What is distribution of democracy index in Afghanistan?

Distribution of democracy index in Afghanistan was 9 in 2018, according to Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest distribution of democracy index recorded in Afghanistan?

The highest recorded value was 10 in 1978.

What is the lowest distribution of democracy index recorded in Afghanistan?

The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1945.

How does Afghanistan rank for distribution of democracy index?

Afghanistan ranks 123rd out of 167 countries with data for 2018.

Where does this Afghanistan data come from?

The figures come from Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Distribution of Democracy Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Distribution of Democracy Index in Afghanistan

Name: Distribution of Democracy Index in Afghanistan
Creator: Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Afghanistan: Distribution of Democracy Index was 9 in 2018. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2018)

Change on year

unchanged

World rank

123rd

of 167 countries

All-time high

in 1978

All-time low

in 1945

Years of data

196

1800–2018

Distribution of Democracy Index in Afghanistan, 1800–2018

Source: Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

In 2018, distribution of democracy index in Afghanistan stood at 9.

That represents a change of unchanged over five years.

Over the whole period, distribution of democracy index in Afghanistan peaked at 10 in 1978 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1945.

Afghanistan ranks 123rd of 167 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

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	4	4	4	10
1810s	4	4	4	10
1820s	4	4	4	10
1830s	4	4	4	10
1840s	4	4	4	10
1850s	4	4	4	10
1860s	4	4	4	10
1870s	4	4	4	10
1880s	4	4	4	10
1890s	4	4	4	10
1900s	4	4	4	10
1910s	4	4	4	10
1920s	4	4	4	10
1930s	3	2	4	10
1940s	1	0	2	10
1950s	0	0	0	10
1960s	1.8	0	3	10
1970s	3.78	3	10	9
1980s	2	2	2	1
1990s	5.6	2	10	10
2000s	3	3	3	1
2010s	9	9	9	5

Countries ranked near Afghanistan

See the full ranking of 168 places →

More social development data for Afghanistan

Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 20,869 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 2.67 million (2025)
Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
Key features of democracy 0.069 (2025)
Freedom of Expression Index 0.022 (2025)
Freedom of Association Index 0.023 (2025)
Electoral Democracy Index 0.069 (2025)
Participatory Democracy Index 0.051 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.018 (2025)

All data for Afghanistan →

Frequently asked questions

What is distribution of democracy index in Afghanistan?: Distribution of democracy index in Afghanistan was 9 in 2018, according to Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest distribution of democracy index recorded in Afghanistan?: The highest recorded value was 10 in 1978.
What is the lowest distribution of democracy index recorded in Afghanistan?: The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1945.
How does Afghanistan rank for distribution of democracy index?: Afghanistan ranks 123rd out of 167 countries with data for 2018.
Where does this Afghanistan data come from?: The figures come from Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Distribution of Democracy Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 196 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

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).