2025 country profile

How democratic is
Peru?

Peru scores 59.7 out of 100 and ranks 81 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

59.7out of 100Major democratic constraints

2025 rank81 of 179

10-year change−11.8

25-year change+11.0

Source-bound range51.9–68.4

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

Peru, 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

Legal changes weakened anticorruption enforcement

Changes to asset-forfeiture rules and congressional efforts to influence the attorney general’s office hindered accountability, according to Freedom House. This concerns the capacity of institutions to investigate powerful actors. It can deteriorate even while courts or prosecutors make progress in individual cases.

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 Peru fell 11.8 points, from 71.5 to 59.7 between 2015 and 2025. All five areas declined. Public reasoning contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Public reasoning

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

Area score: 74.4 → 47.5
Approx. contribution to overall change: −5.6 points

Another important influence

Elections

The evidence rates electoral choice, voting rights, political organization, and the space for open debate less favorably.

Area score: 81.7 → 66.7
Approx. contribution to overall change: −2.8 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.

2021–2022−6.0 points
The overall score fell from 70.8 to 64.8. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2022–2023−1.8 points
The overall score fell from 64.8 to 63.0. Elections supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2023–2024−3.1 points
The overall score fell from 63.0 to 59.9. Elections supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 73.5 in 2018. 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
Public reasoning	74.4	47.5	−26.9	−5.6
Elections	81.7	66.7	−15.0	−2.8
Rights and checks	83.3	73.8	−9.5	−1.7
Participation	66.6	62.5	−4.1	−0.8
Political equality	53.8	50.2	−3.6	−0.8

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?

