2025 country profile

How democratic is
Seychelles?

Seychelles scores 73.1 out of 100 and ranks 41 of 179 in our independent 2025 democracy measure. Its lowest-scoring test is public participation. 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

73.1out of 100Substantial but incomplete

2025 rank41 of 179

10-year change+13.3

25-year change+22.1

Source-bound range69.0–78.7

Weakest areaParticipation

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

SCORE HISTORY

Seychelles, 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

More competition broadened political participation

Freedom House links recent rotations of power and increased competition with greater participation and representation of women and different social groups. The change concerns who can enter public life, not only which party governs. Representation still needs to be assessed alongside the practical influence those groups can exercise.

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 Seychelles rose 13.3 points, from 59.8 to 73.1 between 2015 and 2025. All five areas improved. Elections contributed the largest upward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Elections

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

Area score: 51.8 → 76.0
Approx. contribution to overall change: +4.9 points

Another important influence

Public reasoning

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

Area score: 70.8 → 95.3
Approx. contribution to overall change: +4.4 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+4.1 points
The overall score rose from 59.8 to 63.9. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2018–2019+1.2 points
The overall score rose from 65.6 to 66.8. Participation supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2020–2021+2.9 points
The overall score rose from 67.7 to 70.6. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 73.1 in 2025. 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
Elections	51.8	76.0	+24.2	+4.9
Public reasoning	70.8	95.3	+24.5	+4.4
Rights and checks	79.9	90.9	+11.0	+1.9
Participation	28.4	32.0	+3.6	+1.1
Political equality	78.0	83.3	+5.3	+1.0

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?

