2025 country profile

How democratic is
Somaliland?

Somaliland scores 48.5 out of 100 and ranks 108 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

48.5out of 100Major democratic constraints

2025 rank108 of 179

10-year change+4.0

25-year change+14.3

Source-bound range40.3–56.6

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

Somaliland, 1991–2025

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

A delayed presidential election finally produced a transfer

An election originally due in 2022 was held successfully, and the winner replaced an incumbent who had remained beyond the original mandate. This restored an electoral basis for executive authority. It should be read alongside continuing concerns about delayed elections, minority representation, and restrictions on civil liberties.

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 Somaliland rose 4.0 points, from 44.5 to 48.5 between 2015 and 2025. All five areas improved. Rights and checks contributed the largest upward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Rights and checks

The evidence points toward stronger civil liberties, equality before the law, or constraints on executive power.

Area score: 51.1 → 58.0
Approx. contribution to overall change: +1.3 points

Another important influence

Political equality

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

Area score: 26.9 → 31.8
Approx. contribution to overall change: +1.3 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.

2016–2017−0.7 points
The overall score fell from 44.6 to 43.9. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2023–2024+2.3 points
The overall score rose from 44.4 to 46.7. Political equality supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2024–2025+1.8 points
The overall score rose from 46.7 to 48.5. Elections supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 48.5 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
Rights and checks	51.1	58.0	+6.9	+1.3
Political equality	26.9	31.8	+4.9	+1.3
Elections	40.1	44.5	+4.4	+0.9
Public reasoning	56.7	59.5	+2.8	+0.5
Participation	51.4	51.8	+0.4	+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?

