2025 country profile

How democratic is
Vanuatu?

Vanuatu scores 62.9 out of 100 and ranks 69 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

62.9out of 100Substantial but incomplete

2025 rank69 of 179

10-year change−10.6

25-year change−6.0

Source-bound range56.1–71.5

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

Vanuatu, 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

Referendum changes sought to curb party switching

Voters approved rules tying parliamentary seats more closely to party affiliation and requiring independent members to associate with a party. The stated aim was more stable government. This is an institutional trade-off to examine: stability and party accountability can improve while individual legislators’ flexibility is reduced.

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 Vanuatu fell 10.6 points, from 73.5 to 62.9 between 2015 and 2025. All five areas declined. Participation contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Participation

The evidence rates opportunities to participate through civic organizations, direct democracy, and local or regional institutions less favorably.

Area score: 52.7 → 31.8
Approx. contribution to overall change: −5.5 points

Another important influence

Public reasoning

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

Area score: 77.0 → 57.5
Approx. contribution to overall change: −3.9 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+0.9 points
The overall score rose from 73.5 to 74.4. Elections supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2018–2019−1.3 points
The overall score fell from 75.1 to 73.8. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2024–2025−10.8 points
The overall score fell from 73.7 to 62.9. Participation supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 75.1 in 2018. 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
Participation	52.7	31.8	−20.9	−5.5
Public reasoning	77.0	57.5	−19.5	−3.9
Political equality	79.8	75.0	−4.8	−0.9
Elections	74.7	72.9	−1.8	−0.3
Rights and checks	85.9	85.7	−0.2	0.0

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?

