What is direct democracy index in Sweden?

Direct democracy index in Sweden was 0.028 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest direct democracy index recorded in Sweden?

The highest recorded value was 0.163 in 1980.

What is the lowest direct democracy index recorded in Sweden?

The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1900.

How does Sweden rank for direct democracy index?

Sweden ranks 98th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.

Is direct democracy index rising or falling in Sweden?

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

Where does this Sweden 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 Sweden

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

Sweden: Direct Democracy Index was 0.028 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.028

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

98th

of 175 countries

All-time high

0.163

in 1980

All-time low

in 1900

Years of data

126

1900–2025

Direct Democracy Index in Sweden, 1900–2025

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

Analysis

In 2025, direct democracy index in Sweden stood at 0.028.

That represents a change of unchanged over ten years.

Over the whole period, direct democracy index in Sweden peaked at 0.163 in 1980 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1900.

Sweden ranks 98th 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	0.1005	0	0.135	10
1930s	0.03	0.015	0.075	10
1940s	0.015	0.015	0.015	10
1950s	0.0825	0.015	0.15	10
1960s	0.1176	0.078	0.15	10
1970s	0.0352	0.015	0.069	10
1980s	0.1495	0.118	0.163	10
1990s	0.1351	0.082	0.163	10
2000s	0.1399	0.118	0.148	10
2010s	0.0505	0.028	0.103	10
2020s	0.028	0.028	0.028	6

Countries ranked near Sweden

96 Iran 0.029 compare
96 Mongolia 0.029 compare
98 Portugal 0.028 compare
98 Spain 0.028 compare
101 Gambia 0.026 compare

See the full ranking of 175 places →

More social development data for Sweden

Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 144,116 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 128 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Key features of liberal democracy 0.853 (2025)
Varieties of democracy 0.889 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.946 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.931 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.889 (2025)
Liberal democracy 3 (2025)

All data for Sweden →

Frequently asked questions

What is direct democracy index in Sweden?: Direct democracy index in Sweden was 0.028 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest direct democracy index recorded in Sweden?: The highest recorded value was 0.163 in 1980.
What is the lowest direct democracy index recorded in Sweden?: The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1900.
How does Sweden rank for direct democracy index?: Sweden ranks 98th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
Is direct democracy index rising or falling in Sweden?: Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Sweden 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.