2025 country profile

How democratic is
Suriname?

Suriname scores 73.1 out of 100 and ranks 42 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 rank42 of 179

10-year change+0.5

25-year change−0.8

Source-bound range67.5–80.3

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

Suriname, 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

Electoral reform made representation more proportional

The electoral council implemented a national proportional system in place of unequal districts. Freedom House reports that this addressed disparities between voters and helped smaller parties gain representation. The democratic mechanism is more equal translation of votes into seats, rather than an assumption that any particular party deserves to win.

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 Suriname rose 0.5 points, from 72.6 to 73.1 between 2015 and 2025. 3 of the five areas improved while 2 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. Rights and checks contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Rights and checks

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

Area score: 83.2 → 78.4
Approx. contribution to overall change: −0.9 points

Moving in the other direction

Political equality

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

Area score: 70.5 → 74.0
Approx. contribution to overall change: +0.7 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.

2015–2016−0.8 points
The overall score fell from 72.6 to 71.8. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2018–2019−1.2 points
The overall score fell from 71.5 to 70.3. Rights and checks supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2020–2021+2.6 points
The overall score rose from 70.3 to 72.9. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 73.3 in 2022. 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	83.2	78.4	−4.8	−0.9
Political equality	70.5	74.0	+3.5	+0.7
Participation	56.1	58.4	+2.3	+0.5
Elections	75.7	78.1	+2.4	+0.5
Public reasoning	78.9	77.7	−1.2	−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?

