What is direct democracy index in South Korea?

Direct democracy index in South Korea was 0.031 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest direct democracy index recorded in South Korea?

The highest recorded value was 0.312 in 1975.

What is the lowest direct democracy index recorded in South Korea?

The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1900.

How does South Korea rank for direct democracy index?

South Korea ranks 92nd out of 175 countries with data for 2025.

Is direct democracy index rising or falling in South Korea?

Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this South Korea 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.

Direct Democracy Index in South Korea

Name: Direct Democracy Index in South Korea
Creator: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

South Korea: Direct Democracy Index was 0.031 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.031

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

92nd

of 175 countries

All-time high

0.312

in 1975

All-time low

in 1900

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Direct Democracy Index in South Korea, 1900–2025

Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

In 2025, direct democracy index in South Korea stood at 0.031.

The figure is unchanged over ten years.

Over the whole period, direct democracy index in South Korea peaked at 0.312 in 1975 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1900.

South Korea ranks 92nd 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	0	0	10
1910s	0	0	0	10
1920s	0	0	0	10
1930s	0	0	0	10
1940s	0.0062	0	0.031	10
1950s	0.031	0.031	0.031	10
1960s	0.1099	0.031	0.132	10
1970s	0.2181	0.132	0.312	10
1980s	0.2441	0.192	0.3	10
1990s	0.1201	0.078	0.18	10
2000s	0.0454	0.031	0.072	10
2010s	0.031	0.031	0.031	10
2020s	0.031	0.031	0.031	6

Countries ranked near South Korea

92 Mozambique 0.031 compare
92 Namibia 0.031 compare
92 Sri Lanka 0.031 compare

See the full ranking of 175 places →

More social development data for South Korea

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 4,407 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 117 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
Key features of liberal democracy 0.739 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.819 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.933 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.839 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.819 (2025)
Liberal democracy 3 (2025)

All data for South Korea →

Frequently asked questions

What is direct democracy index in South Korea?: Direct democracy index in South Korea was 0.031 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest direct democracy index recorded in South Korea?: The highest recorded value was 0.312 in 1975.
What is the lowest direct democracy index recorded in South Korea?: The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1900.
How does South Korea rank for direct democracy index?: South Korea ranks 92nd out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
Is direct democracy index rising or falling in South Korea?: Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Korea 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

CSV · JSON — 126 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Direct Democracy Index
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 175 places, 20,802 data points, 1900–2025
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Measures the extent of how easy it is for citizens to vote on specific issues themselves in popular initiatives, referendums, and plebiscites.