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Topic 09 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Bhutan: Democracy & Civil Liberties
Do people choose their rulers, and can they speak freely?
Bhutan is placed 71st of 198 countries on democracy & civil liberties in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Rule of Law 0.722 (2025); Civic Space Ratings 50.74 (2025).
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Democracy & Civil Liberties
71st
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 0.722Rule of Law, 2025Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
- 50.74Civic Space Ratings, 2025Civic space score (0–100)
- 0.566V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index, 2025Electoral democracy index (0–1)
- 62.96Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index, 2025Electoral Integrity Index (0–100; higher = greater electoral integrity)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Bhutan on democracy & civil liberties — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
0.722
Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Higher is better
Bhutan: 0.722. Across the 211 countries in this edition, values run from -2.199 (Venezuela) to 2.012 (Finland); the world median is -0.102.
- World median
- -0.102
- Best in Southern Asia
- 0.722 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- China -0.429 · India -0.129
50.74
Civic space score (0–100)
Higher is better
Bhutan: 50.74. Across the 198 countries in this edition, values run from 2.17 (North Korea) to 100 (Kiribati); the world median is 50.46.
- World median
- 50.46
- Best in Southern Asia
- 50.74 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- China 9.67 · India 30
Key 3 of 4
V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
0.566
Electoral democracy index (0–1)
Higher is better
Bhutan: 0.566. Across the 176 countries in this edition, values run from 0.016 (Saudi Arabia) to 0.913 (Denmark); the world median is 0.497.
- World median
- 0.497
- Best in Southern Asia
- 0.783 Sri Lanka
- Land neighbours
- China 0.072 · India 0.377
Key 4 of 4
Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index
Electoral Integrity Project (EIP)
Latest reading per country, 2015–2025 · Bhutan’s is from 2024 · CC BY 4.0
62.96
Electoral Integrity Index (0–100; higher = greater electoral integrity)
Higher is better
Bhutan: 62.96. Across the 171 countries at their latest reading, values run from 12.86 (Iraq) to 88.61 (Sweden); the world median is 54.78.
- World median
- 54.78
- Best in Southern Asia
- 62.96 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- India 51.74
02Over time
Which way Bhutan is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Rule of Law
Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5) · higher is better
BhutanWorld median
Bhutan rose from -0.17 in 2000 to 0.722 in 2025; the world median went from -0.175 to -0.102.
Every year’s figures
Year Bhutan World median 2025 0.7218 -0.10240 2024 0.8025 -0.10722 2023 0.7360 -0.10312 2022 0.6976 -0.12950 2021 0.7035 -0.13640 2020 0.6721 -0.14164 2019 0.6819 -0.13092 2018 0.6878 -0.13830 2017 0.6449 -0.15682 2016 0.5272 -0.15385 2015 0.5212 -0.18731 2014 0.3444 -0.20216 2013 0.2462 -0.21236 2012 0.1552 -0.20061 2011 0.1723 -0.25960 2010 0.1316 -0.21447 2009 0.1585 -0.15524 2008 0.3639 -0.16368 2007 0.2212 -0.15051 2006 0.0451 -0.11143 2005 0.2534 -0.08498 2004 0.0921 -0.14158 2003 -0.1373 -0.15770 2002 -0.1372 -0.13265 2000 -0.1705 -0.17518 V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index
Electoral democracy index (0–1) · higher is better
BhutanWorld median
Bhutan rose from 0.091 in 2000 to 0.566 in 2025; the world median went from 0.478 to 0.497.
Every year’s figures
Year Bhutan World median 2025 0.566 0.4975 2024 0.565 0.4970 2023 0.532 0.5070 2022 0.558 0.5130 2021 0.574 0.5290 2020 0.598 0.5305 2019 0.598 0.5280 2018 0.579 0.5290 2017 0.571 0.5395 2016 0.558 0.5360 2015 0.568 0.5360 2014 0.564 0.5295 2013 0.573 0.5205 2012 0.597 0.5180 2011 0.601 0.5215 2010 0.601 0.5250 2009 0.587 0.5170 2008 0.491 0.5120 2007 0.133 0.5220 2006 0.107 0.5420 2005 0.099 0.5200 2004 0.098 0.5270 2003 0.096 0.5290 2002 0.095 0.5060 2001 0.093 0.4940 2000 0.091 0.4780
03In context
Bhutan beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 198 countries on democracy & civil liberties, never a place within the region.
