2025 country profile

How democratic is
Malta?

Malta scores 77.3 out of 100 and ranks 33 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

77.3out of 100Substantial but incomplete

2025 rank33 of 179

10-year change−0.1

25-year change+1.8

Source-bound range71.9–83.7

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

Malta, 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

Winning information cases did not ensure disclosure

An investigative outlet repeatedly won access-to-information cases, yet ministries and agencies continued withholding the requested records, according to Freedom House. The gap is between legal rights and implementation. Accountability remains limited when an applicant can win a ruling but still cannot obtain the information.

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 Malta fell 0.1 points, from 77.4 to 77.3 between 2015 and 2025. 4 of the five areas improved while 1 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: 70.0 → 61.6
Approx. contribution to overall change: −1.8 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: 71.3 → 77.0
Approx. contribution to overall change: +1.2 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.

2016–2017−0.5 points
The overall score fell from 77.0 to 76.5. Elections supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2019–2020+1.0 points
The overall score rose from 76.6 to 77.6. Rights and checks supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2020–2021+0.5 points
The overall score rose from 77.6 to 78.1. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 78.2 in 2022. 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	70.0	61.6	−8.4	−1.8
Rights and checks	71.3	77.0	+5.7	+1.2
Political equality	87.9	89.9	+2.0	+0.4
Elections	77.8	78.3	+0.5	+0.1
Public reasoning	80.6	81.1	+0.5	+0.1

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?

