Electoral Democracy

Expert estimates of the extent to which political leaders are elected under comprehensive voting rights in free and fair elections, and freedoms of association and expression are guaranteed. 

Scale: 0 to 1 (higher = more democratic).

Direction of Change

ELECTORAL DEMOCRACY ADVANCED EARLY, THEN GRADUALLY WEAKENED

The index shows that Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced a sharp rise in electoral democracy in the late 1990s, followed by a long period of stagnation and gradual decline. From a very low baseline in 1995, the index increased rapidly by 2000, reaching its highest levels in the early 2000s. This period marks the peak of electoral institutional development, after which scores begin to level off and then slowly weaken. From around 2005 onward, values follow an incremental downward trajectory, with minor fluctuations but no return to earlier highs. The decline becomes more consistent after 2010, and by the early 2020s, the index settles at its lowest point since the early post-war years. By 2024, electoral democracy will remain significantly below its peak, indicating long-term decline rather than sustained improvement.

Global Rank

Compared with all geographic entities listed in the Index

Note: Population-weighted averages for Europe and the world.

Regional Rank

Compared with six former Yugoslav countries and Albania

Note: In 1995, Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo were part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

1995 (highest → lowest): Slovenia, North Macedonia, Albania, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

2024 (highest → lowest): Croatia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Serbia.

Conclusion

Electoral democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina improved rapidly after 1995, reached its strongest point in the early 2000s, and then steadily weakened, with 2024 levels notably below those of the earlier period of progress.

Source: V-Dem (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.