2025 country profile

How democratic is
Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea scores 51.5 out of 100 and ranks 101 of 179 in our independent 2025 democracy measure. Its lowest-scoring test is public reasoning. 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

51.5out of 100Major democratic constraints

2025 rank101 of 179

10-year change−0.1

25-year change−4.2

Source-bound range43.9–59.4

Weakest areaReasoning

The source-bound range is an uncertainty guide, not a confidence interval for this combined score. How to read the range →

SCORE HISTORY

Papua New Guinea, 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

Confidence-vote maneuvering tested parliamentary accountability

The opposition sought to remove the government through a confidence vote, while the government sought to block the challenge; the prime minister ultimately survived the vote. Such contests can be a normal form of legislative accountability. The question is whether procedures permit genuine scrutiny rather than simply protecting incumbents.

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 Papua New Guinea fell 0.1 points, from 51.6 to 51.5 between 2015 and 2025. 2 of the five areas improved while 2 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: 70.8 → 77.5
Approx. contribution to overall change: +1.1 points

Moving in the other direction

Public reasoning

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

Area score: 47.8 → 42.9
Approx. contribution to overall change: −1.0 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.

2016–2017−1.4 points
The overall score fell from 51.7 to 50.3. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2018–2019+1.1 points
The overall score rose from 50.4 to 51.5. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2021–2022+1.2 points
The overall score rose from 50.7 to 51.9. Political equality supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 52.1 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	70.8	77.5	+6.7	+1.1
Public reasoning	47.8	42.9	−4.9	−1.0
Political equality	46.0	42.9	−3.1	−0.7
Elections	44.4	46.7	+2.3	+0.5
Participation	51.1	51.1	0.0	0.0

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?

