2025 country profile

How democratic is
Maldives?

Maldives scores 61.4 out of 100 and ranks 73 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

61.4out of 100Substantial but incomplete

2025 rank73 of 179

10-year change+16.7

25-year change+42.1

Source-bound range53.5–69.6

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

Maldives, 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

Party-finance concerns coincided with protest restrictions

Freedom House reports allegations of inflated ruling-party membership affecting public funding and disproportionate police force against demonstrators. These concern both the fairness of political competition and the ability to express dissent. Reported financial irregularities should be distinguished from a final legal finding.

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 Maldives rose 16.7 points, from 44.7 to 61.4 between 2015 and 2025. 4 of the five areas improved while 1 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. 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: 37.2 → 71.5
Approx. contribution to overall change: +6.8 points

Moving in the other direction

Participation

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

Area score: 50.1 → 48.9
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.

2017–2018−2.6 points
The overall score fell from 42.8 to 40.2. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2018–2019+21.7 points
The overall score rose from 40.2 to 61.9. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2023–2024−2.7 points
The overall score fell from 63.9 to 61.2. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 63.9 in 2023. 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	37.2	71.5	+34.3	+6.8
Public reasoning	48.3	71.5	+23.2	+4.4
Elections	38.0	55.6	+17.6	+3.8
Political equality	50.8	61.3	+10.5	+2.0
Participation	50.1	48.9	−1.2	−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?

