Key features of liberal democracy in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Key features of liberal democracy was 0.047 in 2025. ▲ Rising
Key features of liberal democracy in Saudi Arabia, 1789–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Saudi Arabia recorded 0.047 for key features of liberal democracy in 2025. That is the highest value across all 237 years on record.
That represents a change of up 2.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key features of liberal democracy in Saudi Arabia peaked at 0.047 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.029, in 1819.
Saudi Arabia ranks 162nd of 176 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 237 years of available data.
Key features of liberal democracy in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1789 | 0.03 | — |
| 1790 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1791 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1792 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1793 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1794 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1795 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1796 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1797 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1798 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1799 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1800 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1801 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1802 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1803 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1804 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1805 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1806 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1807 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1808 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1809 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1810 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1811 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1812 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1813 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1814 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1815 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1816 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1817 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1818 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 1819 | 0.029 | -3.3% |
| 1820 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1821 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1822 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1823 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1824 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1825 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1826 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1827 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1828 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1829 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1830 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1831 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1832 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1833 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1834 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1835 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1836 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1837 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1838 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1839 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1840 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1841 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1842 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1843 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1844 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1845 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1846 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1847 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1848 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1849 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1850 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1851 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1852 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1853 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1854 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1855 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1856 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1857 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1858 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1859 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1860 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1861 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1862 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1863 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1864 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1865 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1866 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1867 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1868 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1869 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1870 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1871 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1872 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1873 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1874 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1875 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1876 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1877 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1878 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1879 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1880 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1881 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1882 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1883 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1884 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1885 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1886 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1887 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1888 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1889 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1890 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1891 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1892 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1893 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1894 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1895 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1896 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1897 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1898 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1899 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1900 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1901 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1902 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1903 | 0.032 | +10.3% |
| 1904 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1905 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1906 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1907 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1908 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1909 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1910 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1911 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1912 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1913 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1914 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1915 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1916 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1917 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1918 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1919 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1920 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1921 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1922 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1923 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1924 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1925 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1926 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1927 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1928 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1929 | 0.033 | +3.1% |
| 1930 | 0.033 | +0.0% |
| 1931 | 0.033 | +0.0% |
| 1932 | 0.034 | +3.0% |
| 1933 | 0.035 | +2.9% |
| 1934 | 0.035 | +0.0% |
| 1935 | 0.035 | +0.0% |
| 1936 | 0.035 | +0.0% |
| 1937 | 0.035 | +0.0% |
| 1938 | 0.035 | +0.0% |
| 1939 | 0.036 | +2.9% |
| 1940 | 0.036 | +0.0% |
| 1941 | 0.036 | +0.0% |
| 1942 | 0.036 | +0.0% |
| 1943 | 0.036 | +0.0% |
| 1944 | 0.036 | +0.0% |
| 1945 | 0.036 | +0.0% |
| 1946 | 0.036 | +0.0% |
| 1947 | 0.036 | +0.0% |
| 1948 | 0.036 | +0.0% |
| 1949 | 0.036 | +0.0% |
| 1950 | 0.034 | -5.6% |
| 1951 | 0.034 | +0.0% |
| 1952 | 0.033 | -2.9% |
| 1953 | 0.033 | +0.0% |
| 1954 | 0.038 | +15.2% |
| 1955 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1956 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1957 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1958 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1959 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1960 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1961 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 0.04 | +5.3% |
| 1963 | 0.042 | +5.0% |
| 1964 | 0.042 | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 0.042 | +0.0% |
| 1966 | 0.042 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 0.042 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 0.042 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 0.042 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 0.041 | -2.4% |
| 1971 | 0.041 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 0.041 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 0.036 | -12.2% |
| 1974 | 0.036 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 0.037 | +2.8% |
| 1976 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1980 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1981 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1982 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 0.036 | -2.7% |
| 1984 | 0.036 | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 0.036 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 0.037 | +2.8% |
| 1987 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 0.039 | +5.4% |
| 1993 | 0.039 | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 0.039 | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 0.039 | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 0.039 | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 0.039 | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 0.039 | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 0.039 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 0.04 | +2.6% |
| 2001 | 0.039 | -2.5% |
| 2002 | 0.039 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 0.039 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 0.039 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 0.042 | +7.7% |
| 2006 | 0.043 | +2.4% |
| 2007 | 0.043 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 0.044 | +2.3% |
| 2009 | 0.045 | +2.3% |
| 2010 | 0.046 | +2.2% |
| 2011 | 0.046 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 0.046 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 0.046 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 0.046 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 0.046 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 0.044 | -4.3% |
| 2017 | 0.043 | -2.3% |
| 2018 | 0.042 | -2.3% |
| 2019 | 0.045 | +7.1% |
| 2020 | 0.045 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 0.045 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 0.046 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | 0.045 | -2.2% |
| 2024 | 0.047 | +4.4% |
| 2025 | 0.047 | +0.0% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 0.047 is below the median for high income countries, which is 0.689, 7% of the median. (55 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 0.047 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 0.118, 40% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1780s | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 1 |
| 1790s | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 10 |
| 1800s | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 10 |
| 1810s | 0.0299 | 0.029 | 0.03 | 10 |
| 1820s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1830s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1840s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1850s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1860s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1870s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1880s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1890s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1900s | 0.0311 | 0.029 | 0.032 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.032 | 0.032 | 0.032 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.0321 | 0.032 | 0.033 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.0346 | 0.033 | 0.036 | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.036 | 0.036 | 0.036 | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.0362 | 0.033 | 0.038 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.041 | 0.038 | 0.042 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.038 | 0.036 | 0.041 | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.0367 | 0.036 | 0.037 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.0386 | 0.037 | 0.039 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.0413 | 0.039 | 0.045 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.045 | 0.042 | 0.046 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.0458 | 0.045 | 0.047 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
- 159 Syria 0.054 compare
- 160 Azerbaijan 0.053 compare
- 161 Cambodia 0.051 compare
- 162 Equatorial Guinea 0.047 compare
- 164 Tajikistan 0.043 compare
- 164 Yemen 0.043 compare
More social development data for Saudi Arabia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 448 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2,368 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0001 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2,368 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key features of liberal democracy in Saudi Arabia?
- Key features of liberal democracy in Saudi Arabia was 0.047 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key features of liberal democracy recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 0.047 in 2024.
- What is the lowest key features of liberal democracy recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.029 in 1819.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for key features of liberal democracy?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 162nd out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key features of liberal democracy rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Key features of liberal democracy. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 237 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Central estimate of the extent of suffrage, the freedom and fairness of elections, freedoms of association and expression, individual and minority rights, equality before the law, and executive constraints.