Photo: User:Pieter Kuiper · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 09 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Sweden: Democracy & Civil Liberties
Do people choose their rulers, and can they speak freely?
Sweden is placed 5th 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 1.739 (2025); Civic Space Ratings 81 (2025).
Share
Democracy & Civil Liberties
5th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 1.739Rule of Law, 2025Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
- 81Civic Space Ratings, 2025Civic space score (0–100)
- 0.889V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index, 2025Electoral democracy index (0–1)
- 88.61Perceptions 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 Sweden 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.
1.739
Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Higher is better
Sweden: 1.739. 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 Northern Europe
- 2.012 Finland
- Land neighbours
- Finland 2.012 · Norway 1.941
81
Civic space score (0–100)
Higher is better
Sweden: 81. 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 Northern Europe
- 98.1 Norway
- Land neighbours
- Finland 88.92 · Norway 98.1
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
0.889
Electoral democracy index (0–1)
Higher is better
Sweden: 0.889. 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 Northern Europe
- 0.913 Denmark
- Land neighbours
- Finland 0.852 · Norway 0.89
Key 4 of 4
Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index
Electoral Integrity Project (EIP)
Latest reading per country, 2015–2025 · Sweden’s is from 2022 · CC BY 4.0
88.61
Electoral Integrity Index (0–100; higher = greater electoral integrity)
Higher is better
Sweden: 88.61. 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 Northern Europe
- 88.61 Sweden
- Land neighbours
- Finland 84.78 · Norway 83.34
02Over time
Which way Sweden 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
SwedenWorld median
Sweden fell from 1.881 in 2000 to 1.739 in 2025; the world median went from -0.175 to -0.102.
Every year’s figures
Year Sweden World median 2025 1.7392 -0.10240 2024 1.7415 -0.10722 2023 1.7195 -0.10312 2022 1.7513 -0.12950 2021 1.7955 -0.13640 2020 1.8039 -0.14164 2019 1.8636 -0.13092 2018 1.8321 -0.13830 2017 1.8796 -0.15682 2016 1.9491 -0.15385 2015 1.9467 -0.18731 2014 1.8866 -0.20216 2013 1.9000 -0.21236 2012 1.9263 -0.20061 2011 1.8980 -0.25960 2010 1.8514 -0.21447 2009 1.8525 -0.15524 2008 1.9134 -0.16368 2007 1.8876 -0.15051 2006 1.8460 -0.11143 2005 1.7738 -0.08498 2004 1.8457 -0.14158 2003 1.9128 -0.15770 2002 1.8960 -0.13265 2000 1.8809 -0.17518 V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index
Electoral democracy index (0–1) · higher is better
SwedenWorld median
Sweden fell from 0.909 in 2000 to 0.889 in 2025; the world median went from 0.478 to 0.497.
Every year’s figures
Year Sweden World median 2025 0.889 0.4975 2024 0.881 0.4970 2023 0.883 0.5070 2022 0.892 0.5130 2021 0.900 0.5290 2020 0.901 0.5305 2019 0.899 0.5280 2018 0.908 0.5290 2017 0.914 0.5395 2016 0.914 0.5360 2015 0.915 0.5360 2014 0.915 0.5295 2013 0.916 0.5205 2012 0.917 0.5180 2011 0.914 0.5215 2010 0.914 0.5250 2009 0.914 0.5170 2008 0.914 0.5120 2007 0.914 0.5220 2006 0.912 0.5420 2005 0.911 0.5200 2004 0.911 0.5270 2003 0.911 0.5290 2002 0.910 0.5060 2001 0.909 0.4940 2000 0.909 0.4780
03In context
Sweden 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.
Sweden 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Norway | 1st | 1.941 | 98.1 | 0.89 | 83.34 |
 Finland | 4th | 2.012 | 88.92 | 0.852 | 84.78 |
| Sweden | 5th | 1.739 | 81 | 0.889 | 88.61 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Northern Europe
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 Sweden in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Sweden 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 median24
Statistics on which Sweden does better than the middle country measured.
Freedom of Peaceful AssemblyV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.7563.4860.756No real change since 2015
Sweden: 3.486 · 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 1st of 172 · derived.
Physical Violence IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.790.9890.79No real change since 2015
Sweden: 0.989 · 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 1st of 176 · derived.
Liberal Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3530.8530.353No real change since 2015
Sweden: 0.853 · 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 2nd of 176 · derived.
