2025 country profile

How democratic is
Romania?

Romania scores 60.2 out of 100 and ranks 79 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

60.2out of 100Substantial but incomplete

2025 rank79 of 179

10-year change−13.0

25-year change−3.9

Source-bound range52.5–69.3

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

Romania, 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

A rerun restored an electoral path after annulment

A presidential election proceeded without major disruption and was broadly accepted by monitors and participants. It followed the annulment of the prior year’s vote. The sequence matters: an electoral crisis and its subsequent resolution can produce very different readings depending on which years are compared.

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 Romania fell 13.0 points, from 73.2 to 60.2 between 2015 and 2025. All five areas declined. Public reasoning contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation. The latest year moved in the opposite direction (+2.8), so the longer trend is not the whole story.

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: 69.1 → 38.5
Approx. contribution to overall change: −6.9 points

Another important influence

Elections

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

Area score: 71.6 → 60.5
Approx. contribution to overall change: −2.2 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.

2016–2017−16.4 points
The overall score fell from 77.5 to 61.1. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2019–2020+6.0 points
The overall score rose from 64.4 to 70.4. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2021–2022−8.7 points
The overall score fell from 71.5 to 62.8. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 77.5 in 2016. 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	69.1	38.5	−30.6	−6.9
Elections	71.6	60.5	−11.1	−2.2
Rights and checks	85.4	74.7	−10.7	−2.0
Political equality	75.3	66.4	−8.9	−1.7
Participation	65.5	64.7	−0.8	−0.2

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?

