Participatory Democracy Index in Italy
Italy: Participatory Democracy Index was 0.569 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Participatory Democracy Index in Italy, 1815–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for participatory democracy index in Italy is 0.569, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.0% on the previous year and down 15.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, participatory democracy index in Italy peaked at 0.689 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 0.006, in 1941.
Italy ranks 21st 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.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1810s | 0.008 | 0.008 | 0.008 | 5 |
| 1820s | 0.008 | 0.008 | 0.008 | 10 |
| 1830s | 0.008 | 0.008 | 0.008 | 10 |
| 1840s | 0.0179 | 0.008 | 0.062 | 10 |
| 1850s | 0.063 | 0.063 | 0.063 | 10 |
| 1860s | 0.0898 | 0.062 | 0.104 | 10 |
| 1870s | 0.0956 | 0.094 | 0.103 | 10 |
| 1880s | 0.1114 | 0.108 | 0.113 | 10 |
| 1890s | 0.1174 | 0.113 | 0.12 | 10 |
| 1900s | 0.148 | 0.147 | 0.149 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.1562 | 0.148 | 0.172 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.0727 | 0.022 | 0.173 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.0201 | 0.009 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.1548 | 0.006 | 0.411 | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.4249 | 0.415 | 0.437 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.4554 | 0.447 | 0.48 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.5156 | 0.485 | 0.54 | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.5899 | 0.57 | 0.62 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.6382 | 0.61 | 0.652 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.6653 | 0.644 | 0.681 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.6791 | 0.671 | 0.689 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.6357 | 0.569 | 0.68 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Italy
More social development data for Italy
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 192,914 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 266 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Key features of liberal democracy 0.642 (2025)
- Varieties of democracy 0.745 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.756 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.875 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.745 (2025)
- Liberal democracy 3 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is participatory democracy index in Italy?
- Participatory democracy index in Italy was 0.569 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest participatory democracy index recorded in Italy?
- The highest recorded value was 0.689 in 2016.
- What is the lowest participatory democracy index recorded in Italy?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.006 in 1941.
- How does Italy rank for participatory democracy index?
- Italy ranks 21st out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is participatory democracy index rising or falling in Italy?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Italy 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 — 211 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.