Photo: YoTuT derivative work: JamesA · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 09 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Somaliland: Democracy & Civil Liberties
Do people choose their rulers, and can they speak freely?
Somaliland is placed 122nd of 198 countries on democracy & civil liberties in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Civic Space Ratings 33.73 (2025); V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index 0.445 (2025).
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Democracy & Civil Liberties
122nd
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 2 of 4 key statistics
Not placed in the Country Index 2026 overall: measured on too few topics.
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Somaliland 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.
No reading
Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Higher is better
World Bank Group publishes no 2025 figure for Somaliland, so the standing rests on the other keys.
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 Eastern Africa
- 0.676 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Djibouti -1.022 · Ethiopia -0.938 · Somalia -2.167
33.73
Civic space score (0–100)
Higher is better
Somaliland: 33.73. 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 Eastern Africa
- 80 Seychelles
- Land neighbours
- Djibouti 12.48 · Ethiopia 20.49 · Somalia 28.18
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
0.445
Electoral democracy index (0–1)
Higher is better
Somaliland: 0.445. 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 Eastern Africa
- 0.76 Seychelles
- Land neighbours
- Djibouti 0.25 · Ethiopia 0.257 · Somalia 0.165
Key 4 of 4
Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index
Electoral Integrity Project (EIP)
Latest reading per country, 2015–2025 · CC BY 4.0
No reading
Electoral Integrity Index (0–100; higher = greater electoral integrity)
Higher is better
EIP publishes no reading from 2015–2025 for Somaliland, so the standing rests on the other keys.
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 Eastern Africa
- 70.07 Seychelles
- Land neighbours
- Djibouti 33.72 · Ethiopia 44.6
02Over time
Which way Somaliland 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.
V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index
Electoral democracy index (0–1) · higher is better
SomalilandWorld median
Somaliland rose from 0.17 in 2000 to 0.445 in 2025; the world median went from 0.478 to 0.497.
Every year’s figures
Year Somaliland World median 2025 0.445 0.4975 2024 0.420 0.4970 2023 0.402 0.5070 2022 0.408 0.5130 2021 0.406 0.5290 2020 0.399 0.5305 2019 0.395 0.5280 2018 0.400 0.5290 2017 0.413 0.5395 2016 0.408 0.5360 2015 0.401 0.5360 2014 0.401 0.5295 2013 0.402 0.5205 2012 0.436 0.5180 2011 0.436 0.5215 2010 0.414 0.5250 2009 0.393 0.5170 2008 0.393 0.5120 2007 0.393 0.5220 2006 0.394 0.5420 2005 0.384 0.5200 2004 0.378 0.5270 2003 0.356 0.5290 2002 0.198 0.5060 2001 0.179 0.4940 2000 0.170 0.4780
03In context
Somaliland 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.
Somaliland 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somaliland | 122nd | — | 33.73 | 0.445 | — |
 Ethiopia | 151st | -0.938 | 20.49 | 0.257 | 44.6 |
 Djibouti | 171st | -1.022 | 12.48 | 0.25 | 33.72 |
 Somalia | 182nd | -2.167 | 28.18 | 0.165 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Africa
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 Somaliland in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Somaliland is ahead of the world, and behind
19 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 median1
Statistics on which Somaliland does better than the middle country measured.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.7090.619▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: 0.709 · 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 71st of 176 · derived.
Behind the world median17
Statistics on which Somaliland does worse than the middle country measured.
Freedom of Foreign MovementV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.21.0571.2▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: 1.057 · 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 92nd of 176 · derived.
Government Internet ShutdownsV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.0230.9931.023▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: 0.993 · 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 92nd of 176 · derived.
Deliberative Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3390.3010.339▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: 0.301 · 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 95th of 176 · derived.
Participatory Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.2980.2680.298▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: 0.268 · 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 95th of 176 · derived.
Liberal Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3530.2970.353▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: 0.297 · 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 97th of 176 · derived.
Freedom of Expression and Alternative Sources of Information IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6930.6530.693▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: 0.653 · 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 100th of 176 · derived.
Neopatrimonial Rule IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4450.590.445▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: 0.59 · 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 74th of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Government Censorship of the MediaV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5650.0640.565▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: 0.064 · 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 106th of 176 · derived.
Physical Violence IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.790.6510.79▼ Worsened since 2015
Somaliland: 0.651 · 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 108th of 176 · derived.
Government Dissemination of False Information (Domestic)V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median -0.114-0.613-0.114▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: -0.613 · 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 110th of 176 · derived.
Judicial Constraints on the Executive IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6760.4610.676▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: 0.461 · 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 111th of 175 · derived.
Government Social Media CensorshipV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.505-0.2550.505No real change since 2015
Somaliland: -0.255 · 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 112th of 176 · derived.
Egalitarian Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3210.1930.321▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: 0.193 · 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 121st of 176 · derived.
Freedom of ReligionV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.296-0.0891.296▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: -0.089 · 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 136th of 176 · derived.
Equal Protection IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6510.2870.651▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: 0.287 · 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 147th of 176 · derived.
Women's Political Empowerment IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.7720.4680.772▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: 0.468 · 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 156th of 176 · derived.
Exclusion by Socio-Economic GroupV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2023 · world median 0.4130.8430.413▼ Worsened since 2013
Somaliland: 0.843 · 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 13th of 174 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Military Dimension IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.10.10.1▲ Improved since 2015
Somaliland: 0.1 · 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.
No current reading for Somaliland
Compliance with Labour Rights, Freedom of Peaceful Assembly (last 2024), Mass Mobilization (last 2024), Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index, Political Polarization (last 2024), Rule of Law, Social Institutions and Gender Index and Voice and Accountability. 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
05The top of the list
Who leads on democracy & civil liberties
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Somaliland 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 Africa
Cabo Verde37th4/4 keysHighest in Eastern Africa
Seychelles44th4/4 keysThis page
Somaliland122nd2/4 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.
06Analysis
Charts and analysis about Somaliland and democracy & civil liberties
07Questions
Somaliland 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 Somaliland rank on democracy & civil liberties?
Somaliland is placed 122nd of 198 countries on Democracy & Civil Liberties in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 4 key statistics (Civic Space Ratings and V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Civic Space Ratings figure for Somaliland?
33.73 in 2025 (civic space score (0–100)), according to CIVICUS. The world median in the same edition was 50.46.
What is the latest V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index figure for Somaliland?
0.445 in 2025 (electoral democracy index (0–1)), according to V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg. The world median in the same edition was 0.497.
How does Somaliland compare with Ethiopia on democracy & civil liberties?
Ethiopia is placed 151st of 198, and Somaliland 122nd. Civic Space Ratings: Ethiopia 20.49, Somaliland 33.73; V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index: Ethiopia 0.257, Somaliland 0.445.
How have Somaliland’s democracy & civil liberties figures changed?
V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index rose from 0.17 in 2000 to 0.445 in 2025.
Which democracy & civil liberties statistics are missing for Somaliland?
No current reading is published for Somaliland on Compliance with Labour Rights, Freedom of Peaceful Assembly, Mass Mobilization, Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index, Political Polarization, Rule of Law, Social Institutions and Gender Index and Voice and Accountability. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
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 19 statistics on this page come from 1 publisher, 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
Somaliland’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Somaliland (banner) — YoTuT derivative work: JamesA, CC BY 2.0
- 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). Somaliland: Democracy & Civil Liberties — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/somaliland/democracy