Bhutan and the countries it borders
Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Rule of LawRule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5) | Civic Space RatingsCivic space score (0–100) | V-Dem Electoral Democracy IndexElectoral democracy index (0–1) | Perceptions of Electoral Integrity IndexElectoral Integrity Index (0–100; higher = greater electoral integrity) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bhutan | 71st | 0.722 | 50.74 | 0.566 | 62.96 |
 India | =119th | -0.129 | 30 | 0.377 | 51.74 |
 China | 178th | -0.429 | 9.67 | 0.072 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.
Placed either side on democracy & civil liberties
The countries immediately above and below Bhutan in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Bhutan is ahead of the world, and behind
24 more statistics filed under democracy & civil liberties, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median14
Statistics on which Bhutan does better than the middle country measured.
Exclusion by Socio-Economic GroupV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2023 · world median 0.4130.1730.413▲ Improved since 2013
Bhutan: 0.173 · world median 0.413 · Exclusion by socio-economic group index (0–1; higher = more exclusion). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.014 to 0.969; lower is better.
Position 134th of 174 · derived, 1st = worst.
Political PolarizationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.359-0.8940.359No real change since 2015
Bhutan: -0.894 · world median 0.359 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.8 to +3.9); higher = more polarized. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.974 to 3.682; lower is better.
Position 130th of 172 · derived, 1st = worst.
Neopatrimonial Rule IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4450.1830.445▼ Worsened since 2015
Bhutan: 0.183 · world median 0.445 · Neopatrimonial rule index (0–1; higher = more personalised rule). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.008 to 0.989; lower is better.
Position 133rd of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Equal Protection IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6510.7720.651▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 0.772 · world median 0.651 · Equal protection index (0–1); higher = rights and freedoms protected more equally across social groups and classes. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.027 to 0.986; higher is better.
Position 46th of 176 · derived.
Government Dissemination of False Information (Domestic)V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median -0.1140.987-0.114▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 0.987 · world median -0.114 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.2); higher = less disinformation. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.392 to 2.93; higher is better.
Position 47th of 176 · derived.
Deliberative Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3390.5030.339▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 0.503 · world median 0.339 · Deliberative democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.011 to 0.867; higher is better.
Position 53rd of 176 · derived.
Judicial Constraints on the Executive IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6760.8020.676▼ Worsened since 2015
Bhutan: 0.802 · world median 0.676 · Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.988; higher is better.
Position 56th of 175 · derived.
Government Censorship of the MediaV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5651.2410.565▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 1.241 · world median 0.565 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3 to +3.5); higher = less censorship. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.017 to 3.489; higher is better.
Position 57th of 176 · derived.
Egalitarian Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3210.4630.321▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 0.463 · world median 0.321 · Egalitarian democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.016 to 0.876; higher is better.
Position 58th of 176 · derived.
Liberal Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3530.4570.353▼ Worsened since 2015
Bhutan: 0.457 · world median 0.353 · Liberal democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.009 to 0.884; higher is better.
Position 71st of 176 · derived.
Participatory Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.2980.3490.298▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 0.349 · world median 0.298 · Participatory democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.008 to 0.785; higher is better.
Position 71st of 176 · derived.
Physical Violence IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.790.8340.79▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 0.834 · world median 0.79 · Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.053 to 0.989; higher is better.
Position 76th of 176 · derived.
Voice and AccountabilityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.0220.211-0.022▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 0.211 · world median -0.022 · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.348 to 1.825; higher is better.
Position 89th of 206 · derived.
Freedom of Peaceful AssemblyV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.7560.7680.756▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 0.768 · world median 0.756 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.5 to +3.5); higher = more freedom. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.344 to 3.486; higher is better.
Position 85th of 172 · derived.
Behind the world median9
Statistics on which Bhutan does worse than the middle country measured.
Freedom of Expression and Alternative Sources of Information IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6930.6820.693▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 0.682 · world median 0.693 · Freedom of expression index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.013 to 0.98; higher is better.
Position 93rd of 176 · derived.
Freedom of Foreign MovementV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.21.0081.2▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 1.008 · world median 1.2 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +2.9); higher = freer movement. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.642 to 2.727; higher is better.
Position 95th of 176 · derived.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.4010.619▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 0.401 · world median 0.619 · Academic freedom index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.019 to 0.978; higher is better.
Position 116th of 176 · derived.
Military Dimension IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.10.1670.1▼ Worsened since 2015
Bhutan: 0.167 · world median 0.1 · Military dimension index (0–1; higher = larger military role). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; lower is better.
