2025 country profile

How democratic is
Philippines?

Philippines scores 48.0 out of 100 and ranks 111 of 179 in our independent 2025 democracy measure. Its lowest-scoring test is political equality. 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

48.0out of 100Major democratic constraints

2025 rank111 of 179

10-year change−15.5

25-year change−15.4

Source-bound range40.0–56.2

Weakest areaEquality

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

SCORE HISTORY

Philippines, 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

Investigations put past state violence under scrutiny

Congressional hearings and criminal investigations examined alleged abuses during the former administration’s drug campaign. Witness allegations are not convictions, but the ability to investigate security officials and political leaders is itself important. The democratic mechanism is accountability for coercive power, with outcomes still requiring case-by-case evidence.

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 Philippines fell 15.5 points, from 63.5 to 48.0 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: 89.1 → 53.5
Approx. contribution to overall change: −6.3 points

Another important influence

Elections

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

Area score: 52.2 → 39.2
Approx. contribution to overall change: −2.9 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.

2015–2016−5.8 points
The overall score fell from 63.5 to 57.7. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2019–2020−2.3 points
The overall score fell from 53.5 to 51.2. Political equality supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2022–2023−2.4 points
The overall score fell from 50.8 to 48.4. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 63.5 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
Public reasoning	89.1	53.5	−35.6	−6.3
Elections	52.2	39.2	−13.0	−2.9
Political equality	42.2	30.8	−11.4	−2.9
Rights and checks	75.3	64.3	−11.0	−2.0
Participation	64.1	56.3	−7.8	−1.5

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?

