Direct Democracy Index in New Zealand
New Zealand: Direct Democracy Index was 0.222 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Direct Democracy Index in New Zealand, 1900–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, direct democracy index in New Zealand stood at 0.222.
That represents a change of down 13.3% on the previous year and down 45.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, direct democracy index in New Zealand peaked at 0.521 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 0.013, in 1900.
That places New Zealand 18th out of 175 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
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 | 0.1074 | 0.013 | 0.131 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.131 | 0.131 | 0.131 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.131 | 0.131 | 0.131 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.131 | 0.131 | 0.131 | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.141 | 0.131 | 0.231 | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.131 | 0.131 | 0.131 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.141 | 0.131 | 0.231 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.131 | 0.131 | 0.131 | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.131 | 0.131 | 0.131 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.3466 | 0.131 | 0.479 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.4213 | 0.31 | 0.521 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.3909 | 0.313 | 0.413 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.2858 | 0.222 | 0.341 | 6 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More social development data for New Zealand
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 2,148 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 58 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Key features of liberal democracy 0.787 (2025)
- Varieties of democracy 0.849 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.927 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.885 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.849 (2025)
- Liberal democracy 3 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is direct democracy index in New Zealand?
- Direct democracy index in New Zealand was 0.222 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest direct democracy index recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 0.521 in 2000.
- What is the lowest direct democracy index recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.013 in 1900.
- How does New Zealand rank for direct democracy index?
- New Zealand ranks 18th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is direct democracy index rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is down 45.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand 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
Measures the extent of how easy it is for citizens to vote on specific issues themselves in popular initiatives, referendums, and plebiscites.