Which has higher distribution of democracy index, Botswana or United Kingdom?

Botswana, at 18 against 18 in United Kingdom as of 2018.

How many years of comparable data are there for Botswana and United Kingdom?

53 years are reported by both, from 1966 to 2018.

Where does this data come from?

Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Distribution of Democracy Index. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

Botswana vs United Kingdom: Distribution of Democracy Index

Botswana

in 2018

United Kingdom

in 2018

Botswana rank

52nd

United Kingdom rank

52nd

Distribution of Democracy Index over time

Botswana
United Kingdom

How they compare

Botswana currently reports 18 against 18 in United Kingdom, a difference of 0.

Across all 53 years both countries report, United Kingdom has been ahead every year.

Botswana ranks 52nd and United Kingdom ranks 52nd of 167 countries.

United Kingdom has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade	Botswana	United Kingdom	Difference	Ahead
1960s	16	20	4	United Kingdom
1970s	16	20	4	United Kingdom
1980s	16.3	20	3.7	United Kingdom
1990s	17.3	20	2.7	United Kingdom
2000s	18	20	2	United Kingdom
2010s	18	19.33	1.33	United Kingdom

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher distribution of democracy index, Botswana or United Kingdom?: Botswana, at 18 against 18 in United Kingdom as of 2018.
What is the difference in distribution of democracy index between Botswana and United Kingdom?: 0, with Botswana ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Botswana and United Kingdom?: 53 years are reported by both, from 1966 to 2018.
How do Botswana and United Kingdom rank globally for distribution of democracy index?: Botswana ranks 52nd and United Kingdom ranks 52nd of 167 countries.
Where does this data come from?: Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Distribution of Democracy Index. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

Individual pages

About this data

Indicator: Distribution of Democracy Index
Source: Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 168 places, 18,366 data points, 1800–2018
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

It combines information on the extent to which open, multi-party, and competitive elections choose a chief executive who faces comprehensive institutional constraints, and political participation is competitive. It ranges from 0 to 20 (fully democratic).