Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 09 of 18 · Country Index 2026
South Korea: Democracy & Civil Liberties
Do people choose their rulers, and can they speak freely?
South Korea is placed joint 38th 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 1.195 (2025); Civic Space Ratings 72.93 (2025).
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Democracy & Civil Liberties
joint38th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 1.195Rule of Law, 2025Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
- 72.93Civic Space Ratings, 2025Civic space score (0–100)
- 0.819V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index, 2025Electoral democracy index (0–1)
- 67.86Perceptions 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 South Korea 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.
1.195
Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Higher is better
South Korea: 1.195. 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 Asia
- 1.542 Japan
- Land neighbours
- North Korea -1.486
72.93
Civic space score (0–100)
Higher is better
South Korea: 72.93. 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 Asia
- 87.92 Taiwan
- Land neighbours
- North Korea 2.17
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
0.819
Electoral democracy index (0–1)
Higher is better
South Korea: 0.819. 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 Asia
- 0.819 Japan and South Korea
- Land neighbours
- North Korea 0.083
Key 4 of 4
Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index
Electoral Integrity Project (EIP)
Latest reading per country, 2015–2025 · South Korea’s is from 2025 · CC BY 4.0
67.86
Electoral Integrity Index (0–100; higher = greater electoral integrity)
Higher is better
South Korea: 67.86. 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 Asia
- 70.03 Taiwan
02Over time
Which way South Korea 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
South KoreaWorld median
South Korea rose from 0.75 in 2000 to 1.195 in 2025; the world median went from -0.175 to -0.102.
Every year’s figures
Year South Korea World median 2025 1.195 -0.10240 2024 1.119 -0.10722 2023 1.176 -0.10312 2022 1.189 -0.12950 2021 1.183 -0.13640 2020 1.161 -0.14164 2019 1.113 -0.13092 2018 1.115 -0.13830 2017 1.025 -0.15682 2016 1.039 -0.15385 2015 1.011 -0.18731 2014 1.066 -0.20216 2013 0.994 -0.21236 2012 1.022 -0.20061 2011 0.928 -0.25960 2010 0.917 -0.21447 2009 0.937 -0.15524 2008 0.901 -0.16368 2007 1.002 -0.15051 2006 0.848 -0.11143 2005 0.921 -0.08498 2004 0.880 -0.14158 2003 0.778 -0.15770 2002 0.785 -0.13265 2000 0.750 -0.17518 V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index
Electoral democracy index (0–1) · higher is better
South KoreaWorld median
South Korea fell from 0.829 in 2000 to 0.819 in 2025; the world median went from 0.478 to 0.497.
Every year’s figures
Year South Korea World median 2025 0.819 0.4975 2024 0.724 0.4970 2023 0.722 0.5070 2022 0.802 0.5130 2021 0.852 0.5290 2020 0.850 0.5305 2019 0.842 0.5280 2018 0.857 0.5290 2017 0.852 0.5395 2016 0.718 0.5360 2015 0.705 0.5360 2014 0.705 0.5295 2013 0.716 0.5205 2012 0.753 0.5180 2011 0.762 0.5215 2010 0.762 0.5250 2009 0.759 0.5170 2008 0.759 0.5120 2007 0.834 0.5220 2006 0.834 0.5420 2005 0.834 0.5200 2004 0.834 0.5270 2003 0.835 0.5290 2002 0.833 0.5060 2001 0.833 0.4940 2000 0.829 0.4780
03In context
South Korea 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.
South Korea 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | =38th | 1.195 | 72.93 | 0.819 | 67.86 |
 North Koreacompare | 196th | -1.486 | 2.17 | 0.083 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern 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 South Korea in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where South Korea is ahead of the world, and behind
25 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 median22
Statistics on which South Korea does better than the middle country measured.
Government Internet ShutdownsV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.0231.9791.023No real change since 2015
South Korea: 1.979 · 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 3rd of 176 · derived.
Freedom of Expression and Alternative Sources of Information IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6930.9330.693▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 0.933 · 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 12th of 176 · derived.
