2025 country profile

How democratic is
Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka scores 72.7 out of 100 and ranks 43 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

72.7out of 100Substantial but incomplete

2025 rank43 of 179

10-year change+10.0

25-year change+19.5

Source-bound range66.4–79.8

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

Sri Lanka, 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

Competition and anticorruption enforcement improved

Parties faced relatively few barriers in local elections, and authorities took steps against corruption involving prominent figures. Freedom House also reports reduced improper political influence from the military and ruling party. These developments concern the practical fairness of competition and accountability, rather than merely a change in who governs.

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 Sri Lanka rose 10.0 points, from 62.7 to 72.7 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: 55.0 → 78.3
Approx. contribution to overall change: +4.7 points

Another important influence

Political equality

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

Area score: 59.5 → 71.4
Approx. contribution to overall change: +2.4 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.

2019–2020−6.9 points
The overall score fell from 63.2 to 56.3. Rights and checks supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2023–2024+3.8 points
The overall score rose from 61.6 to 65.4. Elections supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2024–2025+7.3 points
The overall score rose from 65.4 to 72.7. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 72.7 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	55.0	78.3	+23.3	+4.7
Political equality	59.5	71.4	+11.9	+2.4
Rights and checks	68.3	75.7	+7.4	+1.4
Public reasoning	71.6	78.4	+6.8	+1.3
Participation	59.6	60.6	+1.0	+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?