55.6

Rights and checks on power

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

71.5

Public participation

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

48.9

Public reasoning

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

71.5

Political equality

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

61.3

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

Maldives score table

Download Maldives CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	61.4	53.5–69.6	55.6	71.5	48.9	71.5	61.3
2024	61.2	54.1–70.4	57.7	72.2	48.5	70.5	58.7
2023	63.9	56.6–71.8	59.6	73.4	48.5	78.8	61.5
2022	62.2	54.6–70.5	58.6	71.1	48.9	73.9	60.3
2021	62.6	55.0–71.3	58.2	69.0	48.2	73.6	65.7
2020	62.5	55.1–71.1	58.1	70.3	48.0	73.6	64.5
2019	61.9	53.9–70.2	57.0	67.8	48.4	73.6	64.1
2018	40.2	31.7–47.2	39.1	38.1	49.5	21.3	58.5
2017	42.8	34.5–50.4	35.3	36.9	50.0	35.8	58.2
2016	43.2	35.5–51.3	36.5	37.1	49.0	39.9	55.1
2015	44.7	36.4–52.2	38.0	37.2	50.1	48.3	50.8
2014	48.7	40.6–56.7	40.7	40.2	53.3	52.6	58.2
2013	50.6	42.6–58.9	45.3	42.8	55.1	52.6	58.0
2012	60.3	52.8–68.3	54.3	54.2	58.1	64.7	71.3
2011	65.5	58.0–72.5	60.0	59.8	60.4	76.9	71.1
2010	60.7	54.2–68.7	59.9	60.4	41.6	76.9	67.5
2009	59.3	52.2–66.9	60.9	61.0	34.1	76.9	68.6
2008	49.4	41.8–56.9	45.9	43.6	35.1	59.2	66.1
2007	37.0	29.3–43.8	30.8	27.2	31.0	37.0	63.8
2006	35.4	27.7–42.2	30.3	27.2	25.0	37.0	62.8
2005	34.4	27.1–41.5	28.3	25.6	24.0	37.0	62.9
2004	25.1	18.4–30.7	17.5	15.9	24.3	22.0	51.9
2003	20.3	14.2–24.8	17.1	14.8	24.3	6.8	48.6
2002	19.1	12.6–23.2	16.3	14.6	21.1	6.3	47.2
2001	20.9	14.4–25.5	16.2	15.6	21.1	11.3	47.5
2000	19.3	12.8–23.6	16.1	15.6	21.1	6.2	47.5
1999	19.3	12.9–23.7	15.8	15.6	19.8	6.2	49.3
1998	19.3	13.0–23.8	16.1	15.6	19.8	6.2	49.3
1997	19.2	12.9–23.7	16.0	15.6	19.1	6.2	49.3
1996	19.0	12.6–23.4	16.0	15.6	19.1	5.7	49.3
1995	19.0	12.6–23.4	16.0	15.6	19.1	5.7	49.3
1994	18.9	12.6–23.3	15.8	15.6	19.1	5.7	49.3
1993	18.5	11.9–22.5	16.0	15.8	16.5	5.7	49.3
1992	18.5	11.9–22.5	16.0	15.8	16.5	5.7	49.3
1991	18.5	11.9–22.5	16.0	15.8	16.5	5.7	49.3
1990	18.7	12.0–22.7	16.7	15.8	16.5	5.7	49.3
1989	16.9	10.7–21.0	15.7	15.9	10.0	5.7	48.5
1988	16.9	10.6–20.9	15.6	15.9	10.0	5.7	48.0
1987	16.9	10.6–20.9	15.7	15.9	10.0	5.7	48.0
1986	16.8	10.5–20.8	15.7	15.9	10.0	5.7	47.7
1985	16.5	10.4–20.6	15.7	16.7	8.2	5.7	47.7
1984	16.5	10.4–20.5	15.4	16.7	8.2	5.7	47.7
1983	16.5	10.4–20.6	15.5	16.7	8.2	5.7	47.7
1982	16.5	10.4–20.6	15.5	16.7	8.2	5.7	47.7
1981	16.5	10.4–20.6	15.5	16.7	8.2	5.7	47.7
1980	16.5	10.4–20.6	15.5	16.7	8.2	5.7	47.7
1979	16.4	10.5–20.5	15.5	16.7	7.7	7.0	45.3
1978	17.4	11.3–21.6	16.3	16.9	8.2	9.6	44.7
1977	18.8	12.2–23.1	17.2	18.9	10.9	9.6	45.0
1976	18.8	12.2–23.1	17.2	18.9	10.9	9.6	45.0
1975	18.6	12.1–23.0	17.2	18.9	10.9	9.6	43.9
1974	18.6	12.2–23.1	17.1	18.9	10.9	9.6	43.9
1973	18.6	12.2–23.2	17.1	18.7	10.9	9.6	43.9
1972	18.6	12.3–23.2	17.1	18.7	10.9	9.6	43.9
1971	18.6	12.3–23.2	17.1	18.7	10.9	9.6	43.9
1970	18.6	12.3–23.2	17.1	18.7	10.9	9.6	43.9
1969	17.7	11.4–22.1	17.2	18.7	10.9	9.6	37.6
1968	18.1	12.3–22.5	14.2	18.6	14.2	10.6	37.6
1967	16.5	10.6–20.7	12.9	17.4	10.9	10.7	35.5
1966	16.7	10.7–20.9	12.9	18.2	10.9	10.7	35.5
1965	16.6	10.5–20.7	13.1	19.8	10.0	10.0	35.3
1964	16.1	10.0–20.3	13.0	19.8	7.7	10.0	36.0
1963	16.0	9.8–20.1	13.0	19.2	7.7	10.0	36.0
1962	16.1	10.1–20.5	13.1	20.2	7.7	10.0	36.0
1961	16.1	10.1–20.4	13.0	20.2	7.7	10.0	36.0
1960	16.1	10.1–20.4	13.0	20.2	7.7	10.0	36.0
1959	16.9	11.1–21.1	13.0	19.7	11.0	10.0	36.0
1958	16.0	10.0–20.2	13.0	19.7	7.7	10.0	36.0
1957	16.0	10.0–20.2	13.0	19.7	7.7	10.0	36.0
1956	16.1	10.0–20.3	13.0	19.8	7.7	10.0	36.0
1955	16.1	10.0–20.3	13.0	19.8	7.7	10.0	36.0
1954	16.0	10.0–20.2	12.9	19.8	7.7	10.0	36.0
1953	16.9	11.1–21.0	12.9	19.8	11.0	10.0	36.0
1952	17.4	11.5–21.7	13.0	22.5	11.0	10.0	36.0
1951	16.5	10.3–20.9	13.0	22.5	7.7	10.0	36.0
1950	16.5	10.3–20.9	13.0	22.5	7.7	10.0	36.0
1949	16.3	10.0–20.3	13.0	22.5	7.7	10.0	34.5
1948	16.3	10.0–20.3	13.0	22.5	7.7	10.0	34.5
1947	16.3	10.0–20.3	13.0	22.5	7.7	10.0	34.5
1946	16.3	10.0–20.3	13.0	22.5	7.7	10.0	34.5
1945	16.3	10.0–20.3	13.0	22.5	7.7	10.0	34.5
1944	16.3	10.0–20.4	13.0	22.3	7.7	10.0	34.5
1943	16.3	10.0–20.4	13.0	22.3	7.7	10.0	34.5
1942	16.3	10.0–20.4	13.0	22.3	7.7	10.0	34.5
1941	16.3	10.0–20.4	13.0	22.3	7.7	10.0	34.5
1940	15.8	9.6–19.8	13.9	18.5	7.7	10.0	34.5
1939	15.8	9.6–19.8	13.9	18.5	7.7	10.0	34.5
1938	15.8	9.6–19.8	13.9	18.5	7.7	10.0	34.5
1937	15.8	9.6–19.8	13.9	18.5	7.7	10.0	34.5
1936	15.8	9.6–19.8	13.9	18.5	7.7	10.0	34.5
1935	15.8	9.6–19.8	13.9	18.5	7.7	10.0	34.5
1934	14.8	8.8–18.6	9.2	18.5	7.7	10.0	34.5
1933	14.4	8.5–18.1	7.7	18.5	7.7	10.0	34.5
1932	11.4	6.3–14.7	1.5	14.9	7.7	10.0	34.5
1931	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1930	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1929	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1928	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1927	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1926	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1925	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1924	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1923	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1922	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1921	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1920	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1919	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1918	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1917	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1916	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1915	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1914	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1913	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1912	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1911	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1910	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1909	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1908	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1907	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1906	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1905	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1904	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1903	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1902	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1901	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5
1900	10.1	5.4–13.0	1.5	12.9	7.7	5.7	34.5

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Maldives 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

#71Fiji62.0 #72Liberia61.5 #74Zambia61.2 #75Namibia60.7

All rankings

How democratic isMaldives?