2025 country profile

How democratic is
Niger?

Niger scores 52.1 out of 100 and ranks 98 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

52.1out of 100Major democratic constraints

2025 rank98 of 179

10-year change−19.7

25-year change−8.8

Source-bound range46.7–58.6

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

Niger, 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 dissolution removed avenues for representation

The military dissolved all political parties after earlier dissolving elected bodies. A junta-appointed advisory council did not provide meaningful independent representation, according to Freedom House. The change narrowed not just access to office, but the organizational channels through which different groups could advocate for their interests.

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 Niger fell 19.7 points, from 71.8 to 52.1 between 2015 and 2025. 1 of the five areas improved while 4 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. 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: 62.2 → 22.7
Approx. contribution to overall change: −10.0 points

Moving in the other direction

Political equality

The evidence rates the distribution of political influence, rights, and access across social groups more favorably.

Area score: 61.5 → 63.7
Approx. contribution to overall change: +0.4 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.

2015–2016−3.1 points
The overall score fell from 71.8 to 68.7. Participation supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2022–2023−6.3 points
The overall score fell from 66.2 to 59.9. Elections supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2023–2024−7.3 points
The overall score fell from 59.9 to 52.6. Elections supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 71.8 in 2015. 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	62.2	22.7	−39.5	−10.0
Rights and checks	77.6	51.3	−26.3	−5.1
Participation	68.7	55.7	−13.0	−2.6
Public reasoning	90.9	77.1	−13.8	−2.4
Political equality	61.5	63.7	+2.2	+0.4

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?