44.5

Rights and checks on power

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

58.0

Public participation

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

51.8

Public reasoning

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

59.5

Political equality

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

31.8

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

Somaliland score table

Download Somaliland CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	48.5	40.3–56.6	44.5	58.0	51.8	59.5	31.8
2024	46.7	38.8–54.8	42.0	55.4	51.0	58.4	29.8
2023	44.4	36.5–52.1	40.2	52.3	50.8	55.1	27.2
2022	44.0	35.7–51.5	40.8	51.4	50.8	55.6	25.4
2021	44.2	36.3–52.1	40.6	51.4	50.7	53.6	27.7
2020	43.8	36.2–51.8	39.9	50.5	50.7	54.0	27.3
2019	43.7	35.9–51.6	39.5	51.9	50.0	54.0	26.5
2018	43.7	35.8–51.4	40.0	51.4	50.3	53.1	27.1
2017	43.9	36.0–51.8	41.3	51.9	50.6	52.5	26.6
2016	44.6	36.5–52.0	40.8	51.7	51.1	55.9	27.1
2015	44.5	37.3–52.6	40.1	51.1	51.4	56.7	26.9
2014	44.5	37.0–52.5	40.1	51.1	51.7	56.7	26.7
2013	44.6	36.8–52.2	40.2	51.1	52.0	56.7	26.9
2012	47.7	40.1–55.1	43.6	50.5	53.8	61.6	31.9
2011	47.5	39.5–55.0	43.6	50.5	54.1	59.5	32.3
2010	46.7	39.7–54.8	41.4	50.1	55.0	57.8	31.8
2009	45.8	38.9–53.8	39.3	49.8	53.2	57.8	31.5
2008	45.8	38.9–53.9	39.3	49.8	53.5	57.8	31.5
2007	45.9	39.0–53.9	39.3	49.8	53.8	57.8	31.5
2006	46.0	38.7–53.7	39.4	49.8	54.1	57.8	31.5
2005	45.6	38.3–53.3	38.4	49.0	54.4	57.6	31.5
2004	45.3	37.9–52.9	37.8	48.3	54.4	57.6	31.3
2003	44.8	37.4–52.3	35.6	48.3	54.4	57.6	31.3
2002	38.8	31.7–45.6	19.8	45.5	54.4	49.2	31.3
2001	35.4	28.4–41.9	17.9	44.0	39.9	49.2	31.3
2000	34.2	27.6–41.3	17.0	44.1	34.2	49.6	31.3
1999	34.1	27.4–41.3	17.0	43.8	33.9	49.6	31.3
1998	34.0	27.6–41.4	17.0	43.4	33.9	49.6	31.3
1997	32.9	26.2–39.7	17.3	41.0	33.9	47.5	29.4
1996	32.1	25.5–39.1	17.0	40.3	30.7	47.5	29.5
1995	32.1	25.5–39.1	17.0	40.3	30.7	47.5	29.5
1994	31.9	25.2–38.9	17.0	38.1	30.7	47.5	30.7
1993	30.3	23.5–37.3	16.2	38.0	30.7	42.0	28.6
1992	26.8	20.1–33.1	14.2	26.1	27.1	42.0	28.6
1991	29.0	22.6–35.3	14.2	26.1	31.4	50.1	28.6
1959	19.8	12.9–24.5	11.6	54.8	19.4	6.7	18.7
1958	17.5	11.3–21.7	11.0	54.8	19.4	2.3	18.7
1957	15.7	9.8–19.7	11.0	40.7	19.4	2.3	18.7
1956	14.9	9.3–18.8	9.3	40.7	19.4	2.3	15.9
1955	14.7	9.1–18.5	8.6	40.7	19.4	2.3	15.9
1954	14.6	9.0–18.4	8.2	40.7	19.4	2.3	15.9
1953	14.3	8.6–17.8	7.2	40.7	19.2	2.3	15.9
1952	14.3	8.6–17.8	7.2	40.7	19.2	2.3	15.9
1951	13.0	5.8–16.2	7.2	40.7	19.2	1.0	14.1
1950	13.0	5.8–16.2	7.2	40.7	19.2	1.0	14.1
1949	12.9	5.8–16.1	7.2	40.7	19.2	1.0	13.8
1948	12.9	5.8–16.1	7.2	40.7	19.2	1.0	13.8
1947	12.9	5.8–16.1	7.2	40.7	19.2	1.0	13.8
1946	12.7	5.7–15.8	6.3	40.7	19.2	1.0	13.8
1945	12.7	5.7–15.8	6.3	40.7	19.2	1.0	13.8
1944	12.7	5.7–15.8	6.3	40.7	19.2	1.0	13.8
1943	12.7	5.7–15.8	6.3	40.7	19.2	1.0	13.8
1942	12.7	5.7–15.7	6.1	40.7	19.2	1.0	13.8
1941	12.7	5.7–15.7	6.1	40.7	19.2	1.0	13.8
1940	11.7	5.4–14.8	5.5	40.4	15.2	1.0	12.9
1939	11.4	5.4–14.7	5.5	40.2	15.2	1.0	10.9
1938	11.4	5.4–14.7	5.5	40.2	15.2	1.0	10.9
1937	11.4	5.4–14.7	5.5	40.2	15.2	1.0	10.9
1936	11.4	5.4–14.5	5.3	40.2	16.9	0.8	10.9
1935	11.4	5.4–14.5	5.3	40.2	16.9	0.8	10.9
1934	11.2	5.4–14.3	4.7	40.2	16.9	0.8	10.9
1933	11.2	5.4–14.3	4.7	40.2	16.9	0.8	10.9
1932	11.2	5.4–14.3	4.7	40.2	16.9	0.8	10.9
1931	11.2	5.4–14.3	4.7	40.2	16.9	0.8	10.9
1930	11.2	5.4–14.3	4.7	40.2	16.9	0.8	10.9
1929	11.2	5.3–14.2	4.7	40.1	16.9	0.8	10.9
1928	11.2	5.3–14.2	4.7	40.1	16.9	0.8	10.9
1927	11.2	5.3–14.2	4.7	40.1	16.9	0.8	10.9
1926	11.2	5.3–14.2	4.7	40.1	16.9	0.8	10.9
1925	11.2	5.3–14.2	4.7	40.1	16.9	0.8	10.9
1924	11.2	5.3–14.2	4.7	40.1	16.9	0.8	10.9
1923	11.2	5.3–14.2	4.7	40.1	16.9	0.8	10.9
1922	11.2	5.3–14.2	4.7	39.8	16.9	0.8	10.9
1921	11.0	5.2–14.1	4.7	38.6	16.9	0.8	10.9
1920	10.9	5.1–13.9	4.7	38.6	16.9	0.8	10.2
1919	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1918	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1917	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1916	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1915	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1914	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1913	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1912	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1911	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1910	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1909	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1908	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1907	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1906	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1905	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1904	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1903	10.9	5.1–13.8	4.7	38.5	16.9	0.8	10.2
1902	10.4	4.9–13.2	3.5	37.8	16.9	0.8	9.6
1901	10.3	4.9–13.1	3.5	37.8	16.9	0.8	9.2
1900	10.3	4.9–13.1	3.5	37.8	16.9	0.8	9.2

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Somaliland 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

#106Zanzibar49.9 #107India49.1 #109Togo48.3 #110Ivory Coast48.2

All rankings

How democratic isSomaliland?

Somaliland, 1991–2025

A delayed presidential election finally produced a transfer

Rights and checks

Political equality

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.

Somaliland score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Somaliland?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.