39.2

Rights and checks on power

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

64.3

Public participation

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

56.3

Public reasoning

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

53.5

Political equality

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

30.8

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

Philippines score table

Download Philippines CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	48.0	40.0–56.2	39.2	64.3	56.3	53.5	30.8
2024	48.5	40.1–56.5	41.1	64.2	57.2	53.4	30.5
2023	48.4	39.5–56.3	41.6	59.9	59.1	53.4	31.3
2022	50.8	42.9–58.7	41.1	58.3	59.1	69.2	31.3
2021	51.2	43.3–58.8	41.1	56.0	59.1	76.0	30.2
2020	51.2	43.4–58.6	40.5	56.9	59.1	76.0	29.8
2019	53.5	46.5–60.7	42.8	56.6	62.3	79.3	32.7
2018	54.5	47.7–62.4	45.0	57.0	60.5	77.5	36.7
2017	55.8	48.6–63.3	46.9	60.8	61.4	77.7	36.7
2016	57.7	51.0–65.5	48.5	65.3	62.3	77.3	39.2
2015	63.5	57.2–69.9	52.2	75.3	64.1	89.1	42.2
2014	63.3	57.4–69.7	52.1	74.5	63.9	89.2	42.0
2013	63.2	57.4–69.8	52.1	74.5	63.9	89.2	41.9
2012	63.8	57.9–70.1	52.4	75.1	63.9	88.7	43.9
2011	63.8	58.0–70.3	52.4	75.1	63.9	88.7	43.8
2010	63.0	56.8–69.4	50.6	74.0	63.9	87.4	43.8
2009	59.9	53.9–66.7	46.0	69.8	63.1	84.1	41.4
2008	59.8	53.7–66.4	45.6	69.9	63.1	84.1	41.4
2007	59.7	53.4–66.2	45.9	69.3	62.8	84.1	41.4
2006	59.7	53.3–66.3	46.3	69.0	62.8	84.1	41.4
2005	59.7	53.6–66.8	46.3	68.9	63.0	84.1	41.4
2004	59.9	53.3–66.9	48.6	67.0	62.8	84.1	41.4
2003	61.4	54.9–68.6	52.9	69.7	63.1	84.1	41.4
2002	61.4	55.0–68.6	53.1	69.7	63.3	84.1	41.4
2001	62.4	55.9–69.4	54.5	71.3	63.6	84.1	42.4
2000	63.4	56.8–70.2	58.5	72.0	63.9	84.0	42.4
1999	63.7	57.2–70.6	57.6	72.5	64.1	84.0	44.0
1998	64.7	58.5–71.3	57.9	70.6	64.4	91.4	44.0
1997	64.5	57.9–70.8	55.5	72.0	64.6	91.4	44.0
1996	64.6	58.0–70.8	55.5	72.0	64.9	91.4	44.0
1995	64.5	57.9–70.8	55.0	72.0	65.2	91.4	43.7
1994	64.3	58.1–70.8	54.2	72.0	65.4	91.4	43.7
1993	64.3	57.9–70.6	54.2	71.3	65.7	91.4	43.7
1992	65.1	58.3–71.2	55.5	73.6	66.0	91.4	44.1
1991	64.2	57.4–71.1	56.5	73.0	66.2	84.6	44.3
1990	64.6	57.9–71.3	56.5	72.8	66.2	87.5	44.3
1989	64.1	57.2–70.8	55.2	71.8	66.2	87.5	44.2
1988	64.1	57.2–70.8	55.2	71.8	66.2	87.5	44.2
1987	57.6	51.5–63.7	43.1	52.1	66.2	87.5	44.2
1986	43.0	36.5–49.5	23.5	33.8	50.8	72.5	42.0
1985	24.0	17.6–28.6	18.2	16.2	41.5	30.1	18.2
1984	23.9	17.5–28.5	17.9	16.2	41.5	30.1	18.2
1983	23.9	17.5–28.5	17.7	16.2	41.5	30.1	18.2
1982	23.8	17.5–28.4	17.4	16.2	41.5	30.1	18.2
1981	23.8	17.4–28.3	17.1	16.2	41.5	30.1	18.2
1980	23.7	17.3–28.1	16.7	16.2	41.5	30.1	18.2
1979	23.7	17.4–28.3	16.7	16.2	41.5	30.1	18.3
1978	23.1	17.0–27.7	15.5	15.1	41.5	30.1	18.3
1977	20.4	14.8–24.7	7.7	12.9	41.5	30.1	18.3
1976	20.4	14.8–24.7	7.7	12.9	41.5	30.1	18.3
1975	20.3	14.9–24.7	7.7	12.9	41.5	30.1	18.1
1974	20.1	14.6–24.5	7.7	12.9	39.8	30.1	18.1
1973	21.0	15.8–25.6	7.7	12.9	43.5	32.5	18.1
1972	26.6	20.6–32.1	14.1	19.4	43.1	45.7	18.2
1971	45.4	38.2–52.4	33.1	49.7	58.2	70.4	23.7
1970	48.2	41.3–55.3	35.0	57.1	58.7	70.4	27.1
1969	49.7	42.6–57.0	38.7	59.3	58.2	71.6	27.5
1968	49.4	42.5–56.8	39.1	60.4	57.8	71.6	25.7
1967	49.5	42.3–56.8	39.2	62.6	56.0	71.6	25.7
1966	49.2	41.8–56.5	39.2	62.5	52.5	71.6	27.3
1965	49.5	42.1–56.9	40.4	62.1	52.8	71.6	27.3
1964	49.7	42.3–57.1	39.8	63.7	53.0	71.6	27.3
1963	49.7	42.3–57.1	39.8	63.7	53.3	71.6	27.3