72.9

Rights and checks on power

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

85.7

Public participation

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

31.8

Public reasoning

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

57.5

Political equality

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

75.0

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

Vanuatu score table

Download Vanuatu CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	62.9	56.1–71.5	72.9	85.7	31.8	57.5	75.0
2024	73.7	67.4–81.5	80.0	85.7	56.9	72.8	75.0
2023	74.1	68.3–81.9	82.0	85.8	52.9	75.2	77.3
2022	73.4	67.4–80.7	80.4	84.1	52.9	76.8	75.1
2021	73.2	67.2–80.3	80.0	83.4	52.9	79.0	73.1
2020	73.0	67.0–80.1	78.0	84.1	52.9	77.3	75.0
2019	73.8	67.9–80.9	77.9	84.7	52.1	80.3	76.8
2018	75.1	69.7–81.9	79.0	86.1	52.1	82.7	78.7
2017	74.5	68.7–81.6	79.3	86.2	52.1	80.5	77.2
2016	74.4	68.7–81.5	77.1	85.9	52.7	79.2	79.8
2015	73.5	67.6–80.9	74.7	85.9	52.7	77.0	79.8
2014	72.8	66.4–79.8	74.5	84.0	52.7	77.0	78.3
2013	72.8	66.4–79.8	74.5	84.0	52.7	77.0	78.3
2012	73.1	67.0–80.1	73.8	84.0	52.7	79.1	78.3
2011	73.1	67.0–80.1	73.7	84.0	52.7	79.1	78.3
2010	73.1	67.0–80.1	73.7	84.0	52.7	79.1	78.3
2009	72.4	66.3–79.6	73.7	83.7	51.5	77.1	78.3
2008	70.7	64.3–78.0	65.3	83.7	51.5	77.1	78.3
2007	69.8	63.2–77.1	61.1	83.7	51.5	77.1	78.3
2006	69.8	63.2–77.1	61.1	83.7	51.5	77.1	78.3
2005	69.8	63.2–77.1	61.1	83.7	51.5	77.1	78.3
2004	68.8	61.8–76.8	61.5	83.7	51.5	70.0	80.1
2003	68.9	62.0–77.0	62.0	83.7	51.5	70.0	80.1
2002	68.9	61.9–76.9	61.9	83.7	51.5	70.0	80.1
2001	68.9	61.6–76.8	61.9	83.7	51.5	70.0	80.1
2000	68.9	61.6–76.8	61.9	83.7	51.5	70.0	80.1
1999	69.9	63.1–77.3	61.7	83.8	54.2	74.6	77.5
1998	69.9	63.2–77.4	61.7	83.8	54.2	74.6	77.5
1997	69.9	63.5–77.5	61.8	83.8	54.2	74.6	77.5
1996	69.9	63.5–77.5	61.8	83.8	54.2	74.6	77.5
1995	69.9	63.2–77.3	61.6	83.8	54.2	74.6	77.5
1994	69.9	63.3–77.4	61.5	83.7	54.2	74.6	77.5
1993	69.7	62.9–77.1	61.5	82.9	54.2	74.6	77.5
1992	65.4	57.8–73.3	61.5	82.9	36.8	74.6	77.5
1991	66.8	59.5–74.8	68.7	82.9	36.8	74.6	77.5
1990	67.0	59.7–75.0	69.7	82.9	36.8	74.6	77.5
1989	67.4	60.0–75.1	69.0	83.3	38.5	74.6	77.5
1988	67.4	60.0–75.1	69.0	83.3	38.5	74.6	77.5
1987	67.6	60.1–75.2	69.8	83.3	38.5	74.6	77.5
1986	67.6	60.1–75.2	69.9	83.3	38.5	74.6	77.5
1985	67.6	60.1–75.2	69.9	83.3	38.5	74.6	77.5
1984	67.6	60.1–75.2	69.9	83.3	38.5	74.6	77.5
1983	67.6	60.3–75.4	69.9	83.3	38.5	74.6	77.5
1982	67.6	60.3–75.5	69.9	83.3	38.5	74.6	77.5
1981	67.6	60.3–75.5	69.9	83.3	38.5	74.6	77.5
1980	67.3	59.7–75.2	69.9	83.3	37.4	74.6	77.5
1979	35.6	25.9–42.3	47.4	86.7	16.4	5.0	57.5
1978	34.7	25.3–41.1	41.5	86.7	16.4	5.0	57.5
1977	32.9	24.4–38.9	31.6	86.7	16.4	5.0	57.5
1976	32.8	24.3–38.7	30.6	86.7	16.4	5.0	57.5
1975	27.6	20.2–32.9	24.0	59.7	16.4	5.0	55.8
1974	25.6	18.1–30.3	16.6	59.7	14.5	5.0	55.8
1973	25.6	18.1–30.3	16.6	59.7	14.5	5.0	55.8
1972	25.6	18.1–30.3	16.6	59.7	14.5	5.0	55.8
1971	25.6	18.1–30.3	16.6	59.7	14.5	5.0	55.8
1970	24.7	17.0–29.3	15.4	56.1	14.5	5.0	55.0
1969	22.3	15.5–26.9	8.1	57.2	15.7	5.0	48.2
1968	21.9	15.0–26.3	8.1	57.2	14.1	5.0	48.2
1967	21.9	15.0–26.3	8.1	57.2	14.1	5.0	48.2
1966	21.9	15.0–26.3	8.1	57.2	14.1	5.0	48.2
1965	21.9	15.0–26.3	8.1	57.2	14.1	5.0	48.2
1964	21.9	15.0–26.3	8.1	57.2	14.1	5.0	48.2
1963	21.9	15.0–26.3	8.1	57.2	14.1	5.0	48.2
1962	21.9	15.0–26.3	8.1	57.2	14.1	5.0	48.2
1961	21.9	15.0–26.3	8.1	57.2	14.1	5.0	48.2
1960	21.9	15.0–26.3	8.1	57.2	14.1	5.0	48.2
1959	21.9	15.0–26.3	8.1	57.2	14.1	5.0	48.2
1958	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.1	57.2	10.7	5.0	48.2
1957	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.2	10.7	5.0	48.2
1956	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.2	10.7	5.0	48.2
1955	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.2	10.7	5.0	48.2
1954	21.2	14.0–25.3	8.3	57.2	10.7	5.0	48.2
1953	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.2	10.7	5.0	48.2
1952	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.2	10.7	5.0	48.2
1951	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.2	10.7	5.0	48.2
1950	21.0	13.8–25.1	8.0	56.1	10.7	5.0	48.2
1949	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.1	10.7	5.0	48.2
1948	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.1	10.7	5.0	48.2
1947	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.1	10.7	5.0	48.2
1946	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.1	10.7	5.0	48.2
1945	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.1	10.7	5.0	48.2
1944	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.1	10.7	5.0	48.2
1943	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.1	10.7	5.0	48.2
1942	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.1	10.7	5.0	48.2
1941	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.1	10.7	5.0	48.2
1940	21.1	14.0–25.2	8.0	57.1	10.7	5.0	48.2
1939	22.3	15.5–26.8	7.7	57.1	18.5	5.0	45.0
1938	20.4	13.7–24.7	7.7	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1937	20.4	13.7–24.7	7.7	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1936	20.4	13.7–24.7	7.7	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1935	20.4	13.7–24.7	7.7	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1934	20.4	13.7–24.7	7.7	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1933	20.4	13.7–24.7	7.7	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1932	20.4	13.7–24.7	7.7	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1931	20.4	13.7–24.7	7.7	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1930	20.4	13.7–24.7	7.7	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1929	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1928	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1927	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1926	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1925	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1924	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1923	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1922	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1921	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1920	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1919	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1918	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1917	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1916	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1915	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1914	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1913	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1912	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1911	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1910	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1909	20.3	13.6–24.7	7.4	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1908	20.3	13.6–24.6	7.3	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1907	20.3	13.6–24.6	7.3	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0
1906	20.3	13.6–24.6	7.3	57.1	10.2	5.0	45.0

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Vanuatu Democracy Score, 1906–2025,” 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

#67Guatemala63.5 #68Kenya63.5 #70Nepal62.6 #71Fiji62.0

All rankings

How democratic isVanuatu?

Vanuatu, 1975–2025

Referendum changes sought to curb party switching

Participation

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.

Vanuatu score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Vanuatu?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.