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

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

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

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 States: Distribution of Democracy Index

Botswana

in 2018

United States

in 2018

Botswana rank

52nd

United States rank

52nd

Distribution of Democracy Index over time

Botswana
United States

How they compare

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

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

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

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

Head to head by decade

Decade	Botswana	United States	Difference	Ahead
1960s	16	18.25	2.25	United States
1970s	16	19.2	3.2	United States
1980s	16.3	20	3.7	United States
1990s	17.3	20	2.7	United States
2000s	18	20	2	United States
2010s	18	19.33	1.33	United States

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher distribution of democracy index, Botswana or United States?: Botswana, at 18 against 18 in United States as of 2018.
What is the difference in distribution of democracy index between Botswana and United States?: 0, with Botswana ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Botswana and United States?: 53 years are reported by both, from 1966 to 2018.
How do Botswana and United States rank globally for distribution of democracy index?: Botswana ranks 52nd and United States 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).