Democracy Index in France
France: Democracy Index was 10 in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2018)
10
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
1st
of 168 countries
All-time high
10
in 1930
All-time low
-8
in 1800
Years of data
215
1800–2018
Democracy Index in France, 1800–2018
Source: Polity 5 (2020); Population based on various sources (2023) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for democracy index in France is 10, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 215 years on record.
The figure is unchanged over ten years.
Over the whole period, democracy index in France peaked at 10 in 1930 and was at its lowest, -8, in 1800.
France ranks 1st of 168 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Democracy Index in France, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1800 | -8 | — |
| 1801 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1802 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1803 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1804 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1805 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1806 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1807 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1808 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1809 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1810 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1811 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1812 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1813 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1814 | -4 | -50.0% |
| 1815 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1816 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1817 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1818 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1819 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1820 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1821 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1822 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1823 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1824 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1825 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1826 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1827 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1828 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1829 | -4 | -0.0% |
| 1830 | -1 | -75.0% |
| 1831 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1832 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1833 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1834 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1835 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1836 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1837 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1838 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1839 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1840 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1841 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1842 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1843 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1844 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1845 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1846 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1847 | -1 | -0.0% |
| 1848 | 6 | -700.0% |
| 1849 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 1850 | 6 | +0.0% |
| 1851 | -1 | -116.7% |
| 1852 | -8 | +700.0% |
| 1853 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1854 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1855 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1856 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1857 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1858 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1859 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1860 | -8 | -0.0% |
| 1861 | -7 | -12.5% |
| 1862 | -6 | -14.3% |
| 1863 | -6 | -0.0% |
| 1864 | -6 | -0.0% |
| 1865 | -6 | -0.0% |
| 1866 | -6 | -0.0% |
| 1867 | -6 | -0.0% |
| 1868 | -6 | -0.0% |
| 1869 | -3 | -50.0% |
| 1870 | -2 | -33.3% |
| 1871 | -1 | -50.0% |
| 1872 | 1 | -200.0% |
| 1873 | 2 | +100.0% |
| 1874 | 3 | +50.0% |
| 1875 | 5 | +66.7% |
| 1876 | 6 | +20.0% |
| 1877 | 7 | +16.7% |
| 1878 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1879 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1880 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1881 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1882 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1883 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1884 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1885 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1886 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1887 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1888 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1889 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1890 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1891 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1892 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1893 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1894 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1895 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1896 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1897 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1898 | 8 | +14.3% |
| 1899 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1900 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1901 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1902 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1903 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1904 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1905 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1906 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1907 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1908 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1909 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1910 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1911 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1912 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1913 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1914 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1915 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1916 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1917 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1918 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1919 | 9 | +12.5% |
| 1920 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1921 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1922 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1923 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1924 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1925 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1926 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1927 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1928 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1929 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 10 | +11.1% |
| 1931 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1932 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1933 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1934 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1935 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1936 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1937 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1938 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1939 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1944 | 9 | -10.0% |
| 1945 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1946 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1947 | 8 | -11.1% |
| 1948 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1949 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1950 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1951 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1952 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1953 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1954 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1955 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1956 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1957 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1958 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 1959 | 4 | — |
| 1960 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1961 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 7 | +75.0% |
| 1966 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 7 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 9 | +28.6% |
| 1970 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1971 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1976 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1980 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1981 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1982 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 10 | +11.1% |
| 1987 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 10 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 10 | +0.0% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 10 is above the median for high income countries, which is 10, 1.0× the median. (50 countries reporting)
- France's 10 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 9, 1.1× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1800s | -8 | -8 | -8 | 10 |
| 1810s | -5.6 | -8 | -4 | 10 |
| 1820s | -4 | -4 | -4 | 10 |
| 1830s | -1 | -1 | -1 | 10 |
| 1840s | 0.4 | -1 | 6 | 10 |
| 1850s | -5.9 | -8 | 6 | 10 |
| 1860s | -6 | -8 | -3 | 10 |
| 1870s | 3.5 | -2 | 7 | 10 |
| 1880s | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 |
| 1890s | 7.2 | 7 | 8 | 10 |
| 1900s | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| 1910s | 8.1 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 1920s | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| 1930s | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 1940s | 8.5 | 8 | 9 | 6 |
| 1950s | 6.8 | 0 | 8 | 10 |
| 1960s | 5.7 | 4 | 9 | 10 |
| 1970s | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| 1980s | 9.4 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| 1990s | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 2000s | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 2010s | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
Countries ranked near France
- 1 Australia 10 compare
- 1 Austria 10 compare
- 1 Canada 10 compare
- 1 Cape Verde 10 compare
- 1 Chile 10 compare
- 1 Costa Rica 10 compare
- 1 Cyprus 10 compare
- 1 Denmark 10 compare
- 1 Finland 10 compare
- 1 Germany 10 compare
- 1 Greece 10 compare
- 1 Hungary 10 compare
- 1 Ireland 10 compare
- 1 Italy 10 compare
- 1 Japan 10 compare
- 1 Lithuania 10 compare
- 1 Luxembourg 10 compare
- 1 Mauritius 10 compare
- 1 Mongolia 10 compare
- 1 Netherlands 10 compare
- 1 New Zealand 10 compare
- 1 Norway 10 compare
- 1 Poland 10 compare
- 1 Portugal 10 compare
- 1 Slovakia 10 compare
- 1 Slovenia 10 compare
- 1 Spain 10 compare
- 1 Sweden 10 compare
- 1 Switzerland 10 compare
- 1 Taiwan 10 compare
- 1 Uruguay 10 compare
More social development data for France
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 788,419 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 166 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 166 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0115 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is democracy index in France?
- Democracy index in France was 10 in 2018, according to Polity 5 (2020); Population based on various sources (2023) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest democracy index recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 10 in 1930.
- What is the lowest democracy index recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was -8 in 1800.
- How does France rank for democracy index?
- France ranks 1st out of 168 countries with data for 2018.
- Is democracy index rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from Polity 5 (2020); Population based on various sources (2023) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Democracy Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 215 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
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 -10 to 10 (fully democratic).