2025 country profile

How democratic is
Somalia?

Somalia scores 34.4 out of 100 and ranks 134 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

34.4out of 100Far from the standard

2025 rank134 of 179

10-year change+6.2

25-year change+20.4

Source-bound range27.5–41.4

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

Somalia, 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

Plans for direct elections exposed disputes over the rules

Federal leaders and some state leaders announced plans for direct elections, but Jubaland’s leadership objected and proceeded through its existing indirect system. The report describes proposals and disagreement, not completed nationwide direct elections. The democratic stakes are who sets electoral rules and whether citizens can choose representatives directly.

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 Somalia rose 6.2 points, from 28.2 to 34.4 between 2015 and 2025. All five areas improved. Political equality contributed the largest upward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Political equality

The evidence rates the distribution of political influence, rights, and access across social groups more favorably.

Area score: 17.1 → 30.3
Approx. contribution to overall change: +3.0 points

Another important influence

Public reasoning

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

Area score: 49.0 → 63.2
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.

2017–2018−1.5 points
The overall score fell from 30.4 to 28.9. Rights and checks supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2020–2021+1.9 points
The overall score rose from 29.6 to 31.5. Political equality supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2022–2023+3.9 points
The overall score rose from 31.6 to 35.5. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 35.5 in 2023. 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
Political equality	17.1	30.3	+13.2	+3.0
Public reasoning	49.0	63.2	+14.2	+2.2
Participation	26.1	29.1	+3.0	+0.6
Rights and checks	39.3	41.0	+1.7	+0.3
Elections	16.2	16.5	+0.3	+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?