Deliberative Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3390.7510.339▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 0.751 · 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 16th of 176 · derived.
Freedom of Peaceful AssemblyV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.7562.5420.756▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 2.542 · 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 18th of 172 · derived.
Egalitarian Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3210.7120.321▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 0.712 · 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 20th of 176 · derived.
Liberal Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3530.7390.353▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 0.739 · 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 22nd of 176 · derived.
Participatory Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.2980.5510.298▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 0.551 · 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 27th of 176 · derived.
Physical Violence IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.790.9520.79▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 0.952 · 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 28th of 176 · derived.
Neopatrimonial Rule IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4450.0970.445▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 0.097 · 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 148th of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Government Censorship of the MediaV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5651.8670.565▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 1.867 · 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 29th of 176 · derived.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.850.619▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 0.85 · 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 35th of 176 · derived.
Government Social Media CensorshipV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5051.6510.505▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 1.651 · 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 36th of 176 · derived.
Judicial Constraints on the Executive IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6760.8720.676▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 0.872 · 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 36th of 175 · derived.
Equal Protection IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6510.8170.651▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 0.817 · 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 38th of 176 · derived.
Government Dissemination of False Information (Domestic)V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median -0.1141.132-0.114▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 1.132 · 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 38th of 176 · derived.
Women's Political Empowerment IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.7720.8780.772▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 0.878 · 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 37th of 176 · derived.
Exclusion by Socio-Economic GroupV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2023 · world median 0.4130.1630.413▼ Worsened since 2013
South Korea: 0.163 · 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 137th of 174 · derived, 1st = worst.
Military Dimension IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.100.1▼ Worsened since 2015
South Korea: 0 · 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.
Voice and AccountabilityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.0220.876-0.022▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 0.876 · 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 49th of 206 · derived.
Freedom of ReligionV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.2961.8361.296▼ Worsened since 2015
South Korea: 1.836 · 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 49th of 176 · derived.
Social Institutions and Gender IndexOECD · 2023 · world median 25.219.825.2No earlier reading
South Korea: 19.8 · 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 87th of 140 · derived, 1st = worst.
Freedom of Foreign MovementV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.21.5161.2▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 1.516 · 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 72nd of 176 · derived.
Behind the world median2
Statistics on which South Korea does worse than the middle country measured.
Political PolarizationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3591.4380.359▼ Worsened since 2015
South Korea: 1.438 · 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 40th of 172 · derived, 1st = worst.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.615.631.61▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 5.63 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
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 0.1913.1290.191Moved since 2015
South Korea: 3.129 · 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.
“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 South Korea’s 15 topics
Democracy & Civil Liberties is South Korea’s 13th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Digital & Technologyjoint 1st of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour3rd of 1824/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing5th of 2004/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge8th of 1983/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade8th of 1774/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation15th of 1764/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 19th of 1944/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital24th of 1963/3 keys
- Gender & Equality24th of 1834/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture32nd of 1843/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 35th of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality29th of 1593/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 38th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Security63rd of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability170th of 1864/4 keys
No standing on Energy: 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 South Korea 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 keysThis page
South Korea=38th4/4 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 South Korea and democracy & civil liberties
08Questions
South Korea 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 South Korea rank on democracy & civil liberties?
South Korea is placed joint 38th 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 South Korea?
1.195 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 South Korea?
72.93 in 2025 (civic space score (0–100)), according to CIVICUS. The world median in the same edition was 50.46.
How does South Korea compare with North Korea on democracy & civil liberties?
North Korea is placed 196th of 198, and South Korea joint 38th. Rule of Law: North Korea -1.486, South Korea 1.195; Civic Space Ratings: North Korea 2.17, South Korea 72.93; V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index: North Korea 0.083, South Korea 0.819.
How have South Korea’s democracy & civil liberties figures changed?
Rule of Law rose from 0.75 in 2000 to 1.195 in 2025; V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index fell from 0.829 in 2000 to 0.819 in 2025.
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 25 statistics on this page come from 4 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
South Korea’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- South Korea (banner) — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 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). South Korea: Democracy & Civil Liberties — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/south-korea/democracy