Direct Democracy Index in Iceland
Iceland: Direct Democracy Index was 0.082 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Direct Democracy Index in Iceland, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, direct democracy index in Iceland stood at 0.082.
The figure is down 9.9% on the previous year and down 49.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, direct democracy index in Iceland peaked at 0.281 in 1944 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1900.
Iceland ranks 64th of 175 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 0.01 | 0 | 0.1 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.02 | 0 | 0.1 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.01 | 0 | 0.1 | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.1669 | 0 | 0.281 | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.1716 | 0.096 | 0.248 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.0382 | 0.028 | 0.079 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.028 | 0.028 | 0.028 | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.028 | 0.028 | 0.028 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.028 | 0.028 | 0.028 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.028 | 0.028 | 0.028 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.1576 | 0.136 | 0.163 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.1045 | 0.082 | 0.127 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iceland
- 61 Syria 0.092 compare
- 62 Costa Rica 0.083 compare
- 65 Madagascar 0.081 compare
- 65 Niger 0.081 compare
- 67 Equatorial Guinea 0.08 compare
- 67 Nicaragua 0.08 compare
More social development data for Iceland
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 8,459 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 0 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Key features of liberal democracy 0.72 (2025)
- Varieties of democracy 0.807 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.846 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.917 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.807 (2025)
- Liberal democracy 3 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is direct democracy index in Iceland?
- Direct democracy index in Iceland was 0.082 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest direct democracy index recorded in Iceland?
- The highest recorded value was 0.281 in 1944.
- What is the lowest direct democracy index recorded in Iceland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1900.
- How does Iceland rank for direct democracy index?
- Iceland ranks 64th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is direct democracy index rising or falling in Iceland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 49.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iceland data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Direct Democracy Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Measures the extent of how easy it is for citizens to vote on specific issues themselves in popular initiatives, referendums, and plebiscites.