The V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden has released its latest global democracy report. According to this report, Iran ranks 147th out of 179 countries worldwide.
In the Liberal Democracy Index (LDI) assessed in this report, Iran’s ranking remains unchanged at 147th among 179 countries.
Among Iran’s neighbors, Qatar is ranked 150th, the United Arab Emirates 152nd, Azerbaijan 161st, Afghanistan 176th, Pakistan 116th, Iraq 111th, and Turkey 139th.
The Liberal Democracy Index (LDI) combines various elements of democracy and assesses the overall quality of liberal democracy in a country. This index particularly focuses on individual rights, civil liberties, judicial independence, and the rule of law, reflecting how these principles are incorporated into a country’s democratic institutions.
Iran’s ranking in the Electoral Democracy Index (EDI) also remains unchanged at 158th. This index emphasizes the competitiveness and transparency of elections in a country. It assesses the level of electoral freedom and fairness, considering factors such as universal suffrage, the absence of electoral manipulation, and the conduct of free elections.
In the most recent elections held by the Iranian regime in June and July 2024, citizen observations and various assessments indicated that the officially announced voter turnout rate did not align with reality.
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Additionally, through the Guardian Council, the Iranian regime has significantly reduced the role of elected bodies in its structure by widely disqualifying candidates in elections and establishing new governing institutions.
The latest V-Dem Institute report ranks Iran 142nd in the Liberal Component Index (LCI), with no change from previous assessments. This index evaluates individual rights and freedoms in a country, measuring the extent of respect for fundamental freedoms such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, and human rights.
Among Iran’s neighbors, Iraq ranks 108th in this index, Turkey 146th, Pakistan 113th, Qatar 140th, the United Arab Emirates 143rd, and Afghanistan 175th.
In the fall of this year, the final text of the so-called “Chastity and Hijab” law was published, in which Iranian regime lawmakers imposed severe penalties and punishments. Additionally, protests in Iran have been increasingly suppressed.
In the Egalitarian Component Index (ECI), which assesses equal access to resources and opportunities for all citizens, Iran ranks 122nd. Meanwhile, in the Participatory Component Index (PCI), which evaluates the level of public engagement in democratic processes, Iran is ranked 174th. Iran’s scores in both indices remain unchanged from previous reports.
