2025 country profile

How democratic is
Republic of the Congo?

Republic of the Congo scores 34.6 out of 100 and ranks 133 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

34.6out of 100Far from the standard

2025 rank133 of 179

10-year change+4.8

25-year change+8.6

Source-bound range26.5–41.0

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

Republic of the Congo, 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

Criticism of corruption led to a lawmaker’s detention

A legislator was detained after publicly criticizing corruption and failures of the security services; parliament then lifted his immunity and charges followed. Freedom House presents the case as part of the political context. Charges are not findings of guilt, and the democratic issue is whether officeholders can scrutinize government without retaliation.

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 Republic of the Congo rose 4.8 points, from 29.8 to 34.6 between 2015 and 2025. 4 of the five areas improved while 1 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. Participation contributed the largest upward push in the score calculation. The latest year moved in the opposite direction (−2.1), so the longer trend is not the whole story.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Participation

The evidence rates opportunities to participate through civic organizations, direct democracy, and local or regional institutions more favorably.

Area score: 34.2 → 53.0
Approx. contribution to overall change: +3.3 points

Moving in the other direction

Elections

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

Area score: 24.9 → 24.3
Approx. contribution to overall change: −0.1 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+3.1 points
The overall score rose from 29.6 to 32.7. Participation supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2017–2018+2.3 points
The overall score rose from 32.7 to 35.0. Political equality supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2019–2020+2.3 points
The overall score rose from 35.2 to 37.5. Rights and checks supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 37.5 in 2020. 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
Participation	34.2	53.0	+18.8	+3.3
Rights and checks	24.1	28.7	+4.6	+1.0
Political equality	24.5	26.4	+1.9	+0.4
Public reasoning	43.4	44.7	+1.3	+0.2
Elections	24.9	24.3	−0.6	−0.1

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?