76.0

Rights and checks on power

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

90.9

Public participation

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

32.0

Public reasoning

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

95.3

Political equality

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

83.3

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

Seychelles score table

Download Seychelles CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	73.1	69.0–78.7	76.0	90.9	32.0	95.3	83.3
2024	71.9	67.4–77.5	73.7	89.9	30.6	95.1	82.9
2023	71.6	67.1–77.2	72.8	89.7	30.6	94.7	83.1
2022	71.5	67.0–77.3	73.5	89.5	30.6	93.4	83.1
2021	70.6	65.5–76.2	71.1	91.1	30.6	92.4	80.1
2020	67.7	62.1–74.0	66.6	87.1	29.7	87.2	79.4
2019	66.8	61.3–73.6	62.1	86.5	31.5	84.5	79.8
2018	65.6	60.3–72.6	60.5	87.0	28.4	84.5	79.8
2017	64.6	59.0–71.4	59.9	85.0	28.4	82.8	78.6
2016	63.9	58.0–70.5	58.5	83.4	28.4	82.5	78.0
2015	59.8	53.3–66.8	51.8	79.9	28.4	70.8	78.0
2014	58.8	51.8–65.5	49.5	77.1	28.4	70.8	77.7
2013	58.1	51.5–65.5	49.1	76.5	27.9	68.9	77.7
2012	56.6	50.1–64.2	47.7	73.2	26.1	68.2	77.8
2011	56.7	50.1–64.2	47.9	73.7	26.1	68.2	77.8
2010	56.5	50.0–64.3	47.8	72.8	26.1	67.8	77.8
2009	56.3	49.6–64.1	47.8	72.8	25.5	67.8	77.8
2008	56.2	49.2–63.5	48.0	72.8	26.0	66.4	77.8
2007	55.8	49.4–63.8	47.4	72.6	26.0	65.4	77.5
2006	55.2	48.5–62.8	44.9	72.2	26.0	65.4	77.5
2005	55.1	48.3–62.5	44.0	72.4	26.0	65.4	77.5
2004	55.1	48.7–62.9	43.9	72.6	26.0	65.4	77.5
2003	53.3	46.6–60.8	39.6	68.0	26.0	65.4	77.5
2002	51.0	44.1–58.3	36.1	60.7	26.1	63.7	78.0
2001	50.8	44.0–58.1	35.9	60.1	26.1	63.7	78.0
2000	51.0	44.3–58.5	36.8	60.1	26.1	63.7	78.0
1999	50.5	43.5–57.9	36.8	58.9	26.1	62.0	78.0
1998	49.6	42.1–57.2	36.7	58.9	22.9	62.0	78.0
1997	49.5	41.9–57.0	36.5	58.9	22.9	62.0	78.0
1996	49.4	41.9–56.9	36.0	58.9	22.9	62.0	78.0
1995	49.4	42.1–57.1	36.2	58.9	22.9	62.0	78.0
1994	49.4	42.3–57.1	35.3	59.1	23.4	62.0	78.0
1993	50.1	43.0–57.7	34.0	59.1	26.7	62.0	78.0
1992	44.5	37.0–52.1	27.9	56.6	18.3	56.1	77.7
1991	35.5	26.9–42.0	21.8	53.5	13.1	32.4	72.5
1990	33.9	25.8–40.5	21.0	53.5	9.8	32.4	71.1
1989	33.5	25.2–40.0	20.5	51.6	9.8	32.4	71.2
1988	33.1	23.7–39.2	20.2	51.6	9.0	32.4	71.2
1987	33.2	23.7–39.2	20.7	51.6	9.0	32.4	71.2
1986	33.2	23.8–39.3	20.7	51.6	9.0	32.4	71.2
1985	33.3	23.9–39.4	20.6	52.3	9.0	32.4	71.2
1984	33.0	23.6–38.9	20.1	51.0	9.0	32.4	71.2
1983	32.9	23.4–38.8	20.1	50.8	9.0	32.4	71.2
1982	32.9	23.4–38.8	20.1	50.4	9.0	32.4	71.2
1981	32.8	23.5–38.9	20.0	49.9	9.0	32.4	71.2
1980	32.8	23.4–38.7	20.0	49.9	9.0	32.4	71.2
1979	31.2	22.1–36.9	15.0	48.3	9.0	32.4	71.0
1978	27.2	19.1–32.3	9.8	33.4	9.0	32.4	71.0
1977	30.0	22.3–36.1	17.0	39.6	8.6	32.4	69.8
1976	40.8	32.8–48.0	28.9	57.1	18.4	57.2	51.7
1975	39.0	31.5–46.4	26.6	53.3	16.1	64.9	45.2
1974	38.8	31.1–46.1	27.2	53.3	16.1	64.9	43.4
1973	40.5	32.6–47.9	31.5	53.3	18.5	64.9	43.4
1972	40.5	32.6–47.9	31.5	53.3	18.5	64.9	43.4
1971	41.6	33.8–49.3	32.9	56.7	18.5	64.9	44.2
1970	38.8	31.1–46.2	25.2	54.4	18.5	61.8	43.7
1969	37.1	29.9–44.6	23.7	51.8	17.3	61.8	41.0
1968	37.1	29.9–44.6	23.7	51.8	17.3	61.8	41.0
1967	37.1	29.9–44.6	23.5	51.8	17.3	61.8	41.0
1966	34.9	27.8–42.2	16.6	52.2	17.3	60.5	40.1
1965	33.8	26.4–40.7	16.5	52.2	17.3	54.5	39.3
1964	32.7	25.1–39.6	15.6	51.9	15.6	53.9	38.0
1963	30.2	23.3–37.6	13.2	51.9	14.7	44.6	38.0
1962	30.1	23.1–37.4	12.7	51.9	14.7	44.6	38.0
1961	30.1	23.1–37.4	12.7	51.9	14.7	44.6	38.0
1960	29.8	22.3–36.9	12.8	51.9	13.6	44.6	38.0
1959	29.2	21.2–35.8	12.8	51.9	12.0	44.6	37.5
1958	29.2	21.2–35.8	12.8	51.9	12.0	44.6	37.5
1957	29.2	21.2–35.8	12.8	51.9	12.0	44.6	37.5
1956	29.2	21.2–35.7	12.9	51.9	12.0	44.6	37.5
1955	29.2	21.2–35.7	12.9	51.9	12.0	44.6	37.5
1954	29.2	21.2–35.7	12.9	51.9	12.0	44.6	37.5
1953	29.2	21.2–35.7	12.9	51.9	12.0	44.6	37.5
1952	29.1	21.1–35.6	12.4	51.9	12.0	44.6	37.5
1951	29.1	21.1–35.6	12.4	51.9	12.0	44.6	37.5
1950	29.2	21.2–35.7	13.0	51.9	12.0	44.6	37.5
1949	29.2	21.2–35.7	13.0	51.9	12.0	44.6	37.5
1948	24.9	17.6–30.8	8.9	32.8	12.0	44.6	37.5
1947	19.5	11.9–24.3	7.0	32.8	6.2	26.8	37.5
1946	19.1	11.4–23.7	7.0	32.8	6.2	24.2	37.5
1945	18.9	11.3–23.6	6.5	32.8	6.2	24.2	37.5
1944	18.6	10.9–23.3	6.5	32.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1943	18.6	10.9–23.3	6.5	32.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1942	18.6	10.9–23.3	6.5	32.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1941	18.6	10.9–23.3	6.5	32.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1940	18.6	10.9–23.3	6.5	32.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1939	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1938	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1937	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1936	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1935	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1934	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1933	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1932	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1931	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1930	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1929	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1928	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1927	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1926	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1925	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1924	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1923	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1922	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1921	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1920	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1919	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1918	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1917	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1916	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1915	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1914	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1913	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1912	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1911	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1910	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1909	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1908	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1907	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1906	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1905	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1904	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1
1903	18.4	10.8–23.3	6.5	31.8	6.2	24.2	35.1

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Seychelles 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

#39Trinidad and Tobago75.2 #40South Africa73.8 #42Suriname73.1 #43Sri Lanka72.7

All rankings

How democratic isSeychelles?

Seychelles, 1975–2025

More competition broadened political participation

Elections

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.

Seychelles score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Seychelles?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.