Photo: Damien du Toit · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 09 of 18 · Country Index 2026
South Africa: Democracy & Civil Liberties
Do people choose their rulers, and can they speak freely?
South Africa is placed 65th 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 0.041 (2025); Civic Space Ratings 59.79 (2025).
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Democracy & Civil Liberties
65th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 0.041Rule of Law, 2025Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
- 59.79Civic Space Ratings, 2025Civic space score (0–100)
- 0.743V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index, 2025Electoral democracy index (0–1)
- 67.68Perceptions 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 Africa 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.
0.041
Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Higher is better
South Africa: 0.041. 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 Southern Africa
- 0.376 Namibia
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 0.281 · Lesotho -0.465 · Mozambique -1.178 · Namibia 0.376 · Eswatini -0.779 · Zimbabwe -1.218
59.79
Civic space score (0–100)
Higher is better
South Africa: 59.79. 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 Southern Africa
- 80.15 Namibia
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 72 · Lesotho 59.67 · Mozambique 27.28 · Namibia 80.15 · Eswatini 15.43 · Zimbabwe 28.48
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
0.743
Electoral democracy index (0–1)
Higher is better
South Africa: 0.743. 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 Southern Africa
- 0.743 South Africa
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 0.665 · Lesotho 0.661 · Mozambique 0.279 · Namibia 0.633 · Eswatini 0.128 · Zimbabwe 0.268
Key 4 of 4
Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index
Electoral Integrity Project (EIP)
Latest reading per country, 2015–2025 · South Africa’s is from 2024 · CC BY 4.0
67.68
Electoral Integrity Index (0–100; higher = greater electoral integrity)
Higher is better
South Africa: 67.68. 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 Southern Africa
- 71.87 Lesotho
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 63.18 · Lesotho 71.87 · Mozambique 28.76 · Namibia 58.77 · Eswatini 23.07 · Zimbabwe 17.88
02Over time
Which way South Africa 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 AfricaWorld median
South Africa rose from -0.093 in 2000 to 0.041 in 2025; the world median went from -0.175 to -0.102.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2025 0.0408 -0.10240 2024 0.0357 -0.10722 2023 0.0622 -0.10312 2022 0.0340 -0.12950 2021 0.1405 -0.13640 2020 -0.0428 -0.14164 2019 -0.0793 -0.13092 2018 -0.0857 -0.13830 2017 0.0158 -0.15682 2016 0.0449 -0.15385 2015 0.0243 -0.18731 2014 0.0406 -0.20216 2013 0.0002 -0.21236 2012 -0.0061 -0.20061 2011 0.0109 -0.25960 2010 0.0430 -0.21447 2009 0.0142 -0.15524 2008 0.0615 -0.16368 2007 0.1381 -0.15051 2006 0.2845 -0.11143 2005 0.1368 -0.08498 2004 0.0898 -0.14158 2003 0.0554 -0.15770 2002 0.0206 -0.13265 2000 -0.0927 -0.17518 V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index
Electoral democracy index (0–1) · higher is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa was at 0.743 in both 2000 and 2025; the world median went from 0.478 to 0.497.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2025 0.743 0.4975 2024 0.734 0.4970 2023 0.712 0.5070 2022 0.718 0.5130 2021 0.725 0.5290 2020 0.719 0.5305 2019 0.727 0.5280 2018 0.747 0.5290 2017 0.738 0.5395 2016 0.752 0.5360 2015 0.755 0.5360 2014 0.758 0.5295 2013 0.765 0.5205 2012 0.779 0.5180 2011 0.777 0.5215 2010 0.778 0.5250 2009 0.775 0.5170 2008 0.775 0.5120 2007 0.779 0.5220 2006 0.779 0.5420 2005 0.778 0.5200 2004 0.764 0.5270 2003 0.743 0.5290 2002 0.743 0.5060 2001 0.743 0.4940 2000 0.743 0.4780
03In context
South Africa 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 Africa 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Botswana | 61st | 0.281 | 72 | 0.665 | 63.18 |
| South Africa | 65th | 0.041 | 59.79 | 0.743 | 67.68 |
 Namibia | 66th | 0.376 | 80.15 | 0.633 | 58.77 |
 Lesotho | =73rd | -0.465 | 59.67 | 0.661 | 71.87 |
 Mozambique | 162nd | -1.178 | 27.28 | 0.279 | 28.76 |
 Zimbabwe | 167th | -1.218 | 28.48 | 0.268 | 17.88 |
 Eswatini | 181st | -0.779 | 15.43 | 0.128 | 23.07 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.
