Distribution of Democracy Index in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Distribution of Democracy Index was 18 in 2018. ▲ Rising
Latest (2018)
18
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
52nd
of 168 countries
All-time high
20
in 1922
All-time low
8
in 1800
Years of data
219
1800–2018
Distribution of Democracy Index in United Kingdom, 1800–2018
Source: Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
United Kingdom recorded 18 for distribution of democracy index in 2018.
The figure is down 10.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, distribution of democracy index in United Kingdom peaked at 20 in 1922 and was at its lowest, 8, in 1800.
That places United Kingdom 52nd out of 168 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 219 years of available data.
Distribution of Democracy Index in United Kingdom, 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 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1815 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1816 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1817 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1818 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1819 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1820 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1821 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1822 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1823 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1824 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1825 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1826 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1827 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1828 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1829 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1830 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1831 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1832 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1833 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1834 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1835 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1836 | 8 | +0.0% |
| 1837 | 13 | +62.5% |
| 1838 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1839 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1840 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1841 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1842 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1843 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1844 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1845 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1846 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1847 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1848 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1849 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1850 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1851 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1852 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1853 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1854 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1855 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1856 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1857 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1858 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1859 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1860 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1861 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1862 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1863 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1864 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1865 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1866 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1867 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1868 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1869 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1870 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1871 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1872 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1873 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1874 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1875 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1876 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1877 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1878 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1879 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 1880 | 17 | +30.8% |
| 1881 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1882 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1883 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1884 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1885 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1886 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1887 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1888 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1889 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1890 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1891 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1892 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1893 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1894 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1895 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1896 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1897 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1898 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1899 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1900 | 17 | +0.0% |
| 1901 | 18 | +5.9% |
| 1902 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1903 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1904 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1905 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1906 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1907 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1908 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1909 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1910 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1911 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1912 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1913 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1914 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1915 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1916 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1917 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1918 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1919 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1920 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1921 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 1922 | 20 | +11.1% |
| 1923 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1924 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1925 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1926 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1927 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1928 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1929 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1931 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1932 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1933 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1934 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1935 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1936 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1937 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1938 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1939 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1940 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1941 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1942 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1943 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1944 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1945 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1946 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1947 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1948 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1949 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1950 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1951 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1952 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1953 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1954 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1955 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1956 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1957 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1958 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1959 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1960 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1961 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1966 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1971 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1976 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1980 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1981 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1982 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 20 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 18 | -10.0% |
| 2017 | 18 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 18 | +0.0% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 18 is below the median for high income countries, which is 20, 90% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 18 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 19, 95% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1800s | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| 1810s | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| 1820s | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| 1830s | 9.5 | 8 | 13 | 10 |
| 1840s | 13 | 13 | 13 | 10 |
| 1850s | 13 | 13 | 13 | 10 |
| 1860s | 13 | 13 | 13 | 10 |
| 1870s | 13 | 13 | 13 | 10 |
| 1880s | 17 | 17 | 17 | 10 |
| 1890s | 17 | 17 | 17 | 10 |
| 1900s | 17.9 | 17 | 18 | 10 |
| 1910s | 18 | 18 | 18 | 10 |
| 1920s | 19.6 | 18 | 20 | 10 |
| 1930s | 20 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| 1940s | 20 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| 1950s | 20 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| 1960s | 20 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| 1970s | 20 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| 1980s | 20 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| 1990s | 20 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| 2000s | 20 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| 2010s | 19.33 | 18 | 20 | 9 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
- 52 Belgium 18 compare
- 52 Botswana 18 compare
- 52 Brazil 18 compare
- 52 East Timor 18 compare
- 52 El Salvador 18 compare
- 52 Ghana 18 compare
- 52 Guatemala 18 compare
- 52 Kyrgyzstan 18 compare
- 52 Latvia 18 compare
- 52 Lesotho 18 compare
- 52 Mexico 18 compare
- 52 Myanmar 18 compare
- 52 Philippines 18 compare
- 52 Serbia 18 compare
- 52 Solomon Islands 18 compare
- 52 South Korea 18 compare
- 52 United States 18 compare
More social development data for United Kingdom
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 581,072 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 517 (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 517 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0084 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 distribution of democracy index in United Kingdom?
- Distribution of democracy index in United Kingdom was 18 in 2018, according to Polity 5 (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest distribution of democracy index recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 20 in 1922.
- What is the lowest distribution of democracy index recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 8 in 1800.
- How does United Kingdom rank for distribution of democracy index?
- United Kingdom ranks 52nd out of 168 countries with data for 2018.
- Is distribution of democracy index rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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 — 219 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 0 to 20 (fully democratic).