What is democracy index in USSR?

Democracy index in USSR was 0 in 1991, 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 USSR?

The highest recorded value was 0 in 1990.

What is the lowest democracy index recorded in USSR?

The lowest recorded value was -9 in 1933.

How does USSR rank for democracy index?

USSR ranks 1st out of 1 groups with data for 1991.

Is democracy index rising or falling in USSR?

Over the last ten years it is up 100.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this USSR 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.

Democracy Index in USSR

Name: Democracy Index in USSR
Creator: Polity 5 (2020); Population based on various sources (2023) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

USSR: Democracy Index was 0 in 1991. ▲ Rising

Latest (1991)

Rank

1st

of 1 groups

All-time high

in 1990

All-time low

-9

in 1933

Years of data

1922–1991

Democracy Index in USSR, 1922–1991

Source: Polity 5 (2020); Population based on various sources (2023) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

In 1991, democracy index in USSR stood at 0. That is the highest value across all 70 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 100.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, democracy index in USSR peaked at 0 in 1990 and was at its lowest, -9, in 1933.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 70 years of available data.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1920s	-7.38	-8	-7	8
1930s	-8.7	-9	-8	10
1940s	-9	-9	-9	10
1950s	-7.6	-9	-7	10
1960s	-7	-7	-7	10
1970s	-7	-7	-7	10
1980s	-6.6	-7	-4	10
1990s	0	0	0	2

Countries ranked near USSR

See the full ranking of 168 places →

More social development data for USSR

Electoral democracy 0 (1990)
Political Rights Rating 5 (1990)
Full democracy 0 (1990)
Distribution of Democracy Index 10 (1991)
Terrorist attacks by severity 0 attacks (1991)

All data for USSR →

Frequently asked questions

What is democracy index in USSR?: Democracy index in USSR was 0 in 1991, 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 USSR?: The highest recorded value was 0 in 1990.
What is the lowest democracy index recorded in USSR?: The lowest recorded value was -9 in 1933.
How does USSR rank for democracy index?: USSR ranks 1st out of 1 groups with data for 1991.
Is democracy index rising or falling in USSR?: Over the last ten years it is up 100.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this USSR 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 — 70 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Democracy Index
Source: Polity 5 (2020); Population based on various sources (2023) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 168 places, 18,392 data points, 1776–2020
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 -10 to 10 (fully democratic).