2025 country profile

How democratic is
Netherlands?

Netherlands scores 82.8 out of 100 and ranks 16 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

82.8out of 100Closer to the standard

2025 rank16 of 179

10-year change−3.0

25-year change−2.3

Source-bound range79.2–87.7

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

Netherlands, 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

A lengthy coalition negotiation produced a new government

Cross-party talks after the 2023 election resulted in a governing coalition in July 2024. This changed who exercised executive authority through parliamentary bargaining. Lengthy negotiations are not inherently a democratic failure; the relevant questions are whether representation is respected and whether the resulting government remains accountable to parliament.

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 Netherlands fell 3.0 points, from 85.8 to 82.8 between 2015 and 2025. All five areas declined. Elections contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation.

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: 87.9 → 83.2
Approx. contribution to overall change: −0.9 points

Another important influence

Public reasoning

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

Area score: 94.0 → 90.2
Approx. contribution to overall change: −0.7 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+1.1 points
The overall score rose from 85.8 to 86.9. Participation supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2018–2019−1.6 points
The overall score fell from 86.6 to 85.0. Participation supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2023–2024−1.9 points
The overall score fell from 84.7 to 82.8. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 86.9 in 2017. 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	87.9	83.2	−4.7	−0.9
Public reasoning	94.0	90.2	−3.8	−0.7
Participation	62.1	59.4	−2.7	−0.6
Political equality	91.9	89.3	−2.6	−0.5
Rights and checks	95.8	94.5	−1.3	−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?