78.3

Rights and checks on power

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

75.7

Public participation

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

60.6

Public reasoning

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

78.4

Political equality

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

71.4

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

Sri Lanka score table

Download Sri Lanka CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	72.7	66.4–79.8	78.3	75.7	60.6	78.4	71.4
2024	65.4	57.9–73.4	67.7	70.3	59.3	62.7	67.3
2023	61.6	53.8–70.2	58.5	69.4	55.5	60.8	64.3
2022	59.4	50.8–67.6	60.2	69.6	53.2	52.4	62.5
2021	56.7	48.7–65.4	57.2	63.6	53.7	48.8	60.7
2020	56.3	47.3–64.7	57.9	59.7	52.2	51.0	61.2
2019	63.2	55.5–71.1	56.4	75.2	55.0	64.1	66.2
2018	65.1	58.1–73.2	61.2	76.9	58.2	67.6	62.3
2017	65.9	59.3–73.3	59.1	72.9	59.9	77.4	61.3
2016	65.7	59.1–73.1	59.5	72.9	60.2	74.7	62.1
2015	62.7	55.3–70.0	55.0	68.3	59.6	71.6	59.5
2014	48.9	40.7–56.6	41.7	54.3	49.1	41.4	59.3
2013	49.1	40.5–56.6	41.8	54.5	49.6	41.6	59.3
2012	47.9	40.0–55.3	39.0	52.2	45.5	41.1	63.7
2011	47.8	40.4–55.5	38.4	52.0	45.5	42.0	63.2
2010	48.2	40.7–56.2	38.6	52.0	45.5	44.6	62.0
2009	45.8	38.3–53.6	36.6	51.6	42.6	38.1	62.5
2008	46.0	38.4–53.8	36.8	52.2	42.6	38.1	62.5
2007	46.2	38.1–53.4	37.3	52.6	42.6	38.5	62.5
2006	46.8	38.7–54.1	37.3	53.6	43.7	39.1	62.5
2005	48.5	40.2–56.4	43.5	55.3	43.6	41.5	60.1
2004	52.8	45.1–61.0	51.3	57.2	54.9	41.5	59.9
2003	54.4	46.7–62.5	52.9	57.2	54.9	47.7	59.9
2002	54.4	46.7–62.5	52.9	57.2	54.9	47.7	59.9
2001	53.8	46.1–61.8	49.6	57.2	54.9	47.7	59.9
2000	53.2	45.6–61.8	49.4	57.0	52.6	47.7	59.9
1999	53.1	45.5–61.7	52.9	57.0	48.6	47.7	59.9
1998	53.2	45.5–61.8	53.0	57.0	48.9	47.7	59.9
1997	53.5	45.8–62.2	54.4	57.0	49.2	47.7	59.9
1996	53.6	45.9–62.2	54.4	57.0	49.4	47.7	59.9
1995	53.6	45.9–62.3	54.4	57.0	49.7	47.7	59.9
1994	52.3	44.0–60.3	49.0	56.8	48.0	47.7	60.4
1993	50.1	41.8–58.2	44.9	54.6	42.8	48.8	60.4
1992	50.2	41.7–58.2	44.9	54.6	43.1	48.8	60.4
1991	49.8	41.8–58.0	44.5	53.0	43.3	48.8	60.4
1990	49.8	41.8–58.0	44.5	52.5	43.6	48.8	60.4
1989	48.9	41.1–57.3	43.5	52.0	43.8	48.8	57.2
1988	49.6	41.2–57.4	46.1	52.5	44.1	48.8	57.2
1987	49.9	41.2–58.0	47.2	53.3	42.9	48.8	57.7
1986	50.3	41.5–58.4	47.8	55.4	42.6	48.8	57.7
1985	50.5	41.6–58.5	48.0	56.3	42.6	48.8	57.7
1984	50.5	41.6–58.5	48.0	56.3	42.6	48.8	57.7
1983	50.7	41.7–58.6	48.0	57.1	42.6	48.8	57.7
1982	52.2	43.1–60.0	51.2	58.8	42.6	48.8	60.8
1981	51.9	43.2–60.0	51.9	58.8	38.6	51.4	60.2
1980	51.9	43.2–60.0	51.9	58.8	38.6	51.4	60.2
1979	52.5	43.9–60.7	54.3	61.9	37.4	51.4	59.6
1978	53.0	44.8–61.5	55.2	61.5	39.1	51.4	59.6
1977	54.1	44.8–62.4	56.5	69.9	37.6	49.0	60.4
1976	54.9	45.8–63.6	59.0	70.0	37.6	49.0	61.7
1975	54.9	45.8–63.6	59.0	70.0	37.6	49.0	61.7
1974	54.7	45.9–63.5	58.7	69.4	37.6	49.0	61.7
1973	54.7	45.8–63.6	58.8	69.2	37.6	49.0	61.7
1972	55.3	46.9–64.3	59.3	69.1	36.0	53.9	61.6
1971	55.8	47.3–64.8	60.6	69.1	36.0	53.9	62.7
1970	57.0	48.5–66.0	64.0	72.0	36.0	53.9	62.7
1969	59.0	50.6–67.9	65.9	73.3	35.4	61.3	63.2
1968	59.0	50.6–67.9	65.9	73.3	35.4	61.3	63.2
1967	59.0	50.6–67.9	65.9	73.3	35.4	61.3	63.2
1966	59.0	50.6–67.9	65.9	73.3	35.4	61.3	63.2
1965	58.8	50.1–67.3	66.1	73.4	35.4	61.3	62.3
1964	58.9	50.4–67.7	66.4	73.4	35.4	61.3	62.2
1963	58.9	50.4–67.7	66.4	73.4	35.4	61.3	62.2