66.7

Rights and checks on power

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

73.8

Public participation

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

62.5

Public reasoning

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

47.5

Political equality

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

50.2

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

Peru score table

Download Peru CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	59.7	51.9–68.4	66.7	73.8	62.5	47.5	50.2
2024	59.9	51.9–68.2	64.2	76.4	62.0	47.0	52.0
2023	63.0	54.9–70.9	70.0	81.3	63.4	51.6	51.4
2022	64.8	57.5–72.5	73.3	84.4	64.0	52.5	52.4
2021	70.8	64.1–77.7	77.1	85.8	67.2	70.9	55.1
2020	72.6	66.9–79.8	81.8	86.1	70.5	71.1	55.4
2019	72.5	66.7–79.7	80.1	86.7	69.4	71.1	56.9
2018	73.5	67.4–80.3	81.0	86.2	72.2	73.0	57.1
2017	72.1	66.0–78.8	78.9	85.5	65.0	77.0	55.9
2016	72.1	66.0–79.4	78.8	85.1	66.7	74.7	57.0
2015	71.5	65.5–78.6	81.7	83.3	66.6	74.4	53.8
2014	72.3	66.5–79.2	82.2	83.0	66.8	77.3	54.2
2013	71.7	65.7–78.9	82.1	82.8	66.8	76.0	53.3
2012	73.1	67.6–80.1	82.7	83.3	69.4	78.4	53.8
2011	72.5	67.0–79.4	81.2	81.0	69.6	79.7	53.4
2010	71.5	65.7–78.7	80.4	80.1	67.3	78.7	53.0
2009	69.8	64.3–77.0	80.0	79.4	60.1	78.7	53.2
2008	69.6	64.1–77.0	80.1	79.5	60.4	78.7	51.9
2007	69.5	63.9–76.9	79.6	79.5	60.6	78.7	51.9
2006	70.6	64.8–77.4	79.2	81.2	60.7	82.9	51.8
2005	71.2	65.5–77.9	79.2	82.2	62.6	83.2	51.9
2004	71.0	65.2–77.7	79.2	80.8	62.9	83.2	51.6
2003	72.8	67.3–78.8	79.2	80.8	63.2	92.9	51.6
2002	72.3	67.0–78.8	79.2	80.4	62.6	92.9	50.6
2001	69.6	63.4–76.1	72.3	75.6	60.5	92.9	50.6
2000	48.7	40.9–56.5	41.3	32.8	52.4	70.7	50.2
1999	34.6	26.6–41.5	34.9	20.8	44.3	38.3	37.1
1998	34.6	26.6–41.6	34.9	20.8	44.5	38.3	37.1
1997	35.0	27.2–42.2	36.2	21.1	44.8	38.3	37.1
1996	35.6	27.6–42.9	36.2	22.4	46.6	38.3	37.1
1995	34.0	26.4–41.0	28.5	22.3	46.6	38.3	37.1
1994	32.9	25.1–39.3	24.6	21.8	46.6	38.3	36.7
1993	33.0	25.5–39.8	25.2	21.8	46.6	38.3	36.3
1992	34.8	27.2–41.3	24.9	28.3	43.6	42.9	36.2
1991	52.3	43.7–60.5	59.0	60.7	44.5	62.6	37.2
1990	53.0	45.0–61.8	61.2	58.0	49.9	62.6	35.7
1989	54.8	46.7–63.7	65.5	58.9	46.7	68.2	37.8
1988	54.8	46.7–63.7	65.5	58.9	46.7	68.2	37.8
1987	54.8	46.7–63.7	65.5	58.9	46.7	68.2	37.8
1986	55.2	47.0–63.7	65.5	58.4	46.7	71.4	37.8
1985	55.9	48.0–64.7	65.4	60.7	46.7	73.4	37.2
1984	56.7	48.8–65.5	66.3	64.0	46.7	73.4	37.2
1983	56.7	48.8–65.5	66.3	64.0	46.7	73.4	37.2
1982	56.6	48.6–65.3	66.3	63.7	46.7	73.4	37.2
1981	56.1	47.8–64.8	66.7	65.0	43.9	72.2	37.1
1980	43.7	36.0–51.5	44.1	25.9	43.9	68.4	41.2
1979	25.7	18.2–31.2	18.0	13.5	42.0	19.3	42.7
1978	26.2	18.5–31.5	19.5	13.5	42.0	19.3	43.9
1977	22.1	15.2–27.1	10.0	12.4	37.1	16.8	43.9
1976	21.8	15.1–26.7	10.0	12.4	35.0	16.8	43.9
1975	21.7	15.4–26.8	9.1	12.0	35.0	18.0	43.9
1974	22.9	16.4–28.2	9.1	11.2	38.0	21.4	45.5
1973	23.1	16.6–28.4	9.3	11.7	38.0	21.4	45.5
1972	23.4	16.9–29.0	9.7	11.7	40.5	21.4	44.2
1971	23.4	16.9–29.0	9.7	11.7	40.5	21.4	44.2
1970	23.2	16.7–28.8	9.7	11.7	40.5	21.4	43.0
1969	22.3	16.0–27.8	8.9	11.9	40.1	21.4	38.7
1968	31.4	22.8–38.4	26.7	43.9	42.8	17.2	30.8
1967	43.4	34.8–51.2	40.6	74.0	37.9	48.2	23.6
1966	43.7	34.9–51.3	41.1	74.0	39.0	48.2	23.6
1965	43.6	34.8–51.1	41.1	74.0	39.0	48.2	23.2
1964	43.5	34.4–50.7	41.1	73.0	39.0	48.2	23.2