83.2

Rights and checks on power

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

94.5

Public participation

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

59.4

Public reasoning

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

90.2

Political equality

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

89.3

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

Netherlands score table

Download Netherlands CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	82.8	79.2–87.7	83.2	94.5	59.4	90.2	89.3
2024	82.8	79.5–87.7	82.3	94.5	60.8	89.8	89.0
2023	84.7	81.9–88.5	84.7	95.1	62.0	95.4	89.0
2022	85.0	82.2–88.9	85.2	95.3	61.1	96.7	89.7
2021	85.5	82.9–89.4	86.4	95.3	60.8	96.7	91.0
2020	85.1	82.2–88.8	86.4	95.6	60.8	95.9	89.8
2019	85.0	82.1–89.0	86.6	95.9	60.8	94.6	90.0
2018	86.6	83.9–90.6	87.6	96.0	65.8	93.9	91.9
2017	86.9	84.1–90.6	87.8	96.2	66.1	93.1	93.0
2016	86.9	84.1–90.8	87.9	95.8	66.6	94.0	91.9
2015	85.8	83.0–89.7	87.9	95.8	62.1	94.0	91.9
2014	85.9	83.2–89.8	87.9	95.8	62.0	94.0	92.5
2013	86.0	83.2–89.7	87.8	95.9	62.5	94.0	92.5
2012	86.1	83.3–89.8	87.2	96.2	63.5	92.9	92.8
2011	85.9	82.9–89.9	87.4	96.2	62.7	92.9	92.8
2010	85.9	82.8–89.9	87.4	96.2	63.2	92.1	92.8
2009	86.2	83.4–90.2	87.2	95.9	65.1	92.0	92.9
2008	86.2	83.4–90.2	87.2	95.9	65.1	92.0	92.9
2007	86.3	83.6–90.3	87.2	95.9	65.1	92.5	93.0
2006	86.1	83.3–90.2	86.5	95.9	63.9	93.5	93.0
2005	85.9	83.2–90.2	86.0	95.9	63.9	93.5	92.4
2004	84.9	82.3–89.3	86.0	95.9	59.9	93.5	92.4
2003	84.9	82.3–89.3	86.0	95.9	59.9	93.5	92.4
2002	84.6	81.6–88.9	85.1	95.9	59.9	92.2	93.0
2001	85.0	82.0–89.0	85.6	95.9	61.1	92.2	93.0
2000	85.1	82.2–89.1	85.6	95.9	61.1	92.8	93.0
1999	85.2	82.2–89.1	86.6	95.9	61.1	92.8	92.2
1998	84.8	81.8–88.9	84.7	95.9	61.1	92.8	92.2
1997	84.9	81.8–88.9	85.4	95.9	61.1	92.8	92.2
1996	85.1	82.1–89.0	86.1	95.9	61.1	92.8	92.2
1995	85.1	82.1–89.0	86.1	95.9	61.1	92.8	92.2
1994	85.1	82.2–89.0	86.1	95.9	61.1	92.8	92.3
1993	85.3	82.4–89.1	86.2	95.9	61.1	94.3	91.6
1992	85.1	82.1–89.0	86.2	95.9	61.1	94.3	90.9
1991	85.1	82.1–89.0	86.2	95.9	61.1	94.3	90.9
1990	85.1	82.1–89.0	86.2	95.9	61.1	94.3	90.9
1989	85.1	82.1–89.0	86.1	95.9	60.9	94.3	90.9
1988	85.0	82.1–89.0	86.0	95.9	60.9	94.3	90.9
1987	85.0	82.1–89.0	86.0	95.9	60.9	94.3	90.9
1986	84.8	81.8–89.0	86.0	95.9	60.0	94.3	90.9
1985	84.8	81.8–89.0	86.1	95.9	60.0	94.3	90.9
1984	84.9	81.9–89.0	86.1	95.9	60.0	94.3	91.2
1983	85.1	82.1–89.0	86.1	95.9	60.6	94.3	91.2
1982	85.0	82.2–89.1	86.2	95.9	60.6	94.3	90.9
1981	85.0	82.1–89.1	86.2	95.6	60.6	94.3	90.9
1980	84.9	82.1–89.1	86.0	95.6	60.6	94.3	90.9
1979	85.0	82.3–89.1	85.5	95.2	61.4	95.0	90.7
1978	84.9	82.2–88.9	84.7	95.2	61.4	95.0	91.0
1977	85.0	82.2–89.0	84.3	95.2	62.5	94.6	90.7
1976	85.1	82.3–88.9	84.4	95.2	62.5	95.1	90.7
1975	85.1	82.3–88.9	84.4	95.2	62.5	95.1	90.7
1974	85.1	82.3–88.9	84.4	95.2	62.5	95.1	90.7
1973	84.9	82.1–88.9	84.4	95.2	61.9	95.1	90.5
1972	85.1	82.3–89.0	84.5	95.2	61.9	95.1	91.2
1971	84.9	82.0–88.9	84.1	95.2	61.9	95.1	90.6
1970	84.8	82.0–88.9	84.0	95.2	61.9	95.1	90.6
1969	84.0	80.6–88.3	83.7	94.8	59.7	94.0	90.6
1968	83.6	80.4–88.2	82.6	94.8	60.0	94.0	89.3
1967	82.3	78.7–87.5	82.2	94.6	59.4	89.6	88.6
1966	82.0	78.2–87.2	81.8	94.6	59.4	88.8	87.9
1965	81.3	77.3–86.8	79.1	94.6	58.7	88.8	87.9
1964	81.0	77.0–86.7	79.1	94.6	58.7	87.4	87.9
1963	81.0	77.0–86.6	79.3	94.6	58.7	87.4	87.9
