Key features of liberal democracy in Taiwan
Taiwan: Key features of liberal democracy was 0.704 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key features of liberal democracy in Taiwan, 1789–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for key features of liberal democracy in Taiwan is 0.704, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 0.4% on the previous year and up 2.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key features of liberal democracy in Taiwan peaked at 0.739 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 0.012, in 1851.
Taiwan ranks 28th of 176 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Key features of liberal democracy in Taiwan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1789 | 0.013 | — |
| 1790 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1791 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1792 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1793 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1794 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1795 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1796 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1797 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1798 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1799 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1800 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1801 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1802 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1803 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1804 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1805 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1806 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1807 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1808 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1809 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1810 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1811 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1812 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1813 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1814 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1815 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1816 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1817 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1818 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1819 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1820 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1821 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1822 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1823 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1824 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1825 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1826 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1827 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1828 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1829 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1830 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1831 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1832 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1833 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1834 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1835 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1836 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1837 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1838 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1839 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1840 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1841 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1842 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1843 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1844 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1845 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1846 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1847 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1848 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1849 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1850 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1851 | 0.012 | -7.7% |
| 1852 | 0.012 | +0.0% |
| 1853 | 0.012 | +0.0% |
| 1854 | 0.012 | +0.0% |
| 1855 | 0.012 | +0.0% |
| 1856 | 0.012 | +0.0% |
| 1857 | 0.012 | +0.0% |
| 1858 | 0.012 | +0.0% |
| 1859 | 0.012 | +0.0% |
| 1860 | 0.012 | +0.0% |
| 1861 | 0.012 | +0.0% |
| 1862 | 0.012 | +0.0% |
| 1863 | 0.013 | +8.3% |
| 1864 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1865 | 0.014 | +7.7% |
| 1866 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1867 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1868 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1869 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1870 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1871 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1872 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1873 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1874 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1875 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1876 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1877 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1878 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1879 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1880 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1881 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1882 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1883 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1884 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1885 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1886 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1887 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1888 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1889 | 0.014 | +0.0% |
| 1890 | 0.013 | -7.1% |
| 1891 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1892 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1893 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1894 | 0.013 | +0.0% |
| 1900 | 0.038 | +192.3% |
