Key features of democracy in India
India: Key features of democracy was 0.377 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key features of democracy in India, 1789–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for key features of democracy in India is 0.377, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 1.0% on the previous year and down 30.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key features of democracy in India peaked at 0.746 in 1998 and was at its lowest, 0.05, in 1878.
That places India 104th out of 176 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1780s | 0.053 | 0.053 | 0.053 | 1 |
| 1790s | 0.053 | 0.053 | 0.053 | 10 |
| 1800s | 0.053 | 0.053 | 0.053 | 10 |
| 1810s | 0.053 | 0.053 | 0.053 | 10 |
| 1820s | 0.053 | 0.053 | 0.053 | 10 |
| 1830s | 0.054 | 0.053 | 0.058 | 10 |
| 1840s | 0.058 | 0.058 | 0.058 | 10 |
| 1850s | 0.0572 | 0.054 | 0.058 | 10 |
| 1860s | 0.054 | 0.054 | 0.054 | 10 |
| 1870s | 0.0537 | 0.05 | 0.057 | 10 |
| 1880s | 0.0694 | 0.05 | 0.074 | 10 |
| 1890s | 0.074 | 0.074 | 0.074 | 10 |
| 1900s | 0.0754 | 0.074 | 0.076 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.076 | 0.076 | 0.076 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.135 | 0.087 | 0.144 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.1588 | 0.137 | 0.18 | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.19 | 0.179 | 0.226 | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.5832 | 0.272 | 0.67 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.6577 | 0.644 | 0.67 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.5649 | 0.381 | 0.664 | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.6536 | 0.641 | 0.668 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.7305 | 0.693 | 0.746 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.7245 | 0.683 | 0.739 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.5735 | 0.43 | 0.671 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.384 | 0.374 | 0.398 | 6 |
Countries ranked near India
- 101 Cote d'Ivoire 0.394 compare
- 102 Philippines 0.392 compare
- 103 Ukraine 0.386 compare
- 105 Iraq 0.369 compare
- 106 Tanzania 0.365 compare
- 107 Madagascar 0.361 compare
More social development data for India
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 238,643 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 42,610 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Public Sector Corruption Index 0.692 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.458 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.586 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.377 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.246 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.26 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key features of democracy in India?
- Key features of democracy in India was 0.377 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key features of democracy recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 0.746 in 1998.
- What is the lowest key features of democracy recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.05 in 1878.
- How does India rank for key features of democracy?
- India ranks 104th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key features of democracy rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 30.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Key features of democracy. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Central estimate of the extent to which political leaders are elected under comprehensive suffrage in free and fair elections, and freedoms of association and expression are guaranteed.