78.3

Rights and checks on power

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

77.0

Public participation

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

61.6

Public reasoning

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

81.1

Political equality

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

89.9

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

Malta score table

Download Malta CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	77.3	71.9–83.7	78.3	77.0	61.6	81.1	89.9
2024	77.7	72.6–84.5	78.3	77.0	63.3	81.1	89.9
2023	78.1	72.8–84.8	78.3	77.6	64.6	81.1	89.9
2022	78.2	73.1–84.9	78.0	76.7	65.8	81.1	90.3
2021	78.1	72.8–84.7	77.0	76.9	66.7	81.1	89.7
2020	77.6	71.8–84.3	76.7	76.7	67.0	79.1	89.3
2019	76.6	71.0–83.6	76.7	70.2	69.4	80.6	86.7
2018	76.2	70.7–83.2	75.4	68.9	69.1	80.6	87.9
2017	76.5	71.1–83.4	76.1	69.2	69.4	80.6	87.9
2016	77.0	71.5–83.8	77.7	69.8	69.7	80.6	87.9
2015	77.4	72.0–84.3	77.8	71.3	70.0	80.6	87.9
2014	75.9	70.6–82.8	77.8	71.8	62.4	80.8	88.2
2013	76.2	70.9–83.0	79.3	71.8	62.4	80.8	88.2
2012	77.7	72.5–84.2	81.7	72.5	63.4	84.1	88.2
2011	77.7	72.3–84.0	81.5	72.5	63.4	84.1	88.2
2010	77.4	72.0–83.8	81.5	72.5	62.2	84.1	88.2
2009	77.4	71.7–83.4	81.5	72.5	62.5	84.1	88.0
2008	77.3	71.6–83.4	80.3	72.5	62.8	84.1	88.0
2007	77.0	71.2–83.1	78.4	72.5	63.1	84.1	88.0
2006	77.1	71.6–83.5	78.9	72.5	63.4	84.1	88.0
2005	77.1	71.6–83.5	78.9	72.5	63.4	84.1	88.0
2004	77.0	71.4–83.5	78.9	72.5	63.4	84.1	87.1
2003	76.6	71.0–83.3	78.8	72.5	63.4	84.1	85.2
2002	76.5	70.8–83.2	78.6	72.5	63.4	84.1	85.2
2001	75.5	69.8–82.2	78.6	72.5	58.9	84.1	85.2
2000	75.5	69.8–82.2	78.6	72.5	58.9	84.1	85.2
1999	75.5	69.8–82.2	78.6	72.5	58.9	84.1	85.2
1998	75.5	69.8–82.2	78.7	72.5	58.9	84.1	85.2
1997	75.6	69.8–82.2	78.8	72.5	58.9	84.1	85.2
1996	75.5	69.8–82.1	78.6	72.5	58.9	84.1	85.2
1995	75.4	69.8–82.2	77.6	72.5	59.2	84.1	85.2
1994	75.9	70.3–82.4	77.6	72.5	59.2	84.1	87.7
1993	75.9	70.3–82.4	77.6	72.5	59.2	84.1	87.7
1992	75.8	70.2–82.3	77.1	72.5	59.2	84.1	87.7
1991	67.8	62.4–74.0	73.8	72.5	31.1	84.1	87.6
1990	67.5	62.1–73.9	72.3	72.5	31.1	84.1	87.6
1989	67.3	62.0–73.9	72.3	72.5	31.1	83.1	87.6
1988	67.3	62.0–73.9	72.3	72.5	31.1	83.1	87.6
1987	66.7	61.2–73.4	71.3	70.6	31.1	83.1	87.1
1986	63.3	57.3–70.6	65.0	69.7	31.1	73.1	86.2
1985	63.2	57.0–70.4	65.0	69.0	31.1	73.1	86.2
1984	63.2	57.0–70.4	65.0	69.0	31.1	73.1	86.2
1983	63.2	57.0–70.4	65.0	69.0	31.1	73.1	86.2
1982	63.2	57.0–70.4	65.0	69.0	31.1	73.1	86.2
1981	63.5	57.6–70.9	66.6	69.0	31.1	73.1	86.2
1980	63.5	57.7–70.9	66.7	69.0	31.1	73.1	86.2
1979	63.5	57.7–70.9	66.7	69.0	31.1	73.1	86.2
1978	63.5	57.7–70.9	66.7	69.0	31.1	73.1	86.2
1977	63.5	57.7–70.9	66.7	69.0	31.1	73.1	86.2
1976	63.2	57.2–70.6	68.5	69.0	31.1	73.1	82.4
1975	63.4	57.4–70.6	69.3	69.0	31.1	73.1	82.4
1974	63.4	57.4–70.6	69.3	69.0	31.1	73.1	82.4
1973	63.4	57.4–70.6	69.3	69.0	31.1	73.1	82.4
1972	61.5	55.5–69.1	69.3	69.0	28.2	67.8	82.4
1971	61.5	55.5–69.2	69.3	69.0	28.2	67.8	82.4
1970	61.9	56.0–69.8	70.1	70.5	28.2	67.8	82.4
1969	61.9	56.0–69.8	70.1	70.5	28.2	67.8	82.4
1968	61.9	56.0–69.8	70.1	70.5	28.2	67.8	82.4
1967	61.3	55.3–69.2	70.1	70.5	28.2	67.8	78.7
1966	61.3	55.2–69.1	70.0	71.0	28.2	67.8	78.7
1965	61.3	55.0–69.0	69.9	71.0	28.2	67.8	78.7
1964	62.0	55.8–70.4	71.4	71.6	29.3	67.8	78.7
1963	53.8	45.2–63.3	66.3	73.0	16.7	62.9	65.7
1962	43.9	37.3–51.7	34.7	51.6	16.7	62.9	65.7
1961	41.8	35.4–49.5	25.7	51.6	16.7	62.9	65.7
1960	41.8	35.4–49.5	25.7	51.6	16.7	62.9	65.7
1959	41.8	35.4–49.5	25.7	51.6	16.7	62.9	65.7
1958	47.9	40.7–56.3	36.0	73.0	16.7	62.9	65.7
1957	53.9	45.7–63.9	66.8	73.0	16.7	62.9	65.7
1956	55.1	47.2–65.1	66.8	73.0	20.0	62.9	65.7
1955	53.9	45.7–63.9	66.8	73.0	16.7	62.9	65.7
1954	53.8	45.4–63.5	66.6	73.0	16.7	62.9	65.7
1953	54.0	45.5–63.6	67.2	73.0	16.7	62.9	65.7
1952	54.0	45.6–63.6	67.2	73.0	16.7	62.9	65.7
1951	54.0	45.6–63.6	67.2	73.0	16.7	62.9	65.7
1950	53.9	45.3–63.5	67.1	73.0	16.7	62.9	65.7
1949	53.1	44.2–62.5	67.1	73.0	16.7	62.9	61.0
1948	53.1	44.2–62.5	67.1	73.0	16.7	62.9	61.0
1947	41.7	34.6–49.7	32.4	54.5	15.1	62.9	55.7
1946	37.0	30.3–44.4	20.3	50.9	15.2	62.9	49.0
1945	37.9	31.0–45.4	23.4	50.9	15.2	62.9	49.0
1944	37.1	30.5–44.6	20.7	50.9	15.2	62.9	48.8
1943	37.1	30.5–44.6	20.7	50.9	15.2	62.9	48.8
1942	37.1	30.5–44.6	20.7	50.9	15.2	62.9	48.8
1941	37.1	30.5–44.6	20.7	50.9	15.2	62.9	48.8
1940	37.1	30.5–44.6	20.7	50.9	15.2	62.9	48.8
1939	37.7	30.6–45.1	24.0	50.9	15.2	62.9	47.3
1938	36.7	29.8–44.0	20.2	50.9	15.2	62.9	47.3
1937	36.7	29.8–44.0	20.2	50.9	15.2	62.9	47.3
1936	36.7	29.8–44.0	20.2	50.9	15.2	62.9	47.3
1935	36.7	29.8–44.0	20.2	50.9	15.2	62.9	47.3
1934	37.1	30.1–44.2	21.7	50.9	15.2	62.9	47.3
1933	42.8	34.9–50.6	30.6	72.5	15.2	62.9	47.3
1932	38.3	31.2–45.7	26.6	50.9	15.2	62.9	47.3
1931	37.1	30.2–44.3	21.7	50.9	15.2	62.9	47.3
1930	38.4	31.3–45.8	24.5	54.4	15.2	62.9	47.3
1929	44.6	36.5–52.9	39.3	72.4	15.2	62.9	47.3
1928	44.6	36.5–52.9	39.3	72.4	15.2	62.9	47.3
1927	44.6	36.5–52.9	39.0	72.4	15.2	62.9	47.3
1926	44.1	36.2–52.6	38.8	72.4	15.2	62.9	45.2
1925	44.1	36.2–52.6	38.8	72.4	15.2	62.9	45.2
1924	44.2	36.2–52.6	39.0	72.4	15.2	62.9	45.2
1923	44.2	36.2–52.6	39.1	72.4	15.2	62.9	45.2
1922	44.2	36.2–52.6	39.1	72.4	15.2	62.9	45.2
1921	34.5	26.6–41.6	23.7	52.0	13.3	62.9	32.6
1920	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1919	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1918	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1917	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1916	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1915	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1914	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1913	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1912	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1911	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1910	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1909	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1908	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1907	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1906	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1905	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1904	32.9	25.3–39.7	19.2	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1903	32.8	25.3–39.7	19.1	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1902	32.8	25.3–39.7	19.1	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1901	32.8	25.3–39.7	19.1	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6
1900	32.8	25.3–39.7	19.1	49.2	13.2	62.9	32.6

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Malta 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

#31Jamaica77.7 #32Mauritius77.4 #34Cyprus76.9 #35Brazil76.8

All rankings

How democratic isMalta?