Participatory Democracy Index in India
India: Participatory Democracy Index was 0.246 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Participatory Democracy Index in India, 1789–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for participatory democracy index in India is 0.246, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 25.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, participatory democracy index in India peaked at 0.491 in 2003 and was at its lowest, 0.024, in 1789.
India ranks 99th of 176 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1780s | 0.024 | 0.024 | 0.024 | 1 |
| 1790s | 0.024 | 0.024 | 0.024 | 10 |
| 1800s | 0.024 | 0.024 | 0.024 | 10 |
| 1810s | 0.024 | 0.024 | 0.024 | 10 |
| 1820s | 0.024 | 0.024 | 0.024 | 10 |
| 1830s | 0.0278 | 0.024 | 0.031 | 10 |
| 1840s | 0.031 | 0.031 | 0.031 | 10 |
| 1850s | 0.0308 | 0.03 | 0.031 | 10 |
| 1860s | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 10 |
| 1870s | 0.0351 | 0.03 | 0.044 | 10 |
| 1880s | 0.0464 | 0.044 | 0.047 | 10 |
| 1890s | 0.047 | 0.047 | 0.047 | 10 |
| 1900s | 0.042 | 0.042 | 0.042 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.042 | 0.042 | 0.042 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.0539 | 0.047 | 0.055 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.0747 | 0.054 | 0.095 | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.1137 | 0.095 | 0.158 | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.3415 | 0.187 | 0.387 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.3791 | 0.372 | 0.387 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.3264 | 0.213 | 0.403 | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.4067 | 0.397 | 0.417 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.4763 | 0.444 | 0.49 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.4774 | 0.45 | 0.491 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.3633 | 0.269 | 0.44 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.248 | 0.236 | 0.255 | 6 |
Countries ranked near India
More social development data for India
- 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)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Key features of liberal democracy 0.26 (2025)
- Varieties of democracy 0.377 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.458 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.586 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.377 (2025)
- Liberal democracy 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is participatory democracy index in India?
- Participatory democracy index in India was 0.246 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest participatory democracy index recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 0.491 in 2003.
- What is the lowest participatory democracy index recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.024 in 1789.
- How does India rank for participatory democracy index?
- India ranks 99th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is participatory democracy index rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 25.5%. 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 Participatory Democracy Index. 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, as well as the extent to which citizens can engage in regional and local government, civil society organizations, and direct democracy.