24.3

Rights and checks on power

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

28.7

Public participation

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

53.0

Public reasoning

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

44.7

Political equality

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

26.4

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

Republic of the Congo score table

Download Republic of the Congo CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	34.6	26.5–41.0	24.3	28.7	53.0	44.7	26.4
2024	36.7	28.6–43.6	25.5	28.9	54.4	42.0	36.0
2023	37.2	29.5–44.4	25.3	29.9	55.1	43.2	35.8
2022	36.9	29.1–43.5	24.3	28.4	54.8	45.3	35.9
2021	37.3	29.7–44.1	25.4	28.2	55.2	45.3	36.1
2020	37.5	29.6–44.2	25.7	28.6	55.5	45.3	36.0
2019	35.2	27.8–42.5	25.0	23.5	52.0	45.6	34.1
2018	35.0	27.2–42.0	25.8	25.9	52.4	42.5	32.0
2017	32.7	25.4–39.6	25.2	24.1	51.2	42.5	24.6
2016	29.6	22.4–36.3	24.7	24.0	34.2	42.5	24.5
2015	29.8	22.0–36.0	24.9	24.1	34.2	43.4	24.5
2014	29.3	22.0–35.9	24.9	23.9	32.1	43.1	24.5
2013	29.5	22.2–36.1	24.9	23.9	32.4	44.2	24.5
2012	27.9	20.6–33.8	25.4	21.4	31.7	40.1	22.9
2011	27.8	20.6–33.7	25.5	21.4	32.0	40.1	22.0
2010	27.9	20.7–33.8	25.5	21.4	32.7	40.1	22.0
2009	28.1	20.9–33.9	25.5	21.4	33.3	40.1	22.5
2008	28.4	21.8–34.5	25.2	21.7	34.0	40.8	22.5
2007	28.6	21.9–34.7	25.4	21.7	34.7	40.8	22.5
2006	28.7	22.1–34.9	25.7	21.7	35.3	40.8	22.5
2005	28.8	22.1–35.0	25.7	21.7	35.7	40.8	22.5
2004	28.9	22.2–35.0	25.7	21.7	36.1	40.8	22.5
2003	28.8	22.2–35.1	25.7	21.7	36.5	40.8	21.7
2002	27.8	21.1–33.7	20.8	21.7	37.7	40.8	21.1
2001	25.8	19.4–31.6	16.0	21.7	33.1	40.8	21.1
2000	26.0	19.2–31.6	16.3	21.7	33.5	41.2	21.1
1999	26.4	19.7–32.3	16.5	21.7	33.9	42.0	21.5
1998	26.7	19.8–32.9	16.5	23.1	34.3	42.0	21.5
1997	26.6	19.6–32.2	24.3	12.9	38.2	43.4	20.3
1996	51.9	44.3–59.8	45.0	57.9	57.1	67.9	34.9
1995	51.6	43.8–59.6	45.0	56.3	57.1	67.9	34.9
1994	51.6	43.8–59.5	45.0	56.3	57.1	67.9	34.9
1993	51.9	44.0–59.8	46.7	56.3	57.1	67.9	34.9
1992	46.4	39.4–53.6	33.7	42.0	58.4	68.5	34.1
1991	44.0	36.5–51.0	25.5	47.6	52.9	65.6	34.2
1990	31.7	24.1–37.0	15.7	18.7	51.4	65.6	20.5
1989	18.6	12.8–22.9	11.3	9.2	35.2	24.4	18.5
1988	18.7	12.8–23.0	11.2	9.2	35.6	24.4	18.5
1987	18.7	12.9–23.1	11.2	9.2	36.0	24.4	18.5
1986	18.8	13.0–23.2	11.2	9.2	36.4	24.4	18.5
1985	18.8	13.0–23.2	11.2	9.2	36.8	24.4	18.5
1984	18.9	13.1–23.2	11.3	9.2	37.2	24.4	18.5
1983	18.9	12.8–23.0	11.3	9.2	37.6	24.4	18.2
1982	18.9	12.8–23.0	11.3	9.2	37.6	24.4	18.2
1981	18.8	12.8–23.0	11.3	9.2	37.6	24.6	17.5
1980	18.8	12.6–22.9	11.3	9.2	37.6	24.5	17.5
1979	18.3	12.2–22.3	9.9	8.6	37.6	24.5	17.5
1978	15.1	10.2–18.8	8.8	6.2	23.9	24.1	17.4
1977	15.5	10.7–19.4	9.0	6.9	23.7	24.1	18.6
1976	17.3	12.0–21.7	11.2	10.3	23.7	25.3	19.0
1975	17.3	11.9–21.5	11.1	10.3	23.7	25.3	18.9
1974	17.4	12.0–21.6	11.1	10.7	23.7	25.3	18.9
1973	16.6	11.5–20.7	9.9	9.1	23.7	25.3	18.9
1972	15.5	10.6–19.3	8.7	7.2	21.7	25.3	18.9
1971	15.5	10.7–19.4	8.7	7.2	22.1	25.3	18.9
1970	15.7	10.8–19.6	8.7	7.2	22.5	25.3	19.8
1969	18.9	12.7–23.2	8.8	19.7	23.4	25.6	19.8
1968	19.2	13.3–23.8	8.8	20.0	24.6	26.2	19.7
1967	33.0	26.5–39.4	13.4	30.0	46.2	53.6	30.3
1966	32.9	26.5–39.4	13.2	30.0	46.2	53.6	30.3
1965	32.9	26.5–39.4	13.2	30.0	46.2	53.6	30.3
1964	32.9	26.5–39.4	13.2	30.0	46.2	53.6	30.3
1963	39.4	32.2–46.6	23.0	48.0	37.4	64.5	30.3
1962	40.1	32.7–47.5	29.2	47.4	31.7	67.6	30.1
1961	40.5	32.8–47.8	30.5	47.9	31.7	67.6	30.1
1960	38.9	31.9–46.5	24.7	49.3	31.0	66.2	30.1
1959	20.7	13.7–25.4	18.3	34.0	19.8	21.1	12.7
1958	20.8	13.8–25.6	19.1	33.8	19.8	21.1	12.7
1957	20.8	14.1–25.5	17.9	36.4	19.8	21.1	12.1
1956	19.1	12.6–23.7	11.0	36.1	19.8	21.1	12.1
1955	17.6	11.5–21.9	10.6	36.1	17.3	16.3	12.0
1954	17.3	11.1–21.6	10.6	36.1	17.3	15.2	12.0
1953	17.4	11.3–21.7	10.6	36.4	17.3	15.2	12.0
1952	17.3	11.1–21.6	10.6	36.1	17.3	15.2	12.0
1951	16.9	11.1–21.2	10.6	36.1	17.3	13.3	12.0
1950	16.8	10.9–21.1	10.0	36.1	17.3	13.3	12.0
1949	16.8	10.9–21.1	10.0	36.1	17.3	13.3	12.0
1948	16.8	10.9–21.1	10.0	36.1	17.3	13.3	12.0
1947	16.8	10.9–21.1	10.0	36.1	17.3	13.3	12.0
1946	12.6	7.8–16.1	4.3	19.5	17.3	13.3	12.0
1945	11.8	7.1–15.3	3.6	19.3	17.3	11.6	11.2
1944	10.2	6.1–13.0	2.6	19.2	19.5	5.4	10.9
1943	9.9	5.9–12.5	2.6	19.2	19.5	4.2	10.9
1942	9.9	5.9–12.5	2.6	19.2	19.5	4.2	10.9
1941	9.9	5.9–12.5	2.6	19.2	19.5	4.2	10.9
1940	9.9	5.9–12.5	2.6	19.2	19.5	4.2	10.9
1939	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1938	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1937	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1936	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1935	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1934	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1933	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1932	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1931	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1930	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1929	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1928	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1927	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1926	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1925	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1924	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1923	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1922	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1921	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1920	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1919	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1918	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1917	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1916	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1915	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1914	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1913	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1912	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1911	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1910	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1909	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1908	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1907	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1906	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1905	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1904	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9
1903	9.8	5.6–12.3	2.6	19.2	19.5	3.8	10.9

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Republic of the Congo Democracy Score, 1903–2025,” 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

#131Algeria35.1 #132Kuwait35.0 #134Somalia34.4 #135Ethiopia34.2

All rankings

How democratic isRepublic of the Congo?