Democracy in Ireland
Ireland: Democracy was 9 in 2025. ▲ Rising
Latest (2025)
9
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
1st
of 176 countries
All-time high
9
in 1981
All-time low
0
in 1789
Years of data
237
1789–2025
Democracy in Ireland, 1789–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Ireland recorded 9 for democracy in 2025. That is the highest value across all 237 years on record.
That represents a change of unchanged over ten years.
Over the whole period, democracy in Ireland peaked at 9 in 1981 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1789.
Ireland ranks 1st of 176 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 237 years of available data.
Democracy in Ireland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1789 | 0 | — |
| 1790 | 3 | — |
| 1791 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1792 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1793 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1794 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1795 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1796 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1797 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1798 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1799 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1800 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1801 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1802 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1803 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1804 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1805 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1806 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1807 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1808 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1809 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1810 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1811 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1812 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1813 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1814 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1815 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1816 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1817 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1818 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1819 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1820 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1821 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1822 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1823 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1824 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1825 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1826 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1827 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1828 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1829 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1830 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1831 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1832 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1833 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1834 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1835 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1836 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1837 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1838 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1839 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1840 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1841 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1842 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1843 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1844 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1845 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1846 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1847 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1848 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1849 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1850 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1851 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1852 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1853 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1854 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1855 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1856 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1857 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1858 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1859 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1860 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1861 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1862 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1863 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1864 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1865 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1866 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1867 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1868 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1869 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1870 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1871 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1872 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1873 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1874 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1875 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1876 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1877 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1878 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1879 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1880 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1881 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1882 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1883 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1884 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1885 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1886 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1887 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1888 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1889 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1890 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1891 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1892 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1893 | 4 | +33.3% |
| 1894 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1895 | 3 | -25.0% |
| 1896 | 4 | +33.3% |
| 1897 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1898 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1899 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1900 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1901 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1902 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1903 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1904 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1905 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1906 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1907 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1908 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1909 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1910 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1911 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1912 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1913 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1914 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1915 | 3 | -25.0% |
| 1916 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1917 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1918 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1919 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 1920 | 0 | — |
| 1921 | 3 | — |
| 1922 | 6 | +100.0% |
| 1923 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 1924 | 8 | +33.3% |
| 1925 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1926 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1927 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1928 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1929 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1931 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1932 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1933 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1934 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1935 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1936 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1937 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1938 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1939 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1940 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1941 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1942 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1943 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1944 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1945 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1946 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1947 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1948 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1949 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1950 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1951 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1952 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1953 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1954 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1955 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1956 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1957 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1958 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1959 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1960 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1961 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1966 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1971 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1976 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1980 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1981 | 9 | +12.5% |
| 1982 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 9 | +0.0% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 9 is above the median for high income countries, which is 8, 1.1× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 9 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 6, 1.5× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1780s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1790s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1800s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1810s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1820s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1830s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1840s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1850s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1860s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1870s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1880s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1890s | 3.6 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
| 1900s | 4 | 4 | 4 | 10 |
| 1910s | 3.2 | 0 | 4 | 10 |
| 1920s | 6.3 | 0 | 8 | 10 |
| 1930s | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| 1940s | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| 1950s | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| 1960s | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| 1970s | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| 1980s | 8.9 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 1990s | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| 2000s | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| 2010s | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| 2020s | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
- 1 Australia 9 compare
- 1 Belgium 9 compare
- 1 Costa Rica 9 compare
- 1 Czechia 9 compare
- 1 Denmark 9 compare
- 1 Estonia 9 compare
- 1 Finland 9 compare
- 1 Germany 9 compare
- 1 Iceland 9 compare
- 1 Japan 9 compare
- 1 Latvia 9 compare
- 1 Luxembourg 9 compare
- 1 Netherlands 9 compare
- 1 New Zealand 9 compare
- 1 Norway 9 compare
- 1 Seychelles 9 compare
- 1 South Korea 9 compare
- 1 Spain 9 compare
- 1 Sweden 9 compare
- 1 Switzerland 9 compare
- 1 Taiwan 9 compare
More reference data data for Ireland
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.19 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 4.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0921 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 4.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 4.87 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 3.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.6 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 21.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.5015 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is democracy in Ireland?
- Democracy in Ireland was 9 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest democracy recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 9 in 1981.
- What is the lowest democracy recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1789.
- How does Ireland rank for democracy?
- Ireland ranks 1st out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is democracy rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of 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
Political regime of a country using the Regimes of the World classification by political scientists Anna Lührmann, Marcus Tannenberg and Staffan Lindberg, including ambiguous categories.