Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Monday, 15 September 2025 04:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka has improved its position in three out of four categories in the 2025 Global State of Democracy Indices released by International IDEA. The country ranked 58 for Representation, up 15 places from last year, 88 for Rights, up three places, and 60 for Rule of Law, up 23 places. Its score for Participation fell three places to 51.
The indices rank 165 countries on four pillars of democracy. Globally, the report noted that representation remains democracy’s strongest aspect, but it also saw its sharpest decline in over 20 years during a record 74 national elections in 2024.
Sri Lanka’s 58th ranking is ahead of India (73), Maldives (89), Singapore (96), Pakistan (113), Vietnam (133) and China (151).
Germany tops the global ranking, followed by Denmark, Norway, Costa Rica and Chile to complete the top five democratic countries.
The United Kingdom ranks 15, while the United States is 35, between Cape Verde and Panama.
Sri Lanka was also highlighted as one of two countries in Asia and the Pacific, along with Fiji, to show advances in freedom of the press since 2019. Other notable improvements were recorded in Brazil, Czechia and Poland, which moved from mid-range to high performance.
International IDEA attributed Sri Lanka’s recent progress to the peaceful conduct of the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, which brought Anura Kumara Disanayake to power. The report said gains were recorded in Predictable Enforcement and Personal Integrity and Security, though further advances depend on the Government’s ability to deliver on its promises of anti-corruption and stability, it said.
Globally, the report noted that representation remains democracy’s strongest aspect, but it also saw its sharpest decline in over 20 years during a record 74 national elections in 2024. Rule of law continues to be the weakest dimension, with declines most evident in Europe. Participation levels remained broadly unchanged, with civic engagement sustaining democratic resilience in many regions.