16.5

Rights and checks on power

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

41.0

Public participation

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

29.1

Public reasoning

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

63.2

Political equality

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

30.3

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

Somalia score table

Download Somalia CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	34.4	27.5–41.4	16.5	41.0	29.1	63.2	30.3
2024	34.5	28.4–42.0	16.5	40.3	27.9	65.6	31.0
2023	35.5	28.8–41.5	16.7	41.4	26.9	72.8	30.6
2022	31.6	25.0–38.2	15.8	36.2	27.6	56.8	28.2
2021	31.5	24.8–38.0	16.1	34.9	27.9	56.9	28.2
2020	29.6	23.3–36.2	15.4	33.3	27.2	57.7	21.7
2019	29.3	22.7–35.8	14.8	33.2	25.5	58.2	22.5
2018	28.9	22.9–36.0	15.4	33.9	25.5	54.7	21.7
2017	30.4	23.5–36.7	16.7	38.8	27.2	53.8	21.8
2016	28.9	22.6–35.4	16.0	34.7	26.2	51.5	21.8
2015	28.2	21.9–35.2	16.2	39.3	26.1	49.0	17.1
2014	27.7	21.0–34.1	16.2	37.4	26.1	51.3	15.3
2013	27.4	20.4–33.6	16.2	37.4	26.1	49.1	15.3
2012	26.1	20.4–32.8	16.7	33.1	26.0	45.1	14.9
2011	24.8	18.1–30.5	19.0	30.2	25.0	42.7	12.3
2010	23.5	16.8–29.1	18.6	29.7	25.1	38.8	10.7
2009	22.1	16.1–27.9	17.2	28.1	23.0	37.4	9.9
2008	21.3	14.6–26.8	17.2	27.9	23.0	33.8	9.5
2007	21.2	14.7–26.5	17.2	28.2	23.0	32.8	9.5
2006	20.9	14.6–26.5	17.2	27.4	23.0	30.7	10.1
2005	21.0	15.1–26.7	17.1	27.3	23.0	31.3	10.1
2004	16.9	11.4–22.0	16.6	15.5	23.0	20.9	10.1
2003	14.0	8.8–18.4	16.6	4.8	22.4	20.9	10.1
2002	14.0	8.8–18.4	16.6	4.8	22.4	20.9	10.1
2001	14.0	8.8–18.4	16.6	4.8	22.4	20.9	10.1
2000	14.0	8.9–18.5	16.7	4.8	22.4	20.9	10.1
1999	13.3	8.2–17.6	15.8	4.6	19.8	19.8	10.5
1998	13.3	8.2–17.6	15.8	4.6	19.8	19.8	10.5
1997	13.3	8.2–17.6	15.8	4.6	19.8	19.8	10.5
1996	13.3	8.2–17.6	15.8	4.6	19.8	19.8	10.5
1995	13.3	8.2–17.6	15.8	4.6	19.8	19.8	10.5
1994	13.3	8.3–17.6	15.7	4.6	19.8	19.8	10.5
1993	13.2	8.2–17.6	15.6	4.6	19.8	19.8	10.5
1992	13.2	8.0–17.4	15.1	4.7	19.8	19.8	10.5
1991	12.1	6.9–16.0	13.2	9.8	11.9	14.5	11.6
1990	12.0	7.0–15.2	14.4	9.8	13.4	5.8	18.7
1989	12.1	7.3–15.3	14.3	10.5	13.2	4.1	22.3
1988	12.1	7.3–15.3	14.3	10.5	13.2	4.1	22.3
1987	12.1	7.3–15.3	14.3	10.5	13.2	4.1	22.3
1986	12.1	7.3–15.3	14.2	10.5	13.2	4.1	22.3
1985	12.1	7.3–15.3	14.2	10.5	13.2	4.1	22.3
1984	12.1	7.3–15.3	14.4	10.5	13.2	4.1	22.3
1983	12.1	7.3–15.3	14.4	10.5	13.2	4.1	22.3
1982	12.1	7.3–15.3	14.4	10.5	13.2	4.1	22.3
1981	12.1	7.4–15.4	14.4	10.5	13.2	4.1	22.3
1980	10.9	6.4–14.0	8.4	10.5	13.2	4.1	22.3
1979	11.0	6.8–14.0	7.5	6.4	16.6	6.0	22.4
1978	10.5	6.3–13.4	7.6	6.1	14.2	6.0	22.4
1977	10.5	6.3–13.4	7.6	6.1	14.4	6.0	22.4
1976	10.6	6.4–13.5	7.6	6.1	14.7	6.0	22.4
1975	10.6	6.5–13.6	7.6	6.1	15.0	6.0	22.4
1974	10.7	6.6–13.7	7.6	6.1	15.2	6.0	22.4
1973	10.7	6.6–13.7	7.6	6.1	15.5	6.0	22.4
1972	10.8	6.6–13.7	7.6	6.1	15.8	6.0	22.4
1971	10.8	6.6–13.8	7.6	6.1	16.0	6.0	22.4
1970	10.8	6.6–13.8	7.6	6.0	16.3	6.0	22.4
1969	23.2	16.2–29.2	21.0	28.5	22.5	18.1	26.8
1968	30.0	21.9–36.4	33.5	53.4	24.9	18.1	25.3
1967	32.3	24.4–39.4	33.5	53.4	25.1	27.3	25.6
1966	32.3	24.5–39.5	33.5	53.4	25.4	27.3	25.6
1965	32.7	24.7–39.9	33.9	54.6	25.7	27.3	25.6