Neopatrimonial Rule IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4450.0160.445No real change since 2015
Sweden: 0.016 · 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 174th of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Government Social Media CensorshipV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5052.1420.505▲ Improved since 2015
Sweden: 2.142 · 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 3rd of 176 · derived.
Social Institutions and Gender IndexOECD · 2023 · world median 25.28.825.2No earlier reading
Sweden: 8.8 · 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 138th of 140 · derived, 1st = worst.
Voice and AccountabilityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.0221.63-0.022No real change since 2015
Sweden: 1.63 · 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 4th of 206 · derived.
Deliberative Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3390.8170.339No real change since 2015
Sweden: 0.817 · 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 5th of 176 · derived.
Government Dissemination of False Information (Domestic)V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median -0.1142.531-0.114▲ Improved since 2015
Sweden: 2.531 · 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 5th of 176 · derived.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.9340.619▲ Improved since 2015
Sweden: 0.934 · 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 6th of 176 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.6101.61▲ Improved since 2015
Sweden: 0 · 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.
Egalitarian Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3210.8020.321▼ Worsened since 2015
Sweden: 0.802 · 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 7th of 176 · derived.
Judicial Constraints on the Executive IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6760.9660.676No real change since 2015
Sweden: 0.966 · 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 7th of 175 · derived.
Participatory Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.2980.6350.298No real change since 2015
Sweden: 0.635 · 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 7th of 176 · derived.
Government Internet ShutdownsV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.0231.9061.023▲ Improved since 2015
Sweden: 1.906 · 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 9th of 176 · derived.
Freedom of Expression and Alternative Sources of Information IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6930.9460.693▼ Worsened since 2015
Sweden: 0.946 · 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 10th of 176 · derived.
Government Censorship of the MediaV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5652.7470.565▼ Worsened since 2015
Sweden: 2.747 · 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 11th of 176 · derived.
Equal Protection IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6510.9240.651No real change since 2015
Sweden: 0.924 · 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 12th of 176 · derived.
Exclusion by Socio-Economic GroupV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2023 · world median 0.4130.0380.413No real change since 2013
Sweden: 0.038 · 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 162nd of 174 · derived, 1st = worst.
Freedom of Foreign MovementV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.22.3341.2▲ Improved since 2015
Sweden: 2.334 · 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 13th of 176 · derived.
Women's Political Empowerment IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.7720.9230.772▼ Worsened since 2015
Sweden: 0.923 · 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 18th of 176 · derived.
Military Dimension IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.100.1▼ Worsened since 2015
Sweden: 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.
Freedom of ReligionV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.2961.9971.296▼ Worsened since 2015
Sweden: 1.997 · 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 39th of 176 · derived.
Political PolarizationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.359-0.6680.359▼ Worsened since 2015
Sweden: -0.668 · 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 124th of 172 · derived, 1st = worst.
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 0.191-0.5420.191Moved since 2015
Sweden: -0.542 · 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 Sweden’s 16 topics
Democracy & Civil Liberties is Sweden’s 2nd best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Governance & Institutions3rd of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties5th of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital5th of 1963/3 keys
- Energy6th of 1653/3 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 11th of 1984/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge14th of 1983/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 15th of 1834/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 16th of 1934/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation17th of 1764/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing22nd of 2003/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 21st of 1774/4 keys
- Mobility & Tradejoint 30th of 1774/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality37th of 1593/3 keys
- Work & Labour51st of 1824/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture53rd of 1844/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability70th of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on democracy & civil liberties
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Sweden can most readily be measured against.
1NorwayNorthern 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 Europe
Norway1st4/4 keysThis page
Sweden5th4/4 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 Sweden and democracy & civil liberties
08Questions
Sweden 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 Sweden rank on democracy & civil liberties?
Sweden is placed 5th 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 Sweden?
1.739 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 Sweden?
81 in 2025 (civic space score (0–100)), according to CIVICUS. The world median in the same edition was 50.46.
How does Sweden compare with Finland on democracy & civil liberties?
Finland is placed 4th of 198, and Sweden 5th. Rule of Law: Finland 2.012, Sweden 1.739; Civic Space Ratings: Finland 88.92, Sweden 81; V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index: Finland 0.852, Sweden 0.889; Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index: Finland 84.78, Sweden 88.61.
How have Sweden’s democracy & civil liberties figures changed?
Rule of Law fell from 1.881 in 2000 to 1.739 in 2025; V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index fell from 0.909 in 2000 to 0.889 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
Sweden’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Sweden (banner) — User:Pieter Kuiper, Public domain
- 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). Sweden: Democracy & Civil Liberties — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/sweden/democracy