1962	81.1	77.0–86.6	79.6	94.6	58.7	87.4	87.9
1961	81.1	77.0–86.6	79.6	94.6	58.7	87.4	87.9
1960	80.9	76.8–86.5	79.6	94.6	58.7	87.4	86.8
1959	80.5	76.4–86.3	78.7	94.3	58.7	87.4	85.9
1958	80.5	76.5–86.4	78.6	94.3	58.7	87.4	85.9
1957	80.5	76.5–86.4	78.6	94.3	58.7	87.4	85.9
1956	80.3	76.1–86.0	77.9	94.2	58.7	87.4	85.7
1955	79.7	75.6–85.7	75.8	94.2	58.7	87.4	85.1
1954	79.8	75.9–85.9	76.4	94.2	58.7	87.4	85.1
1953	79.8	75.9–85.9	76.4	94.2	58.7	87.4	85.1
1952	80.0	75.8–85.8	77.1	94.0	58.7	87.4	85.1
1951	80.1	75.8–85.8	77.8	94.0	58.7	87.4	85.1
1950	80.1	75.8–85.8	77.8	94.0	58.7	87.4	85.1
1949	79.8	75.4–85.5	77.8	94.0	58.7	86.1	85.1
1948	79.5	75.1–85.3	76.7	93.1	58.7	86.1	85.1
1947	79.3	74.9–85.2	75.8	93.1	58.7	86.1	85.1
1946	72.0	68.1–77.4	52.4	81.6	58.7	86.1	85.1
1945	47.4	42.5–52.7	18.8	45.5	36.9	74.0	75.7
1944	42.6	37.4–48.1	14.3	41.2	29.0	70.6	75.4
1943	42.7	37.7–48.4	14.6	41.2	29.0	70.6	75.4
1942	42.8	37.7–48.5	14.6	41.2	29.0	70.6	75.9
1941	42.7	37.7–48.4	14.7	41.2	29.0	70.6	75.1
1940	47.6	42.4–53.3	21.9	45.1	36.5	70.6	75.1
1939	71.1	64.9–78.8	73.2	89.6	52.4	77.3	65.7
1938	70.9	64.8–78.8	73.2	89.6	52.4	76.2	65.7
1937	70.9	64.7–78.7	73.2	89.6	52.4	76.2	65.7
1936	70.8	64.7–78.5	73.1	89.6	52.4	76.2	65.2
1935	70.8	64.9–78.8	73.6	89.6	52.4	76.2	65.2
1934	70.8	64.9–78.8	73.6	89.6	52.4	76.2	65.2
1933	70.8	64.9–78.8	73.6	89.6	52.4	76.2	65.2
1932	70.9	64.9–78.9	73.7	89.6	52.4	76.2	65.2
1931	70.9	64.9–78.9	73.7	89.6	52.4	76.2	65.2
1930	70.9	64.9–78.9	73.7	89.6	52.4	76.2	65.2
1929	70.7	64.6–78.6	73.6	89.6	52.4	76.2	64.4
1928	70.4	64.1–78.0	73.4	89.6	52.4	75.1	64.4
1927	70.4	64.1–78.0	73.4	89.6	52.4	75.1	64.4
1926	70.4	64.1–78.0	73.4	89.6	52.4	75.1	64.4
1925	70.5	64.1–78.0	73.5	89.6	52.4	75.1	64.4
1924	70.5	64.1–78.0	73.5	89.6	52.4	75.1	64.4
1923	70.5	64.1–78.0	73.5	89.6	52.4	75.1	64.4
1922	70.3	64.0–77.9	72.9	89.6	52.4	75.1	64.4
1921	70.2	63.8–77.7	72.2	89.6	52.4	75.1	64.4
1920	69.9	63.4–77.3	72.2	89.6	52.4	75.1	62.9
1919	66.2	60.1–73.1	54.4	89.6	52.4	75.1	62.9
1918	64.8	58.6–71.5	53.1	89.6	51.6	75.1	58.3
1917	63.1	56.6–69.4	47.2	89.7	50.6	76.0	56.7
1916	61.8	55.6–68.2	46.1	89.7	49.4	76.0	53.3
1915	61.8	55.6–68.2	46.1	89.7	49.4	76.0	53.3
1914	61.8	55.7–68.4	46.1	89.7	49.4	76.0	53.1
1913	61.9	55.7–68.6	46.2	89.7	49.4	76.6	53.1
1912	61.8	55.4–68.1	46.5	89.7	49.4	76.6	52.2
1911	61.8	55.4–68.1	46.5	89.7	49.4	76.6	52.2
1910	61.8	55.4–68.1	46.5	89.7	49.4	76.6	52.2
1909	61.4	55.1–67.8	44.9	89.7	49.4	76.6	52.2
1908	61.4	55.2–67.9	44.8	89.7	49.4	76.6	52.2
1907	61.4	55.2–67.9	44.8	89.7	49.4	76.6	52.2
1906	61.4	55.2–67.9	44.8	89.7	49.4	76.6	52.2
1905	61.4	55.2–67.9	44.8	89.7	49.4	76.6	52.2
1904	61.4	55.2–67.8	44.8	89.7	49.4	76.6	52.2
1903	61.4	55.2–67.8	44.8	89.7	49.4	76.6	52.2
1902	61.4	55.2–67.8	44.8	89.7	49.4	76.6	52.2
1901	61.6	55.5–68.2	45.5	89.7	49.4	76.6	52.3
1900	61.8	55.7–68.4	46.4	89.7	49.4	76.6	52.3

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Netherlands 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

#14France83.0 #15Finland82.9 #17Iceland82.6 #18South Korea82.5

All rankings

How democratic isNetherlands?

Netherlands, 1975–2025

A lengthy coalition negotiation produced a new government

Elections

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.

Netherlands score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Netherlands?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.