| 1901 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1902 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1903 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1904 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1905 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1906 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1907 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1908 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1909 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1910 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1911 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1912 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1913 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1914 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1915 | 0.038 | +0.0% |
| 1916 | 0.043 | +13.2% |
| 1917 | 0.043 | +0.0% |
| 1918 | 0.043 | +0.0% |
| 1919 | 0.043 | +0.0% |
| 1920 | 0.044 | +2.3% |
| 1921 | 0.047 | +6.8% |
| 1922 | 0.047 | +0.0% |
| 1923 | 0.047 | +0.0% |
| 1924 | 0.046 | -2.1% |
| 1925 | 0.046 | +0.0% |
| 1926 | 0.046 | +0.0% |
| 1927 | 0.046 | +0.0% |
| 1928 | 0.046 | +0.0% |
| 1929 | 0.046 | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 0.044 | -4.3% |
| 1931 | 0.045 | +2.3% |
| 1932 | 0.045 | +0.0% |
| 1933 | 0.045 | +0.0% |
| 1934 | 0.043 | -4.4% |
| 1935 | 0.043 | +0.0% |
| 1936 | 0.043 | +0.0% |
| 1937 | 0.041 | -4.7% |
| 1938 | 0.036 | -12.2% |
| 1939 | 0.036 | +0.0% |
| 1940 | 0.037 | +2.8% |
| 1941 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1942 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1943 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1944 | 0.037 | +0.0% |
| 1945 | 0.038 | +2.7% |
| 1946 | 0.031 | -18.4% |
| 1947 | 0.033 | +6.5% |
| 1948 | 0.032 | -3.0% |
| 1949 | 0.036 | +12.5% |
| 1950 | 0.051 | +41.7% |
| 1951 | 0.052 | +2.0% |
| 1952 | 0.054 | +3.8% |
| 1953 | 0.054 | +0.0% |
| 1954 | 0.056 | +3.7% |
| 1955 | 0.055 | -1.8% |
| 1956 | 0.055 | +0.0% |
| 1957 | 0.055 | +0.0% |
| 1958 | 0.055 | +0.0% |
| 1959 | 0.055 | +0.0% |
| 1960 | 0.06 | +9.1% |
| 1961 | 0.06 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 0.061 | +1.7% |
| 1963 | 0.061 | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 0.062 | +1.6% |
| 1965 | 0.062 | +0.0% |
| 1966 | 0.062 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 0.061 | -1.6% |
| 1968 | 0.061 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 0.061 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 0.069 | +13.1% |
| 1971 | 0.068 | -1.4% |
| 1972 | 0.067 | -1.5% |
| 1973 | 0.068 | +1.5% |
| 1974 | 0.07 | +2.9% |
| 1975 | 0.074 | +5.7% |
| 1976 | 0.08 | +8.1% |
| 1977 | 0.082 | +2.5% |
| 1978 | 0.078 | -4.9% |
| 1979 | 0.076 | -2.6% |
| 1980 | 0.087 | +14.5% |
| 1981 | 0.09 | +3.4% |
| 1982 | 0.098 | +8.9% |
| 1983 | 0.099 | +1.0% |
| 1984 | 0.103 | +4.0% |
| 1985 | 0.103 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 0.117 | +13.6% |
| 1987 | 0.128 | +9.4% |
| 1988 | 0.169 | +32.0% |
| 1989 | 0.198 | +17.2% |
| 1990 | 0.226 | +14.1% |
| 1991 | 0.238 | +5.3% |
| 1992 | 0.259 | +8.8% |
| 1993 | 0.275 | +6.2% |
| 1994 | 0.277 | +0.7% |
| 1995 | 0.279 | +0.7% |
| 1996 | 0.389 | +39.4% |
| 1997 | 0.483 | +24.2% |
| 1998 | 0.493 | +2.1% |
| 1999 | 0.489 | -0.8% |
| 2000 | 0.674 | +37.8% |
| 2001 | 0.682 | +1.2% |
| 2002 | 0.687 | +0.7% |
| 2003 | 0.684 | -0.4% |
| 2004 | 0.677 | -1.0% |
| 2005 | 0.675 | -0.3% |
| 2006 | 0.679 | +0.6% |
| 2007 | 0.679 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 0.685 | +0.9% |
| 2009 | 0.667 | -2.6% |
| 2010 | 0.668 | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 0.668 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 0.676 | +1.2% |
| 2013 | 0.684 | +1.2% |
| 2014 | 0.685 | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 0.686 | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 0.727 | +6.0% |
| 2017 | 0.737 | +1.4% |
| 2018 | 0.739 | +0.3% |
| 2019 | 0.725 | -1.9% |
| 2020 | 0.719 | -0.8% |
| 2021 | 0.711 | -1.1% |
| 2022 | 0.729 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | 0.725 | -0.5% |
| 2024 | 0.707 | -2.5% |
| 2025 | 0.704 | -0.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1780s | 0.013 | 0.013 | 0.013 | 1 |
| 1790s | 0.013 | 0.013 | 0.013 | 10 |
| 1800s | 0.013 | 0.013 | 0.013 | 10 |
| 1810s | 0.013 | 0.013 | 0.013 | 10 |
| 1820s | 0.013 | 0.013 | 0.013 | 10 |
| 1830s | 0.013 | 0.013 | 0.013 | 10 |
| 1840s | 0.013 | 0.013 | 0.013 | 10 |
| 1850s | 0.0121 | 0.012 | 0.013 | 10 |
| 1860s | 0.0132 | 0.012 | 0.014 | 10 |
| 1870s | 0.014 | 0.014 | 0.014 | 10 |
| 1880s | 0.014 | 0.014 | 0.014 | 10 |
| 1890s | 0.013 | 0.013 | 0.013 | 5 |
| 1900s | 0.038 | 0.038 | 0.038 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.04 | 0.038 | 0.043 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.0461 | 0.044 | 0.047 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.0421 | 0.036 | 0.045 | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.0355 | 0.031 | 0.038 | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.0542 | 0.051 | 0.056 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.0611 | 0.06 | 0.062 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.0732 | 0.067 | 0.082 | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.1192 | 0.087 | 0.198 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.3408 | 0.226 | 0.493 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.6789 | 0.667 | 0.687 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.6995 | 0.668 | 0.739 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.7158 | 0.704 | 0.729 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Taiwan
More social development data for Taiwan
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Sovereign state gleditsch ward, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Human Rights Index vs. Electoral Democracy Index 0.93 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.704 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.801 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.892 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.838 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key features of liberal democracy in Taiwan?
- Key features of liberal democracy in Taiwan was 0.704 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key features of liberal democracy recorded in Taiwan?
- The highest recorded value was 0.739 in 2018.
- What is the lowest key features of liberal democracy recorded in Taiwan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.012 in 1851.
- How does Taiwan rank for key features of liberal democracy?
- Taiwan ranks 28th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key features of liberal democracy rising or falling in Taiwan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Taiwan 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
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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.