Participatory Democracy Index in Italy

Italy: Participatory Democracy Index was 0.569 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
0.569
Change on year
down 6.0%
World rank
21st
of 176 countries
All-time high
0.689
in 2016
All-time low
0.006
in 1941
Years of data
211
1815–2025

Participatory Democracy Index in Italy, 1815–2025

00.20.40.6181519202025

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

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

  1. 18 New Zealand 0.581 compare
  2. 19 Chile 0.574 compare
  3. 20 Spain 0.572 compare
  4. 22 Iceland 0.565 compare
  5. 23 Czechia 0.562 compare
  6. 24 Lithuania 0.56 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Italy

All data for Italy →

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

Indicator
Participatory Democracy Index
Source
V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
176 places, 29,363 data points, 1789–2025
Last refreshed

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.