22.7

Rights and checks on power

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

51.3

Public participation

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

55.7

Public reasoning

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

77.1

Political equality

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

63.7

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

Niger score table

Download Niger CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	52.1	46.7–58.6	22.7	51.3	55.7	77.1	63.7
2024	52.6	47.6–58.9	23.7	51.8	57.6	73.4	65.1
2023	59.9	54.1–66.2	38.8	61.0	60.5	80.6	62.4
2022	66.2	60.0–73.2	50.4	72.8	58.5	89.3	63.0
2021	67.5	61.8–73.8	52.3	73.0	59.4	94.0	62.3
2020	67.1	61.6–74.0	54.4	69.8	60.1	93.0	61.1
2019	66.8	61.2–73.7	52.8	72.1	57.9	93.0	61.5
2018	65.6	59.5–72.1	53.0	72.7	50.3	92.9	63.2
2017	67.7	62.1–74.5	54.2	75.5	56.0	92.2	64.1
2016	68.7	62.9–75.5	57.3	78.1	57.8	90.9	62.4
2015	71.8	66.7–78.1	62.2	77.6	68.7	90.9	61.5
2014	72.2	67.0–78.4	63.3	77.7	69.3	90.9	61.9
2013	72.2	67.2–78.6	62.9	78.0	69.5	90.9	61.6
2012	72.6	67.6–79.1	62.4	75.1	68.5	91.6	67.2
2011	67.6	62.3–74.1	54.1	64.3	69.4	84.6	67.3
2010	56.2	51.7–61.5	26.5	50.0	60.0	85.6	68.8
2009	59.7	53.8–66.5	42.1	53.6	61.7	78.9	65.2
2008	65.2	58.6–72.8	57.6	69.8	56.0	78.9	65.2
2007	65.6	58.8–72.9	57.8	71.0	56.3	78.9	65.2
2006	65.3	58.6–72.9	57.8	70.7	56.5	78.9	63.9
2005	65.3	58.8–73.0	57.3	70.7	56.8	78.9	63.9
2004	64.7	58.2–72.5	54.7	70.7	57.0	78.9	63.9
2003	61.9	55.8–69.5	54.3	70.7	45.3	78.4	63.9
2002	61.3	54.5–68.9	54.3	70.7	42.5	78.4	63.9
2001	61.0	54.3–69.1	54.3	70.7	42.5	76.7	63.9
2000	60.9	53.8–68.6	54.6	70.7	42.5	76.7	63.3
1999	44.5	38.0–51.3	25.5	46.5	40.3	50.4	64.7
1998	49.1	42.1–56.6	38.5	48.1	35.3	62.0	65.0
1997	49.1	42.1–56.6	38.5	48.1	35.3	62.0	65.0
1996	47.5	41.4–54.2	29.2	47.0	38.6	63.6	64.5
1995	60.5	53.7–67.9	53.2	72.1	35.3	82.6	65.2
1994	59.9	53.0–67.6	54.1	72.1	35.3	78.5	65.2
1993	59.7	52.7–67.3	52.8	72.1	35.3	78.5	65.2
1992	51.5	45.4–59.2	33.4	56.4	38.6	71.2	63.2
1991	45.9	37.8–53.9	38.5	55.2	32.9	44.8	60.9
1990	43.3	35.4–51.2	35.0	49.2	31.0	43.3	60.9
1989	30.3	23.4–36.9	15.3	38.9	28.5	21.3	55.2
1988	28.5	21.5–34.6	11.2	35.0	28.3	21.3	56.3
1987	26.6	19.8–32.4	9.3	32.4	27.6	21.3	52.0
1986	23.6	17.3–29.1	9.0	30.7	22.6	14.2	51.8
1985	23.6	17.3–29.1	9.0	30.7	22.6	14.2	51.8
1984	24.0	17.7–29.6	9.0	30.7	24.6	14.2	51.8
1983	24.0	17.7–29.6	9.0	30.7	24.6	14.2	51.8
1982	23.9	17.4–29.3	9.0	30.7	24.5	14.2	51.8
1981	23.3	17.2–29.0	9.0	30.7	21.3	14.2	51.8
1980	23.3	17.2–29.0	9.0	30.7	21.3	14.2	51.8
1979	23.7	17.4–29.2	8.9	30.4	21.3	14.2	55.2
1978	23.7	17.5–29.3	8.9	30.4	21.3	14.2	55.2
1977	23.4	16.9–28.8	8.9	30.7	19.7	14.2	55.2
1976	23.4	16.8–28.7	8.9	30.5	19.7	14.2	55.2
1975	23.3	16.9–28.8	8.9	30.5	19.7	14.2	54.6
1974	24.6	17.8–30.3	11.5	35.4	21.6	13.7	50.4
1973	25.6	18.5–31.4	18.7	38.3	18.9	15.1	42.6
1972	25.5	18.5–31.4	18.5	38.3	18.9	15.1	42.6
1971	25.5	18.4–31.4	18.5	38.3	18.9	15.1	42.4
1970	25.5	18.5–31.5	18.7	38.3	18.9	15.1	42.4
1969	25.8	18.6–31.7	18.6	38.8	18.9	15.1	43.8
1968	25.4	18.0–31.0	18.6	38.8	17.1	15.1	43.8
1967	25.9	18.6–31.7	18.6	38.8	19.4	15.1	43.8
1966	25.9	18.6–31.7	18.6	38.8	19.4	15.1	43.8
1965	26.1	18.7–31.9	19.5	38.8	19.4	15.1	43.8
1964	26.7	19.1–32.3	19.8	38.8	21.6	15.1	43.8
1963	26.3	18.9–32.2	19.8	38.8	20.0	15.1	43.8
1962	26.3	18.8–32.1	19.6	38.8	20.0	15.1	43.8
1961	26.3	18.6–32.2	19.9	38.8	19.7	15.1	43.8
1960	24.9	17.4–30.6	14.2	38.9	19.7	15.1	43.8
1959	12.9	5.8–16.1	13.3	32.9	2.0	4.2	26.7
1958	14.3	6.0–18.2	11.4	32.9	2.0	11.6	26.3
1957	14.7	8.7–18.7	11.3	32.3	3.3	10.3	26.3
1956	11.8	4.9–15.2	3.8	30.0	2.1	10.3	26.3
1955	11.6	4.7–14.9	3.8	27.9	2.1	10.3	26.3
1954	11.6	4.7–14.9	3.8	27.9	2.1	10.3	26.3
1953	11.5	4.8–14.9	3.7	27.9	2.1	10.3	26.3
1952	11.5	4.8–14.9	3.7	27.9	2.1	10.3	26.3
1951	11.3	4.7–14.7	3.1	27.9	2.1	10.3	26.3
1950	11.3	4.6–14.6	3.1	27.9	2.1	10.3	26.3
1949	11.1	4.5–14.5	3.0	27.9	2.1	10.3	24.7
1948	11.1	4.5–14.5	3.0	27.9	2.1	10.3	24.7
1947	11.9	4.8–15.6	5.5	28.0	2.1	10.3	24.7
1946	11.1	4.7–14.6	2.8	27.6	2.1	10.3	25.8
1945	10.6	4.5–13.8	1.8	27.2	2.1	10.3	25.8
1944	10.4	4.5–13.6	1.6	26.5	2.1	10.3	25.8
1943	10.4	4.5–13.6	1.6	26.5	2.1	10.3	25.8
1942	10.4	4.5–13.6	1.6	26.5	2.1	10.3	25.8
1941	10.4	4.5–13.6	1.6	26.5	2.1	10.3	25.8
1940	10.4	4.5–13.6	1.6	26.5	2.1	10.3	25.8
1939	10.1	4.1–13.2	1.6	26.6	2.1	10.3	23.2
1938	10.1	4.1–13.2	1.6	26.6	2.1	10.3	23.2
1937	10.1	4.1–13.2	1.6	26.6	2.1	10.3	23.2
1936	10.1	4.1–13.2	1.6	26.6	2.1	10.3	23.2
1935	10.1	4.1–13.2	1.6	26.6	2.1	10.3	23.2
1934	10.1	4.1–13.2	1.6	26.6	2.1	10.3	23.2
1933	10.1	4.1–13.2	1.6	26.6	2.1	10.3	23.2
1932	10.1	4.1–13.2	1.6	26.6	2.1	10.3	23.2
1931	10.1	4.1–13.2	1.6	26.6	2.1	10.3	23.2
1930	10.1	4.1–13.2	1.6	26.6	2.1	10.3	23.2
1929	9.7	4.0–13.0	1.5	25.3	2.1	10.3	21.9
1928	9.7	4.0–13.0	1.5	25.3	2.1	10.3	21.9
1927	9.7	4.0–13.0	1.5	25.3	2.1	10.3	21.9
1926	9.7	4.0–13.0	1.5	25.3	2.1	10.3	21.9
1925	9.7	4.0–13.0	1.5	25.3	2.1	10.3	21.9
1924	9.7	4.0–13.0	1.5	25.3	2.1	10.3	21.9
1923	9.7	4.0–13.0	1.5	25.3	2.1	10.3	21.9
1922	9.7	4.0–13.0	1.5	25.3	2.1	10.3	21.9

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Niger 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

#96Morocco52.7 #97Lebanon52.3 #99Guyana51.7 #100Serbia51.6

All rankings

How democratic isNiger?

Niger, 1975–2025

Party dissolution removed avenues for representation

Elections

Political equality

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.

Niger score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Niger?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.