60.5

Rights and checks on power

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

74.7

Public participation

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

64.7

Public reasoning

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

38.5

Political equality

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

66.4

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

Romania score table

Download Romania CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	60.2	52.5–69.3	60.5	74.7	64.7	38.5	66.4
2024	57.4	48.6–65.7	62.8	67.7	62.3	32.2	66.8
2023	60.0	51.0–68.3	67.7	71.3	65.2	33.6	67.3
2022	62.8	54.3–70.8	69.1	76.7	68.9	38.2	65.3
2021	71.5	64.5–79.7	76.6	77.8	72.7	64.8	66.0
2020	70.4	62.6–78.2	80.5	83.2	71.1	49.1	71.0
2019	64.4	56.1–72.5	75.0	70.5	71.0	39.1	70.4
2018	59.8	50.9–67.1	69.2	65.8	64.7	33.5	71.0
2017	61.1	52.9–68.6	69.5	74.2	59.1	36.3	71.2
2016	77.5	72.6–83.7	73.3	86.5	64.2	89.7	75.1
2015	73.2	66.8–80.3	71.6	85.4	65.5	69.1	75.3
2014	71.2	64.3–78.7	67.6	84.4	65.1	64.6	75.3
2013	71.3	64.6–79.1	67.2	83.6	65.8	64.6	76.1
2012	70.1	64.2–78.6	67.4	78.7	65.5	61.6	78.3
2011	70.8	63.9–78.2	68.4	79.9	65.2	63.7	77.8
2010	70.8	64.1–78.3	68.0	79.9	65.4	63.7	77.8
2009	69.7	62.7–77.3	66.6	78.1	65.1	61.5	78.0
2008	68.8	61.6–76.2	62.1	78.4	64.9	61.5	78.0
2007	68.2	61.8–76.3	60.9	77.7	65.0	61.5	77.1
2006	66.9	60.0–74.8	61.1	74.6	61.2	61.5	77.0
2005	67.0	60.2–74.9	61.0	74.6	61.6	61.5	77.0
2004	63.9	56.3–72.0	59.2	70.3	60.5	53.2	77.9
2003	63.9	56.1–72.0	60.9	67.9	60.9	53.2	77.9
2002	62.2	54.5–70.1	59.7	66.7	56.4	52.1	77.8
2001	62.4	54.5–70.1	59.7	67.1	56.8	52.1	77.8
2000	64.1	56.3–71.9	61.1	67.1	56.5	59.3	77.4
1999	64.1	56.5–72.0	61.9	65.8	56.8	59.3	77.9
1998	64.4	57.0–72.4	61.9	66.8	57.2	59.3	77.9
1997	64.6	57.1–72.5	61.9	66.8	57.6	59.3	78.5
1996	63.5	55.8–71.5	57.3	66.8	58.1	58.5	78.2
1995	61.6	54.4–70.2	56.2	65.1	56.6	52.9	78.9
1994	61.6	54.4–70.2	56.2	65.1	56.6	52.9	78.9
1993	61.6	54.4–70.2	56.2	65.1	56.6	52.9	78.9
1992	60.3	53.2–69.0	55.3	59.6	56.5	52.9	78.9
1991	57.5	49.5–66.4	54.5	53.0	50.1	52.9	78.9
1990	54.8	46.7–63.4	52.2	49.0	43.7	52.9	78.9
1989	19.8	14.7–23.1	18.5	8.6	17.1	2.4	81.8
1988	19.3	14.3–22.4	18.5	8.6	17.1	1.7	81.8
1987	19.3	14.3–22.4	18.5	8.6	17.1	1.7	81.8
1986	19.3	14.3–22.4	18.5	8.6	17.1	1.7	81.8
1985	18.2	13.3–21.3	18.6	8.6	11.1	1.7	81.8
1984	18.2	13.3–21.2	18.6	8.6	11.1	1.7	81.8
1983	18.2	13.3–21.2	18.6	8.6	11.1	1.7	81.8
1982	18.2	13.3–21.2	18.6	8.6	11.1	1.7	81.8
1981	18.2	13.3–21.2	18.6	8.6	11.1	1.7	81.8
1980	18.2	13.2–21.1	18.6	8.6	11.1	1.7	82.2
1979	18.2	13.2–21.1	18.6	8.6	11.1	1.7	82.2
1978	18.2	13.2–21.1	18.6	8.6	11.1	1.7	82.2
1977	18.2	13.2–21.1	18.6	8.6	11.1	1.7	82.2
1976	18.2	13.2–21.1	18.6	8.6	11.1	1.7	82.2
1975	18.2	13.2–21.1	18.6	8.6	11.1	1.7	82.2
1974	18.2	13.2–21.1	18.6	8.6	11.1	1.7	82.2
1973	18.2	13.2–21.1	18.6	8.6	11.1	1.7	82.2
1972	18.2	13.2–21.1	18.6	8.6	11.1	1.7	82.2
1971	19.7	14.8–23.0	18.6	8.6	11.2	4.2	82.2
1970	20.3	15.1–23.6	18.6	8.7	11.2	5.7	82.2
1969	20.4	15.1–23.7	18.6	8.7	11.2	5.7	82.8
1968	20.0	14.3–23.5	18.6	8.7	9.5	5.7	82.8
1967	19.9	14.4–23.6	18.6	8.7	9.5	5.7	82.1
1966	19.9	14.4–23.6	18.6	8.7	9.5	5.7	82.1
1965	20.2	14.9–23.9	18.7	8.6	9.7	6.4	82.4
1964	19.2	13.9–22.8	18.7	8.4	9.7	4.0	82.4
1963	19.2	13.9–22.8	18.7	8.4	9.7	4.0	82.4