78.1

Rights and checks on power

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

78.4

Public participation

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

58.4

Public reasoning

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

77.7

Political equality

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

74.0

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

Suriname score table

Download Suriname CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	73.1	67.5–80.3	78.1	78.4	58.4	77.7	74.0
2024	73.2	67.2–80.3	76.7	82.1	59.1	77.7	71.7
2023	72.8	67.2–80.6	76.4	82.3	58.4	77.7	70.5
2022	73.3	67.5–80.4	78.1	83.5	58.8	77.7	69.5
2021	72.9	67.7–80.8	76.1	83.3	58.2	77.7	70.4
2020	70.3	64.2–78.3	75.4	82.8	57.0	70.1	67.4
2019	70.3	64.0–77.8	74.1	76.6	55.8	76.8	69.4
2018	71.5	65.2–79.0	74.8	80.2	56.1	78.5	69.1
2017	72.1	65.6–78.9	74.8	82.7	56.1	78.5	69.9
2016	71.8	65.6–79.3	75.4	81.4	56.1	77.0	70.5
2015	72.6	66.5–79.8	75.7	83.2	56.1	78.9	70.5
2014	72.4	66.4–79.7	75.0	83.2	56.1	78.9	70.5
2013	72.7	67.0–80.0	75.0	83.2	56.1	79.3	71.4
2012	72.9	67.3–79.8	74.7	83.3	56.3	79.7	71.9
2011	73.0	67.4–79.8	74.7	83.9	56.3	79.7	71.9
2010	72.7	67.1–79.7	75.2	83.9	55.9	79.7	70.6
2009	72.9	67.2–80.0	75.9	85.3	56.1	78.8	70.4
2008	72.9	67.2–80.0	75.9	85.3	56.1	78.8	70.4
2007	73.1	67.3–79.9	75.9	85.3	56.7	78.8	70.4
2006	73.1	67.3–80.1	76.0	85.3	56.7	78.8	70.4
2005	73.3	67.5–80.2	76.7	85.3	57.0	78.8	70.4
2004	73.6	67.7–80.4	77.9	85.3	57.4	78.8	70.4
2003	73.7	67.8–80.4	77.9	85.3	57.8	78.8	70.4
2002	73.8	67.9–80.5	77.9	85.3	58.2	78.8	70.4
2001	73.9	68.0–80.6	77.9	85.3	58.6	78.8	70.4
2000	73.9	68.2–80.9	78.0	85.1	59.0	78.8	70.0
1999	73.7	68.0–80.7	76.9	85.1	59.2	78.8	70.0
1998	73.8	68.1–80.8	76.9	85.1	59.6	78.8	70.0
1997	73.9	68.1–80.9	76.9	85.1	60.0	78.8	70.0
1996	73.9	68.3–81.1	76.4	85.1	60.4	78.8	70.0
1995	73.4	67.7–80.6	75.1	84.7	60.8	78.8	69.0
1994	73.5	67.8–80.7	75.1	84.7	61.2	78.8	69.0
1993	73.8	67.9–80.7	75.1	84.5	62.4	78.8	69.0
1992	73.3	67.1–80.4	75.0	82.9	62.8	78.8	67.8
1991	64.2	58.7–70.6	45.0	71.9	63.2	75.4	68.0
1990	70.0	63.8–78.1	72.6	72.0	63.2	76.6	66.0
1989	71.0	64.8–78.6	72.5	77.6	62.5	76.6	66.5
1988	67.7	61.6–75.6	61.8	73.6	61.2	76.6	66.2
1987	46.8	39.0–53.3	19.3	72.1	57.8	34.7	61.8
1986	38.6	31.4–45.6	16.8	61.1	34.9	29.0	61.8
1985	36.5	28.9–42.8	16.8	61.1	33.7	21.5	61.8
1984	33.9	26.7–39.7	15.8	45.8	33.7	21.5	62.5
1983	31.1	24.0–36.5	15.8	45.8	33.7	11.9	62.5
1982	31.3	24.2–36.6	16.4	45.8	33.7	11.9	62.5
1981	31.3	24.1–36.6	17.0	45.2	33.7	11.9	62.5
1980	34.6	27.1–40.5	21.6	49.1	34.2	16.2	62.0
1979	66.7	60.4–74.1	73.7	84.7	41.3	72.9	65.7
1978	66.9	60.4–74.1	73.7	84.7	41.3	72.9	66.4
1977	66.6	60.1–73.9	73.0	83.8	41.3	72.9	66.4
1976	66.7	60.2–74.0	73.0	84.6	41.3	72.9	66.4
1975	56.8	51.2–63.3	36.9	81.5	41.3	72.9	58.1
1974	59.7	53.2–66.9	52.2	80.4	40.0	72.0	58.1
1973	59.5	53.1–67.0	52.0	79.5	40.0	72.0	58.1
1972	59.6	53.1–67.0	52.7	79.5	40.0	72.0	58.1
1971	59.6	53.1–67.0	52.7	79.5	40.0	72.0	58.1
1970	60.0	53.4–67.1	52.7	79.5	41.4	72.0	58.1
1969	59.3	52.8–66.6	52.0	79.5	38.7	72.0	58.7
1968	59.3	52.7–66.5	52.0	79.5	38.7	72.0	58.7
1967	59.3	52.8–66.6	52.1	79.5	38.7	72.0	58.7
1966	59.3	52.9–66.7	52.4	79.5	38.7	72.0	58.7
1965	59.3	52.9–66.7	52.4	79.5	38.7	72.0	58.7
1964	59.3	52.9–66.7	52.4	79.5	38.7	72.0	58.7
1963	59.3	52.9–66.7	52.4	79.5	38.7	72.0	58.7
1962	59.2	52.8–66.6	52.3	79.0	38.7	72.0	58.7
1961	59.2	52.8–66.6	52.3	79.0	38.7	72.0	58.7
1960	59.2	52.8–66.6	52.3	79.0	38.7	72.0	58.7
1959	59.2	52.8–66.6	52.3	79.0	38.7	72.0	58.7
1958	59.2	52.8–66.6	52.2	79.0	38.7	72.0	58.7
1957	59.2	52.7–66.6	52.0	79.0	38.7	72.0	58.7
1956	59.0	52.1–66.5	51.9	79.0	38.0	72.0	58.7
1955	59.0	52.1–66.5	51.8	79.0	38.0	72.0	58.7
1954	54.8	47.3–62.9	49.8	78.5	33.1	67.7	50.9
1953	54.1	46.5–61.9	49.8	78.5	33.1	66.6	48.3
1952	54.1	46.5–61.9	49.8	78.5	33.1	66.6	48.3
1951	53.6	45.8–61.5	49.8	78.5	33.1	63.6	48.3
1950	53.5	45.8–61.4	49.7	78.5	33.1	63.6	48.3
1949	44.1	37.2–51.5	30.4	67.1	33.1	49.8	44.8
1948	34.9	28.2–41.2	15.4	53.5	29.5	41.2	41.8
1947	34.7	27.9–40.8	15.4	53.5	29.5	41.2	40.9
1946	34.7	27.9–40.8	15.4	53.5	29.5	41.2	40.9
1945	33.6	26.9–40.1	15.1	51.4	30.2	41.2	36.5
1944	33.6	27.0–40.2	15.1	51.6	30.2	41.2	36.5
1943	33.5	27.1–40.2	14.8	51.6	30.2	41.2	36.5
1942	33.5	27.1–40.2	14.8	51.6	30.2	41.2	36.5
1941	33.6	27.0–40.1	14.8	51.9	30.2	41.2	36.5
1940	33.6	27.0–40.1	14.8	51.9	30.2	41.2	36.5
1939	33.5	27.0–39.9	14.9	52.0	30.2	41.2	36.0
1938	33.5	27.0–39.9	14.9	52.0	30.2	41.2	36.0
1937	33.5	27.0–39.9	14.9	52.0	30.2	41.2	36.0
1936	31.8	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.0	30.2	33.4	35.0
1935	31.8	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.0	30.2	33.4	35.0
1934	31.8	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.0	30.2	33.4	35.0
1933	32.0	25.2–38.1	14.5	52.0	30.2	33.4	36.0
1932	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1931	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1930	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1929	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1928	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1927	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1926	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1925	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1924	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1923	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1922	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1921	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1920	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1919	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.4	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1918	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.4	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1917	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.4	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1916	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.4	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1915	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.4	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1914	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.4	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1913	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.4	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1912	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.4	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1911	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.4	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1910	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.4	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1909	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.4	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1908	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.4	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1907	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.4	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1906	32.1	25.2–38.1	14.7	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1905	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1904	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1903	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1902	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1901	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0
1900	32.0	25.1–38.0	14.5	52.1	30.2	33.4	36.0

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Suriname 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

#40South Africa73.8 #41Seychelles73.1 #43Sri Lanka72.7 #44Croatia72.6

All rankings

How democratic isSuriname?

Suriname, 1975–2025

Electoral reform made representation more proportional

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.

Suriname score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Suriname?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.