4
1946	37.3	29.2–43.8	32.2	46.0	16.4	52.7	46.4
1945	36.9	28.7–43.4	32.2	46.0	16.4	50.0	46.8
1944	36.8	28.6–43.4	32.2	46.0	16.4	50.0	46.3
1943	33.6	25.9–40.0	26.6	44.8	16.2	44.4	41.7
1942	32.7	25.5–39.5	22.2	46.0	15.5	45.5	41.7
1941	32.6	25.4–39.4	21.9	46.0	15.5	45.5	41.4
1940	32.7	25.7–39.6	21.9	46.0	15.5	45.5	41.7
1939	32.8	25.8–39.5	22.1	46.6	15.5	45.5	41.5
1938	32.8	25.8–39.5	22.1	46.6	15.5	45.5	41.5
1937	32.8	25.8–39.5	22.1	46.6	15.5	45.5	41.5
1936	32.7	25.3–39.1	22.1	46.6	15.5	45.5	41.3
1935	32.8	25.4–39.2	22.1	46.6	15.5	45.5	41.8
1934	33.1	25.6–39.6	22.1	46.6	16.4	45.5	41.8
1933	31.8	24.5–38.3	18.0	46.6	15.5	45.5	41.8
1932	31.7	24.6–38.3	17.8	46.6	15.5	45.5	41.8
1931	31.7	24.4–38.2	18.0	46.6	15.5	45.5	41.2
1930	31.7	24.5–38.2	18.0	46.6	15.5	45.5	41.4
1929	31.7	24.5–38.2	18.0	46.6	15.5	45.5	41.4
1928	31.8	24.5–38.2	18.0	46.6	15.5	45.5	41.7
1927	30.5	23.5–37.3	18.8	46.6	15.5	36.8	41.7
1926	29.2	21.5–35.5	17.4	45.9	15.5	32.5	41.5
1925	28.8	21.1–34.9	15.8	45.9	15.5	32.5	41.8
1924	28.8	20.8–34.6	15.9	45.9	15.5	32.5	41.8
1923	28.8	21.1–34.9	16.0	45.9	15.5	32.5	41.5
1922	28.0	20.3–34.0	12.9	45.9	15.5	32.5	41.6
1921	25.4	18.4–31.3	12.7	30.7	15.5	32.5	41.9
1920	25.4	18.1–31.1	12.7	30.7	15.5	32.5	41.8
1919	21.9	15.4–27.2	12.0	30.7	15.5	15.7	41.8

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Lebanon Democracy Score, 1919–2025,” Democracys Standard v1.0 beta; derived from Coppedge et al. (2026), V-Dem Country-Year Dataset v16.

Open source DOI

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How democratic isLebanon?