Women's Political Empowerment IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.7720.6750.772▼ Worsened since 2015
Bhutan: 0.675 · world median 0.772 · Women's political empowerment index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.028 to 0.954; higher is better.
Position 117th of 176 · derived.
Social Institutions and Gender IndexOECD · 2023 · world median 25.232.925.2No earlier reading
Bhutan: 32.9 · world median 25.2 · SIGI score (0 = no discrimination, 100 = absolute). OECD, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.7 to 67.4; lower is better.
Position 46th of 140 · derived, 1st = worst.
Government Social Media CensorshipV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.505-0.9180.505No real change since 2015
Bhutan: -0.918 · world median 0.505 · Original latent estimate (≈ −4.5 to +2.4); higher = less censorship. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.721 to 2.295; higher is better.
Position 140th of 176 · derived.
Government Internet ShutdownsV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.023-0.9891.023No real change since 2015
Bhutan: -0.989 · world median 1.023 · Original latent estimate (≈ −4 to +2); higher = fewer shutdowns. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.547 to 2.081; higher is better.
Position 144th of 176 · derived.
Freedom of ReligionV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.296-0.7221.296▼ Worsened since 2015
Bhutan: -0.722 · world median 1.296 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.5 to +3); higher = more religious freedom. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.294 to 2.792; higher is better.
Position 150th of 176 · derived.
No better end1
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Mass MobilizationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.191-1.9280.191Moved since 2015
Bhutan: -1.928 · world median 0.191 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +4); higher = more and larger events. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.318 to 3.847.
No current reading for Bhutan
Compliance with Labour Rights. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Democracy & Civil Liberties among Bhutan’s 15 topics
Democracy & Civil Liberties is Bhutan’s 5th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy1st of 1652/3 keys
- Poverty & Inequality10th of 1593/3 keys
- Peace & Security28th of 1773/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions51st of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties71st of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation68th of 1762/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience76th of 1933/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 72nd of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability87th of 1864/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture88th of 1843/4 keys
- Digital & Technology111th of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 118th of 2003/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge120th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 122nd of 1834/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital133rd of 1963/3 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on democracy & civil liberties
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Bhutan can most readily be measured against.
1
NorwayNorthern Europe
1st of 198 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
DenmarkNorthern Europe
2nd of 198 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
LiechtensteinWestern Europe
3rd of 198 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Guido Radig,Inkey · CC BY 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan28th4/4 keysHighest in Southern Asia
Bhutan71st4/4 keys
Positions out of 198 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Bhutan and democracy & civil liberties
08Questions
Bhutan on democracy & civil liberties: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Bhutan rank on democracy & civil liberties?
Bhutan is placed 71st of 198 countries on Democracy & Civil Liberties in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Rule of Law, Civic Space Ratings, V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index and Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Rule of Law figure for Bhutan?
0.722 in 2025 (rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was -0.102.
What is the latest Civic Space Ratings figure for Bhutan?
50.74 in 2025 (civic space score (0–100)), according to CIVICUS. The world median in the same edition was 50.46.
How does Bhutan compare with India on democracy & civil liberties?
India is placed joint 119th of 198, and Bhutan 71st. Rule of Law: India -0.129, Bhutan 0.722; Civic Space Ratings: India 30, Bhutan 50.74; V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index: India 0.377, Bhutan 0.566; Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index: India 51.74, Bhutan 62.96.
How have Bhutan’s democracy & civil liberties figures changed?
Rule of Law rose from -0.17 in 2000 to 0.722 in 2025; V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index rose from 0.091 in 2000 to 0.566 in 2025.
Which democracy & civil liberties statistics are missing for Bhutan?
No current reading is published for Bhutan on Compliance with Labour Rights. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This topic does not judge whether a government is competent or honest — that is Governance & Institutions — and it does not measure economic freedom. It also cannot capture everything about a political system in a single place in a list, which is why every key behind it links to the publisher's full edition.
How the Democracy & Civil Liberties standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The democracy & civil liberties method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Rule of Law — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Civic Space Ratings — CIVICUS, CC BY-SA 4.0
- V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index — V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index — Electoral Integrity Project (EIP), CC BY 4.0
The other 24 statistics on this page come from 3 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Bhutan’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Bhutan (banner) — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Liechtenstein — Guido Radig,Inkey, CC BY 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Bhutan: Democracy & Civil Liberties — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/bhutan/democracy