1964	32.9	24.9–40.2	35.1	54.6	25.7	27.3	25.6
1963	33.1	25.1–40.5	36.1	54.6	25.6	27.3	25.6
1962	33.1	25.1–40.5	36.1	54.6	25.6	27.3	25.6
1961	33.1	25.0–40.5	36.2	54.6	25.6	27.3	25.6
1960	33.5	24.7–40.5	35.3	55.3	28.2	26.5	25.9
1959	23.3	15.4–28.9	26.8	45.2	25.9	14.2	11.5
1958	23.4	15.4–28.9	26.9	45.2	25.9	14.2	11.5
1957	23.4	15.4–28.9	26.9	45.2	25.9	14.2	11.5
1956	23.3	15.5–28.9	26.9	45.1	25.9	14.2	11.2
1955	15.8	9.4–20.4	8.4	22.8	25.9	14.2	11.2
1954	14.5	8.8–18.9	7.1	22.9	25.0	10.5	11.2
1953	14.4	8.8–18.8	7.1	23.2	23.8	10.5	11.2
1952	14.4	8.8–18.8	7.1	23.2	23.8	10.5	11.2
1951	14.4	8.8–18.8	7.1	23.2	23.8	10.5	11.2
1950	13.5	7.9–17.5	6.7	20.6	23.8	9.2	10.9
1949	10.1	5.0–13.4	4.9	21.2	10.0	6.9	10.5
1948	9.5	4.6–12.8	4.9	21.2	7.4	6.9	10.5
1947	9.5	4.6–12.8	4.9	21.2	7.4	6.9	10.5
1946	9.1	4.4–12.1	4.4	21.2	7.4	5.6	10.5
1945	9.1	4.3–12.1	4.3	21.2	7.4	5.6	10.5
1944	9.1	4.4–12.1	4.4	21.2	7.4	5.6	10.5
1943	8.6	4.1–11.5	4.4	21.2	7.4	3.8	10.5
1942	8.6	4.1–11.5	4.4	21.2	7.4	3.8	10.5
1941	8.1	3.9–10.9	4.0	21.2	7.1	2.8	10.3
1940	6.9	3.2–9.3	2.9	21.6	5.6	1.4	10.2
1939	6.7	3.1–8.9	3.3	21.2	6.5	1.4	7.2
1938	6.7	3.1–8.9	3.3	21.2	6.5	1.4	7.2
1937	6.7	3.1–8.9	3.3	21.2	6.5	1.4	7.2
1936	6.5	3.0–8.8	3.3	19.8	6.5	1.4	7.2
1935	6.5	3.0–8.8	3.3	19.8	6.5	1.4	7.2
1934	6.5	3.0–8.8	3.3	19.8	6.5	1.4	7.2
1933	6.5	3.0–8.8	3.3	19.8	6.5	1.4	7.2
1932	6.5	3.0–8.8	3.3	19.8	6.5	1.4	7.2
1931	6.5	3.0–8.8	3.3	19.8	6.5	1.4	7.2
1930	6.5	3.0–8.8	3.3	19.8	6.5	1.4	7.2
1929	6.3	2.9–8.5	3.3	19.8	6.5	1.4	6.0
1928	6.3	2.9–8.5	3.3	19.8	6.5	1.4	6.0
1927	6.3	2.9–8.5	3.3	19.8	6.5	1.4	6.0
1926	6.3	2.9–8.5	3.3	19.8	6.5	1.4	6.0
1925	6.3	2.9–8.5	3.3	19.8	6.5	1.4	6.0
1924	6.3	2.9–8.5	3.3	19.8	6.5	1.4	6.0
1923	6.3	2.9–8.5	3.3	19.8	6.5	1.4	6.0
1922	6.5	3.0–8.7	3.3	21.3	6.5	1.4	6.0
1921	6.5	3.0–8.7	3.3	21.3	6.5	1.4	6.0
1920	6.5	3.0–8.7	3.3	21.3	6.5	1.4	6.0
1919	6.5	3.0–8.7	3.3	21.3	6.5	1.4	6.0
1918	6.5	3.0–8.7	3.3	21.3	6.5	1.4	6.0
1917	6.5	3.0–8.7	3.3	21.3	6.5	1.4	6.0
1916	6.5	3.0–8.7	3.3	21.3	6.5	1.4	6.0
1915	6.5	3.0–8.7	3.3	21.3	6.5	1.4	6.0
1914	6.5	3.0–8.7	3.3	21.3	6.5	1.4	6.0
1913	6.5	3.0–8.7	3.3	21.3	6.5	1.4	6.0
1912	6.5	3.0–8.7	3.3	21.3	6.5	1.4	6.0
1911	6.5	3.0–8.7	3.3	21.3	6.5	1.4	6.0
1910	6.5	3.0–8.7	3.3	21.3	6.5	1.4	6.0
1909	7.1	3.4–9.6	3.7	22.2	9.2	1.4	6.0
1908	7.1	3.4–9.6	3.7	22.2	9.2	1.4	6.0
1907	7.1	3.4–9.6	3.7	22.2	9.2	1.4	6.0
1906	7.1	3.4–9.6	3.7	22.2	9.2	1.4	6.0
1905	7.1	3.4–9.6	3.7	22.2	9.2	1.4	6.0
1904	7.1	3.4–9.6	3.7	22.2	9.2	1.4	6.0
1903	7.1	3.4–9.6	3.7	22.2	9.2	1.4	6.0
1902	7.1	3.4–9.6	3.7	22.2	9.2	1.4	6.0
1901	7.1	3.4–9.6	3.7	22.2	9.2	1.4	6.0
1900	7.1	3.4–9.6	3.7	22.2	9.2	1.4	6.0

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Somalia 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

#132Kuwait35.0 #133Republic of the Congo34.6 #135Ethiopia34.2 #136Oman33.6

All rankings

How democratic isSomalia?

Somalia, 1975–2025

Plans for direct elections exposed disputes over the rules

Political equality

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.

Somalia score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Somalia?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.