1963	31.2	22.3–37.5	29.3	43.1	36.2	30.8	19.2
1962	21.0	14.5–25.9	27.8	41.5	20.6	10.8	11.4
1961	31.8	24.0–38.9	35.7	59.2	23.3	40.5	11.4
1960	32.0	23.8–38.7	35.0	60.8	23.3	40.5	11.5
1959	30.7	22.6–37.2	34.9	60.8	23.0	40.5	8.5
1958	30.7	22.6–37.2	34.9	60.8	23.0	40.5	8.5
1957	30.6	22.2–36.9	34.9	59.4	23.0	40.9	8.5
1956	19.9	12.6–24.5	26.5	30.6	20.5	18.8	7.7
1955	13.6	8.0–17.1	16.3	14.6	19.9	11.2	7.6
1954	13.6	8.1–17.1	16.3	14.6	19.8	11.2	7.6
1953	13.7	8.3–17.5	16.3	14.6	20.7	11.2	7.6
1952	13.7	8.2–17.5	16.3	14.8	20.7	11.2	7.6
1951	13.7	8.2–17.5	16.3	14.8	20.7	11.2	7.6
1950	12.4	7.2–16.1	11.9	12.3	20.7	11.2	7.6
1949	11.0	5.9–14.1	8.6	10.2	20.0	11.2	6.7
1948	18.4	11.7–22.6	17.4	37.2	20.0	16.8	6.7
1947	25.3	17.6–30.5	30.3	64.6	22.4	16.8	7.4
1946	25.2	17.5–30.3	29.7	64.6	22.4	16.8	7.4
1945	23.0	15.8–27.7	30.1	52.0	19.9	16.8	7.4
1944	20.6	13.7–25.3	25.0	42.4	19.9	16.8	7.0
1943	20.6	13.7–25.3	25.0	42.4	19.9	16.8	7.0
1942	20.6	13.7–25.3	25.0	42.4	19.9	16.8	7.0
1941	20.6	13.7–25.3	25.0	42.4	19.9	16.8	7.0
1940	20.6	13.7–25.3	25.0	42.4	19.9	16.8	7.0
1939	15.6	9.6–19.5	14.6	21.0	22.1	16.8	6.7
1938	14.2	8.5–18.2	12.2	17.7	18.8	18.0	6.7
1937	14.2	8.5–18.2	12.2	17.7	18.8	18.0	6.7
1936	14.2	8.5–18.2	12.2	17.7	18.8	18.0	6.7
1935	14.2	8.5–18.2	12.2	17.7	18.8	18.0	6.7
1934	14.2	8.6–18.2	12.2	17.7	18.8	18.0	6.6
1933	14.2	8.7–18.3	13.2	16.8	18.8	18.0	6.6
1932	14.5	8.7–18.4	15.2	15.9	18.8	18.0	6.6
1931	15.3	9.3–19.8	12.2	21.3	18.8	21.0	6.6
1930	15.1	8.7–18.7	15.7	21.6	18.8	16.5	5.9
1929	15.4	9.3–19.3	18.1	21.0	18.8	16.5	5.9
1928	14.7	8.9–18.5	18.1	17.3	18.8	16.5	5.9
1927	14.7	8.9–18.5	18.1	17.3	18.8	16.5	5.9
1926	14.7	8.9–18.5	18.1	17.3	18.8	16.5	5.9
1925	14.7	8.9–18.5	18.1	17.3	18.8	16.5	5.9
1924	14.8	8.9–18.4	18.5	17.3	18.8	16.5	5.7
1923	14.6	8.8–18.3	18.5	16.6	18.8	16.5	5.7
1922	14.6	8.8–18.3	18.5	16.6	18.8	16.5	5.7
1921	14.6	8.8–18.3	18.5	16.6	18.8	16.5	5.7
1920	13.0	7.2–16.8	12.9	16.6	15.3	16.5	5.7
1919	19.9	13.6–24.3	20.1	26.9	41.6	18.9	3.9
1918	21.4	14.9–26.1	24.7	35.6	38.2	18.9	3.5
1917	21.4	14.9–26.1	24.7	35.6	38.2	18.9	3.5
1916	21.4	14.9–26.1	24.7	35.6	38.2	18.9	3.5
1915	19.3	12.6–24.4	19.2	36.1	24.8	24.1	3.5
1914	21.3	14.6–26.0	16.9	41.0	38.1	22.3	3.4
1913	23.0	16.3–28.1	24.4	41.0	38.1	22.3	3.8
1912	24.5	17.5–29.5	25.0	50.5	38.1	22.3	3.8
1911	23.6	16.6–28.2	25.0	49.2	38.1	19.9	3.5
1910	25.3	17.6–30.1	25.1	48.9	38.1	29.1	3.5
1909	25.5	18.1–30.6	24.9	48.8	37.5	31.4	3.5
1908	25.5	18.1–30.6	24.8	48.8	37.5	31.4	3.5
1907	25.5	18.2–30.7	24.9	48.8	37.5	31.4	3.5
1906	25.5	18.2–30.7	24.9	48.8	37.5	31.4	3.5
1905	25.1	17.9–30.3	24.8	48.8	37.5	28.7	3.5
1904	24.5	17.3–29.5	24.6	44.9	37.5	28.7	3.5
1903	24.6	17.4–29.6	25.2	44.9	37.5	28.7	3.5
1902	25.2	17.8–30.1	26.2	44.9	37.5	31.4	3.5
1901	25.2	17.8–30.1	26.2	44.9	37.5	31.4	3.5
1900	25.2	17.8–30.1	26.2	44.9	37.5	31.4	3.5

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Peru 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

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All rankings

How democratic isPeru?

Peru, 1975–2025

Legal changes weakened anticorruption enforcement

Public reasoning

Elections

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.

Peru score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Peru?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.