Democracy Index in Turkey
Turkey: Democracy Index was -4 in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Democracy Index in Turkey, 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 Turkey is -4, measured in 2018.
The figure is down 157.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, democracy index in Turkey peaked at 9 in 1961 and was at its lowest, -10, in 1800.
Turkey ranks 138th of 167 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1800s | -10 | -10 | -10 | 10 |
| 1810s | -10 | -10 | -10 | 10 |
| 1820s | -10 | -10 | -10 | 10 |
| 1830s | -10 | -10 | -10 | 10 |
| 1840s | -10 | -10 | -10 | 10 |
| 1850s | -10 | -10 | -10 | 10 |
| 1860s | -10 | -10 | -10 | 10 |
| 1870s | -9.4 | -10 | -4 | 10 |
| 1880s | -10 | -10 | -10 | 10 |
| 1890s | -10 | -10 | -10 | 10 |
| 1900s | -8.5 | -10 | -1 | 10 |
| 1910s | -1 | -1 | -1 | 8 |
| 1920s | -5.25 | -6 | 0 | 8 |
| 1930s | -6.6 | -7 | -6 | 10 |
| 1940s | -1.4 | -7 | 7 | 10 |
| 1950s | 5.2 | 4 | 7 | 10 |
| 1960s | 8.3 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
| 1970s | 6.7 | -2 | 9 | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.6 | -5 | 9 | 10 |
| 1990s | 8 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
| 2000s | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.11 | -4 | 9 | 9 |
Countries ranked near Turkey
More social development data for Turkey
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 2.39 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 149,405 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 5 (2025)
- Key features of liberal democracy 0.11 (2025)
- Varieties of democracy 0.293 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.179 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.565 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.293 (2025)
- Liberal democracy 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is democracy index in Turkey?
- Democracy index in Turkey was -4 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 Turkey?
- The highest recorded value was 9 in 1961.
- What is the lowest democracy index recorded in Turkey?
- The lowest recorded value was -10 in 1800.
- How does Turkey rank for democracy index?
- Turkey ranks 138th out of 167 countries with data for 2018.
- Is democracy index rising or falling in Turkey?
- Over the last ten years it is down 157.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Turkey 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).