46.7

Rights and checks on power

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

77.5

Public participation

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

51.1

Public reasoning

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

42.9

Political equality

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

42.9

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

Papua New Guinea score table

Download Papua New Guinea CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	51.5	43.9–59.4	46.7	77.5	51.1	42.9	42.9
2024	51.5	43.5–59.1	46.2	77.5	51.1	42.9	43.4
2023	52.1	44.2–59.6	46.6	74.9	51.1	42.9	47.9
2022	51.9	44.1–59.6	46.7	73.6	51.1	42.9	47.8
2021	50.7	42.7–58.3	45.5	71.4	51.1	42.9	44.8
2020	51.6	43.4–59.3	45.5	73.0	51.1	46.8	43.8
2019	51.5	44.2–59.8	46.2	69.8	51.1	47.0	45.0
2018	50.4	43.3–58.9	45.7	70.6	51.1	42.0	45.0
2017	50.3	42.9–58.3	44.7	70.1	51.1	42.0	46.0
2016	51.7	44.6–59.7	44.5	70.8	51.1	47.8	46.0
2015	51.6	44.4–59.5	44.4	70.8	51.1	47.8	46.0
2014	51.8	44.3–59.5	44.7	70.8	51.8	47.8	46.0
2013	51.9	44.4–59.5	44.8	71.3	51.4	47.8	46.0
2012	52.2	44.6–59.7	46.0	71.3	51.4	47.8	46.5
2011	52.7	45.1–60.4	47.2	72.2	51.5	47.8	46.6
2010	53.3	45.8–61.4	47.5	72.8	51.5	49.9	46.6
2009	54.4	46.5–61.8	47.8	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.7
2008	54.4	46.5–61.8	47.8	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.7
2007	55.1	47.1–62.7	51.1	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.7
2006	55.8	47.7–63.6	54.4	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.7
2005	55.6	47.6–63.5	53.7	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.7
2004	55.6	47.6–63.5	53.7	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.7
2003	55.7	47.5–63.4	54.1	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.7
2002	55.7	47.5–63.4	54.0	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.7
2001	55.7	47.5–63.3	53.8	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.7
2000	55.7	47.5–63.3	53.8	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.7
1999	55.6	47.8–63.7	53.8	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.5
1998	55.6	47.8–63.7	53.8	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.5
1997	55.6	47.7–63.7	53.8	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.5
1996	55.6	47.7–63.7	53.7	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.5
1995	55.6	47.7–63.7	53.7	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.5
1994	55.6	47.7–63.7	53.7	73.5	51.5	53.4	47.5
1993	55.2	46.7–62.8	53.7	73.5	51.5	53.4	45.8
1992	55.4	47.0–63.1	54.5	73.5	51.5	53.4	45.8
1991	55.6	47.4–63.5	55.4	73.5	51.5	53.4	45.8
1990	55.6	47.4–63.5	55.4	73.5	51.5	53.4	45.8
1989	55.6	47.4–63.5	55.4	73.5	51.5	53.4	45.8
1988	55.6	47.0–63.1	55.5	73.5	51.5	53.4	45.8
1987	55.7	47.4–63.4	56.3	73.5	51.5	53.4	45.8
1986	55.9	47.7–63.9	57.3	73.5	51.2	53.4	45.8
1985	55.9	47.7–63.9	57.3	73.5	51.2	53.4	45.8
1984	55.9	47.7–63.9	57.3	73.5	51.2	53.4	45.8
1983	55.9	47.7–63.9	57.3	73.5	51.2	53.4	45.8
1982	55.9	47.6–63.8	57.3	73.5	51.2	53.4	45.8
1981	55.9	47.5–63.6	57.2	73.5	51.2	53.4	45.8
1980	55.9	47.5–63.6	57.2	73.5	51.2	53.4	45.8
1979	56.1	47.2–63.7	57.9	73.5	51.2	54.1	45.8
1978	56.1	47.2–63.7	57.9	73.5	51.2	54.1	45.8
1977	54.6	45.9–62.7	58.4	73.5	51.2	46.1	45.8
1976	54.5	45.7–62.8	59.1	73.5	50.4	46.1	45.8
1975	54.5	45.7–62.8	59.1	73.5	50.4	46.1	45.8
1974	43.4	35.4–52.8	53.1	63.4	32.6	46.1	27.0
1973	42.0	33.7–51.6	53.1	63.4	26.7	46.1	27.0
1972	37.1	29.3–45.0	31.7	63.4	23.6	46.1	27.0
1971	36.6	28.9–44.5	30.9	61.3	23.6	46.1	27.0
1970	36.6	28.9–44.5	30.9	61.3	23.6	46.1	27.0
1969	26.3	17.7–32.3	29.2	62.2	20.9	10.8	19.6
1968	26.3	17.7–32.3	29.2	62.2	20.9	10.8	19.6
1967	26.3	17.7–32.2	29.1	62.2	20.9	10.8	19.6
1966	26.3	17.7–32.2	29.1	62.2	20.9	10.8	19.6
1965	26.3	17.7–32.2	29.1	62.2	20.9	10.8	19.6
1964	26.1	17.5–31.9	29.2	61.1	20.9	10.8	19.6
1963	24.4	16.1–29.7	24.0	61.1	18.2	10.8	18.6
1962	24.4	16.1–29.7	24.0	61.1	18.2	10.8	18.6
1961	24.3	16.1–29.7	23.9	61.1	18.2	10.8	18.6
1960	24.2	16.0–29.6	23.3	61.1	18.2	10.8	18.6
1959	18.9	11.3–23.3	19.0	61.1	7.0	5.9	18.6
1958	18.9	11.3–23.3	19.0	61.1	7.0	5.9	18.6
1957	18.9	11.3–23.3	19.0	61.1	7.0	5.9	18.6
1956	18.9	11.3–23.3	19.0	61.1	7.0	5.9	18.6
1955	18.9	11.3–23.3	19.0	61.1	7.0	5.9	18.6
1954	18.9	11.3–23.3	19.0	61.1	7.0	5.9	18.6
1953	18.9	11.3–23.3	19.0	61.1	7.0	5.9	18.6
1952	18.9	11.3–23.3	19.0	61.1	7.0	5.9	18.6
1951	18.9	11.3–23.3	19.0	61.1	7.0	5.9	18.6
1950	14.6	8.0–18.5	11.0	39.7	7.0	5.9	18.6
1949	14.4	8.0–18.3	10.8	39.7	6.4	5.9	18.6
1948	14.4	8.0–18.3	10.8	39.7	6.4	5.9	18.6
1947	14.4	8.0–18.3	10.8	39.7	6.4	5.9	18.6
1946	14.4	8.0–18.3	10.8	39.7	6.4	5.9	18.6
1945	8.9	4.1–12.1	8.3	23.3	4.7	5.9	6.6
1944	7.9	3.1–10.7	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	6.6
1943	7.9	3.1–10.7	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	6.6
1942	7.9	3.1–10.7	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	6.6
1941	7.9	3.1–10.7	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	6.6
1940	7.9	3.1–10.7	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	6.6
1939	7.6	3.0–10.4	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	5.5
1938	7.6	3.0–10.4	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	5.5
1937	7.6	3.0–10.4	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	5.5
1936	7.6	3.0–10.4	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	5.5
1935	7.6	3.0–10.4	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	5.5
1934	7.6	3.0–10.4	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	5.5
1933	7.6	3.0–10.4	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	5.5
1932	7.6	3.0–10.4	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	5.5
1931	7.6	3.0–10.4	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	5.5
1930	7.6	3.0–10.4	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	5.5
1929	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1928	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1927	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1926	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1925	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1924	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1923	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1922	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1921	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1920	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1919	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1918	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1917	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1916	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1915	7.4	2.8–10.1	8.3	17.7	3.6	5.9	4.7
1914	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7
1913	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7
1912	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7
1911	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7
1910	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7
1909	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7
1908	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7
1907	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7
1906	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7
1905	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7
1904	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7
1903	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7
1902	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7
1901	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7
1900	7.0	2.0–9.5	8.6	17.7	2.1	5.9	4.7

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Papua New Guinea 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

#99Guyana51.7 #100Serbia51.6 #102Bolivia51.4 #103Jordan50.8

All rankings

How democratic isPapua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea, 1975–2025

Confidence-vote maneuvering tested parliamentary accountability

Rights and checks

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.

Papua New Guinea score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Papua New Guinea?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.