- Botswana61st
- South Africa65th
- Namibia66th
- Lesotho=73rd
- Eswatini181st
Placed either side on democracy & civil liberties
The countries immediately above and below South Africa in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where South Africa 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 median23
Statistics on which South Africa does better than the middle country measured.
Freedom of ReligionV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.2962.4371.296▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 2.437 · 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 9th of 176 · derived.
Freedom of Peaceful AssemblyV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.7562.6970.756▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 2.697 · 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 14th of 172 · derived.
Government Social Media CensorshipV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5051.7940.505▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 1.794 · 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 29th of 176 · derived.
Freedom of Foreign MovementV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.22.1651.2▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 2.165 · 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 31st of 176 · derived.
Judicial Constraints on the Executive IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6760.8950.676▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 0.895 · 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 31st of 175 · derived.
Deliberative Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3390.6510.339▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 0.651 · 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 35th of 176 · derived.
Government Censorship of the MediaV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5651.6770.565▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 1.677 · 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 37th of 176 · derived.
Military Dimension IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.100.1▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 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.
Liberal Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3530.6330.353▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 0.633 · 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 39th of 176 · derived.
Government Dissemination of False Information (Domestic)V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median -0.1141.062-0.114▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 1.062 · 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 42nd of 176 · derived.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.8310.619▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 0.831 · 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 44th of 176 · derived.
Participatory Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.2980.470.298No real change since 2015
South Africa: 0.47 · 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 45th of 176 · derived.
Voice and AccountabilityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.0220.681-0.022▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 0.681 · 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 57th of 206 · derived.
Egalitarian Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3210.5180.321▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 0.518 · 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 49th of 176 · derived.
Neopatrimonial Rule IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4450.2140.445▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 0.214 · 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 127th of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Freedom of Expression and Alternative Sources of Information IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6930.8370.693No real change since 2015
South Africa: 0.837 · 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 51st of 176 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.610.981.61No real change since 2015
South Africa: 0.98 · 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.
Women's Political Empowerment IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.7720.830.772▼ Worsened since 2015
South Africa: 0.83 · 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 59th of 176 · derived.
Equal Protection IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6510.740.651▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 0.74 · 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 61st of 176 · derived.
Government Internet ShutdownsV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.0231.3511.023▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 1.351 · 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 69th of 176 · derived.
Physical Violence IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.790.8490.79No real change since 2015
South Africa: 0.849 · 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 72nd of 176 · derived.
Political PolarizationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.359-0.1260.359▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: -0.126 · 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 100th of 172 · derived, 1st = worst.
Social Institutions and Gender IndexOECD · 2023 · world median 25.22325.2No earlier reading
South Africa: 23 · 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 76th of 140 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median1
Statistics on which South Africa does worse than the middle country measured.
Exclusion by Socio-Economic GroupV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2023 · world median 0.4130.4350.413▲ Improved since 2013
South Africa: 0.435 · 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 81st of 174 · 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 0.1910.6590.191Moved since 2015
South Africa: 0.659 · 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 Africa’s 15 topics
Democracy & Civil Liberties is South Africa’s 5th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Gender & Equality40th of 1834/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade39th of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 54th of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology61st of 1984/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties65th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 72nd of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 77th of 1844/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 102nd of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation101st of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital116th of 1963/3 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 134th of 1824/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 148th of 2004/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience152nd of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality145th of 1593/3 keys
- Environment & Sustainability172nd 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 Africa 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 Africa
Cabo Verde37th4/4 keysHighest in Southern Africa
Botswana61st4/4 keysThis page
South Africa65th4/4 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 Africa and democracy & civil liberties
08Questions
South Africa 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 Africa rank on democracy & civil liberties?
South Africa is placed 65th 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 Africa?
0.041 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 Africa?
59.79 in 2025 (civic space score (0–100)), according to CIVICUS. The world median in the same edition was 50.46.
How does South Africa compare with Mozambique on democracy & civil liberties?
Mozambique is placed 162nd of 198, and South Africa 65th. Rule of Law: Mozambique -1.178, South Africa 0.041; Civic Space Ratings: Mozambique 27.28, South Africa 59.79; V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index: Mozambique 0.279, South Africa 0.743; Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index: Mozambique 28.76, South Africa 67.68.
How have South Africa’s democracy & civil liberties figures changed?
Rule of Law rose from -0.093 in 2000 to 0.041 in 2025; V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index was 0.743 in both 2000 and 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 Africa’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- South Africa (banner) — Damien du Toit, CC BY 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 Africa: Democracy & Civil Liberties — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/south-africa/democracy