1962	49.8	42.4–57.2	39.8	63.7	53.5	71.6	27.3
1961	49.9	42.4–57.1	39.9	63.7	53.8	71.6	27.3
1960	49.9	42.6–57.3	40.2	63.7	53.9	71.6	27.3
1959	49.7	42.3–56.8	38.2	64.2	54.5	71.6	27.3
1958	49.5	42.3–57.0	38.2	64.2	54.7	71.6	26.6
1957	49.2	41.6–56.3	37.6	63.4	55.0	71.6	26.1
1956	49.2	41.7–56.3	37.5	63.4	55.3	71.6	26.1
1955	49.1	41.9–56.5	37.5	63.4	55.5	71.6	25.7
1954	49.0	41.7–56.3	36.8	62.7	55.8	71.6	26.1
1953	48.6	41.5–55.9	34.9	62.7	56.0	71.6	26.1
1952	48.6	41.2–55.6	34.6	62.7	56.3	71.6	26.0
1951	48.5	41.2–55.5	34.6	62.0	56.6	71.6	26.0
1950	48.4	41.1–55.5	34.2	62.0	56.6	71.6	26.0
1949	48.3	41.2–55.6	34.7	62.0	56.6	71.6	25.2
1948	48.5	41.3–55.7	34.9	62.0	56.6	72.4	25.2
1947	48.5	41.3–55.7	34.9	62.0	56.6	72.4	25.2
1946	45.9	38.4–52.3	30.0	61.2	56.0	72.4	21.1
1945	16.6	10.2–21.2	12.8	22.2	17.2	24.6	8.8
1944	12.7	7.2–16.3	13.4	20.8	17.4	6.5	8.1
1943	10.9	6.0–14.3	7.9	17.2	17.4	6.5	8.1
1942	12.7	7.3–16.7	5.9	15.5	19.3	17.3	8.6
1941	36.1	29.1–42.9	23.3	42.4	43.7	61.4	18.2
1940	39.3	31.8–45.9	25.7	50.9	48.0	61.4	19.4
1939	39.0	31.3–45.4	24.7	50.9	47.6	61.4	19.4
1938	39.0	31.5–45.6	24.9	50.8	47.6	61.4	19.4
1937	39.1	31.5–45.6	25.0	50.8	47.6	61.4	19.4
1936	38.4	31.3–45.0	22.8	50.9	47.6	61.4	19.0
1935	34.9	27.5–40.7	19.8	45.3	44.7	61.8	14.6
1934	31.4	24.8–37.9	16.9	45.2	37.4	53.7	14.2
1933	31.1	24.6–37.6	15.8	45.2	37.4	53.7	14.2
1932	31.1	24.6–37.6	15.8	45.2	37.4	53.7	14.2
1931	31.2	24.7–37.8	16.2	45.2	37.4	53.7	14.2
1930	31.3	24.8–37.8	16.4	45.2	37.4	53.7	14.2
1929	31.2	24.4–37.5	16.4	45.2	37.4	53.7	13.8
1928	31.3	24.5–37.6	16.8	45.2	37.4	53.7	13.8
1927	31.5	24.6–37.7	17.5	45.2	37.4	53.7	13.8
1926	31.5	24.6–37.7	17.5	45.2	37.4	53.7	13.8
1925	31.3	24.5–37.6	17.0	45.2	37.4	53.7	13.8
1924	31.1	24.3–37.3	16.2	45.2	37.4	53.7	13.8
1923	31.1	24.3–37.3	16.2	45.2	37.4	53.7	13.8
1922	31.3	24.5–37.5	16.8	45.2	37.4	53.7	13.8
1921	31.5	24.7–37.8	17.6	45.2	37.4	53.7	13.8
1920	31.5	24.7–37.8	17.6	45.2	37.4	53.7	13.8
1919	31.1	24.5–37.6	17.0	45.2	37.4	53.7	13.2
1918	31.0	24.4–37.4	16.5	45.2	37.4	53.7	13.2
1917	30.5	23.8–36.7	16.4	44.1	37.4	51.7	13.2
1916	29.2	22.3–35.0	15.9	44.1	33.2	51.2	12.1
1915	28.5	21.8–34.4	15.4	42.7	33.2	49.4	12.1
1914	28.5	21.8–34.4	15.4	42.7	33.2	49.4	12.1
1913	28.4	21.7–34.2	15.4	42.1	33.2	49.4	12.1
1912	28.5	21.7–34.3	15.6	42.1	33.2	49.4	12.1
1911	28.5	21.7–34.3	15.8	42.1	33.2	49.4	12.1
1910	28.5	21.7–34.3	15.8	42.1	33.2	49.4	12.1
1909	27.9	21.4–33.9	14.7	41.1	32.3	49.4	12.1
1908	27.8	21.3–33.7	14.3	41.1	32.3	49.4	12.1
1907	26.6	20.0–32.3	11.2	41.1	31.9	49.3	11.4
1906	20.3	14.4–25.6	7.1	37.9	29.7	24.5	11.2
1905	20.2	14.3–25.3	7.0	37.9	29.3	24.5	11.2
1904	20.0	14.2–25.2	7.0	37.9	28.2	24.5	11.2
1903	20.0	14.2–25.2	7.0	37.9	28.2	24.5	11.2
1902	18.9	12.8–23.6	6.8	35.1	27.5	23.5	10.0
1901	18.4	12.6–23.3	6.7	35.1	25.4	23.5	9.5
1900	15.7	10.3–20.0	6.5	33.0	16.4	19.5	9.2

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Philippines 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

#109Togo48.3 #110Ivory Coast48.2 #112Paraguay47.9 #113Mexico47.1

All rankings

How democratic isPhilippines?

Philippines, 1975–2025

Investigations put past state violence under scrutiny

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.

Philippines score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Philippines?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.