1962	18.6	13.6–22.0	18.7	8.1	9.7	2.9	82.4
1961	18.6	13.6–22.0	18.6	8.1	9.7	2.9	82.4
1960	17.9	13.0–21.2	15.4	7.4	10.3	2.9	81.4
1959	17.0	12.0–20.0	15.4	7.2	10.5	1.6	81.1
1958	17.0	12.0–20.0	15.4	7.2	10.5	1.6	81.1
1957	17.0	12.0–20.0	15.4	7.2	10.5	1.6	81.1
1956	17.0	11.8–19.8	15.1	7.1	10.5	1.6	81.3
1955	16.9	11.8–19.7	15.1	6.9	10.5	1.6	81.3
1954	16.9	11.8–19.7	15.1	6.9	10.5	1.6	81.3
1953	16.9	11.8–19.7	15.1	6.9	10.5	1.6	81.3
1952	16.6	11.6–19.4	13.6	6.9	10.5	1.6	81.3
1951	16.6	11.5–19.3	13.4	6.9	10.5	1.6	81.4
1950	16.6	11.5–19.3	13.4	6.9	10.5	1.6	81.4
1949	17.4	12.7–20.3	13.5	7.0	15.8	1.6	79.1
1948	19.2	14.5–22.6	13.7	8.1	16.1	4.3	78.1
1947	19.3	14.3–23.2	14.6	13.5	14.9	4.3	68.6
1946	20.0	14.3–24.5	13.3	16.8	26.6	4.3	54.6
1945	19.4	13.0–23.9	13.4	19.2	26.6	5.2	43.2
1944	16.7	10.8–20.6	10.6	15.2	28.8	3.7	36.7
1943	18.7	12.5–22.9	11.3	21.1	28.8	5.5	36.0
1942	18.6	12.4–22.7	11.3	20.8	28.8	5.5	36.0
1941	19.0	12.7–23.1	11.3	20.1	32.1	5.5	36.0
1940	19.7	14.1–24.6	11.3	21.1	28.8	8.4	36.0
1939	17.9	12.0–22.4	12.8	22.3	20.7	5.3	36.8
1938	19.4	13.1–24.0	13.0	26.7	24.7	5.3	36.8
1937	34.2	26.8–41.1	20.8	39.7	27.7	48.7	37.9
1936	35.0	27.3–41.7	21.8	42.4	27.7	48.7	38.1
1935	35.0	27.3–41.7	21.8	42.4	27.7	48.7	38.1
1934	35.0	27.3–41.7	21.8	42.4	27.7	48.7	38.1
1933	35.0	27.4–41.8	21.6	42.4	27.7	48.7	38.1
1932	35.1	27.4–41.8	22.0	42.4	27.7	48.7	38.1
1931	35.1	27.5–41.9	22.1	42.4	27.7	48.7	38.1
1930	35.1	27.3–41.7	22.1	42.4	27.7	48.7	38.1
1929	35.5	28.2–42.5	23.8	42.8	27.3	48.7	38.1
1928	35.4	28.2–42.4	23.5	42.8	27.3	48.7	38.1
1927	35.5	28.2–42.5	23.5	42.9	27.3	48.7	38.1
1926	35.4	28.2–42.4	23.1	42.9	27.3	48.7	38.1
1925	35.8	28.4–42.8	22.7	45.8	27.3	48.7	38.1
1924	35.5	28.2–42.3	22.3	44.7	27.3	48.7	38.1
1923	34.8	27.7–41.9	23.3	44.2	27.3	48.7	34.0
1922	34.7	27.4–41.6	23.3	43.7	27.3	48.7	34.0
1921	34.8	27.4–41.7	23.6	43.7	27.3	48.7	34.0
1920	34.8	27.6–41.9	23.5	43.7	27.3	48.7	34.0
1919	34.1	26.6–40.8	23.9	42.0	27.3	46.0	33.7
1918	32.9	25.4–39.6	23.0	40.3	27.3	46.0	30.4
1917	31.7	24.2–38.0	23.2	39.8	27.3	39.4	30.4
1916	31.7	24.3–38.1	23.2	40.2	27.3	39.4	30.4
1915	31.9	24.5–38.3	23.7	40.5	27.3	39.4	30.4
1914	31.8	24.4–38.2	23.7	40.5	27.3	38.6	30.4
1913	32.2	24.7–38.8	23.9	42.9	27.3	38.6	30.4
1912	32.2	24.7–38.7	23.9	42.9	27.3	38.6	30.4
1911	32.2	24.7–38.7	23.8	42.9	27.3	38.6	30.4
1910	32.3	24.7–38.8	24.0	42.9	27.3	38.6	30.4
1909	32.3	24.7–38.8	24.0	42.9	27.3	38.6	30.4
1908	32.3	24.7–38.8	24.0	42.9	27.3	38.6	30.4
1907	32.1	24.7–38.7	23.5	42.9	27.3	38.6	30.4
1906	32.2	24.7–38.7	23.8	42.9	27.3	38.6	30.4
1905	32.2	24.7–38.7	23.8	42.9	27.3	38.6	30.4
1904	32.2	24.8–38.8	23.9	42.9	27.3	38.6	30.4
1903	32.2	24.8–38.8	23.9	42.9	27.3	38.6	30.4
1902	32.2	24.8–38.8	23.9	42.9	27.3	38.6	30.4
1901	32.2	24.7–38.8	23.8	42.9	27.3	38.6	30.4
1900	32.2	24.7–38.7	23.8	42.9	27.3	38.6	30.4

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Romania 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

#77Malaysia60.6 #78Tanzania60.3 #80Kosovo60.1 #81Peru59.7

All rankings

How democratic isRomania?

Romania, 1975–2025

A rerun restored an electoral path after annulment

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.

Romania score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Romania?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.