1962	58.9	50.4–67.7	66.4	73.4	35.4	61.3	62.2
1961	58.9	50.5–67.8	66.6	73.4	35.4	61.3	62.2
1960	58.8	50.5–67.8	66.0	73.4	35.4	61.3	62.2
1959	57.9	49.5–66.8	63.0	73.4	35.4	61.3	60.3
1958	57.9	49.4–66.5	63.0	75.1	35.4	61.3	58.9
1957	57.9	49.2–66.2	62.9	75.5	35.4	61.3	58.9
1956	57.6	49.0–65.9	62.9	74.8	35.4	61.3	57.7
1955	57.6	49.1–65.7	63.8	76.3	35.4	61.3	55.8
1954	57.5	49.0–65.9	63.2	76.4	35.4	61.3	55.8
1953	57.6	48.9–65.7	63.4	76.4	35.4	61.3	55.8
1952	57.9	49.3–66.1	65.1	76.4	35.4	61.3	55.8
1951	56.6	48.3–64.3	67.7	76.4	34.4	61.3	48.6
1950	56.0	47.6–63.8	67.7	76.4	34.4	61.3	45.8
1949	56.2	48.2–64.2	66.4	76.6	34.4	61.3	47.6
1948	57.3	49.2–65.2	67.5	75.9	34.4	65.1	48.8
1947	46.8	39.4–54.8	42.6	70.3	23.1	61.5	44.4
1946	44.7	37.1–52.0	34.4	72.1	23.1	61.5	41.4
1945	44.6	37.0–51.9	33.7	72.1	23.1	61.5	41.4
1944	44.6	37.0–51.9	33.7	72.1	23.1	61.5	41.4
1943	43.8	36.4–51.2	33.7	72.1	23.1	61.5	37.8
1942	43.8	36.4–51.2	33.7	72.1	23.1	61.5	37.8
1941	43.5	36.0–50.8	33.7	72.1	23.1	61.5	36.4
1940	43.5	36.0–50.8	33.7	72.1	23.1	61.5	36.4
1939	43.6	36.1–50.9	34.7	72.1	23.1	61.5	35.9
1938	43.3	36.1–50.9	34.7	72.1	22.1	61.5	35.9
1937	43.3	36.1–50.9	34.7	72.1	22.1	61.5	35.9
1936	43.5	36.3–50.9	34.7	72.1	22.7	61.5	35.9
1935	42.6	34.9–50.0	34.2	72.1	20.3	61.5	35.5
1934	42.6	34.9–50.0	34.2	72.1	20.3	61.5	35.5
1933	42.6	34.9–50.0	34.2	72.1	20.3	61.5	35.5
1932	40.8	33.1–48.2	34.2	72.1	14.8	61.5	35.5
1931	39.6	32.0–46.9	28.6	72.1	14.8	61.5	35.5
1930	38.3	30.2–45.3	26.0	72.1	14.5	57.9	35.4
1929	38.1	29.8–44.9	25.7	72.1	14.5	56.9	35.4
1928	38.1	29.8–44.9	25.7	72.1	14.5	56.9	35.4
1927	38.1	29.8–44.9	25.7	72.1	14.5	56.9	35.4
1926	38.1	29.8–44.9	25.7	72.1	14.5	56.9	35.4
1925	38.1	29.8–44.9	25.7	72.1	14.5	56.9	35.4
1924	38.1	29.8–44.9	25.7	72.1	14.5	56.9	35.4
1923	38.1	29.8–44.9	25.8	72.1	14.5	56.9	35.4
1922	38.0	29.7–44.8	25.5	72.1	14.5	56.9	35.4
1921	38.0	29.7–44.8	25.5	72.1	14.5	56.9	35.4
1920	37.9	29.6–44.7	24.9	72.1	14.5	56.9	35.4
1919	37.1	29.0–44.0	23.8	70.7	13.7	56.9	35.4
1918	37.1	29.0–44.0	23.8	70.7	13.7	56.9	35.4
1917	37.1	29.0–44.0	23.8	70.7	13.7	56.9	35.4
1916	37.1	29.0–44.0	23.8	70.7	13.7	56.9	35.4
1915	37.1	29.0–44.0	23.8	70.7	13.7	56.9	35.4
1914	37.1	29.0–44.0	23.8	70.7	13.7	56.9	35.4
1913	37.1	29.0–44.0	23.8	70.7	13.7	56.9	35.4
1912	37.1	29.0–44.0	23.8	70.7	13.7	56.9	35.4
1911	36.5	28.1–43.3	23.8	70.7	13.7	53.1	35.4
1910	33.8	25.8–40.3	13.9	70.7	13.7	53.1	35.4
1909	33.4	25.4–40.0	13.9	68.2	13.7	53.1	35.4
1908	33.4	25.4–40.0	13.9	68.2	13.7	53.1	35.4
1907	33.4	25.4–40.0	13.9	68.2	13.7	53.1	35.4
1906	33.4	25.4–40.0	13.9	68.2	13.7	53.1	35.4
1905	33.4	25.4–40.0	13.9	68.2	13.7	53.1	35.4
1904	33.4	25.4–40.0	13.9	68.2	13.7	53.1	35.4
1903	33.4	25.4–40.0	13.9	68.2	13.7	53.1	35.4
1902	33.4	25.4–40.0	13.9	68.2	13.7	53.1	35.4
1901	33.4	25.4–40.0	13.9	68.2	13.7	53.1	35.4
1900	33.4	25.4–40.0	13.9	68.2	13.7	53.1	35.4

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Sri Lanka 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

#41Seychelles73.1 #42Suriname73.1 #44Croatia72.6 #45Israel72.3

All rankings

How democratic isSri Lanka?

Sri Lanka, 1975–2025

Competition and anticorruption enforcement improved

Elections

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.

Sri Lanka score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Sri Lanka?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.