Key features of liberal democracy in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Key features of liberal democracy was 0.018 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
0.018
Change on year
up 28.6%
World rank
173rd
of 176 countries
All-time high
0.201
in 2015
All-time low
0.011
in 2022
Years of data
237
1789–2025
Key features of liberal democracy in Afghanistan, 1789–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for key features of liberal democracy in Afghanistan is 0.018, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 28.6% on the previous year and down 91.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key features of liberal democracy in Afghanistan peaked at 0.201 in 2015 and was at its lowest, 0.011, in 2022.
Afghanistan ranks 173rd of 176 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Key features of liberal democracy in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1789 | 0.029 | — |
| 1790 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1791 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1792 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1793 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1794 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1795 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1796 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1797 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1798 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1799 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1800 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1801 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1802 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1803 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1804 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1805 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1806 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1807 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1808 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1809 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1810 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1811 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1812 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1813 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1814 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1815 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1816 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1817 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1818 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1819 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1820 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1821 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1822 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1823 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1824 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1825 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1826 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1827 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1828 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1829 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1830 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1831 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1832 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1833 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1834 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1835 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1836 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1837 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1838 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1839 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1840 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1841 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1842 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1843 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1844 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1845 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1846 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1847 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1848 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1849 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1850 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1851 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1852 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1853 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1854 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1855 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1856 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1857 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1858 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1859 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1860 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1861 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1862 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1863 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1864 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1865 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1866 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1867 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1868 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1869 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1870 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1871 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1872 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1873 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1874 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1875 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1876 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1877 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1878 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1879 | 0.029 | +0.0% |
| 1880 | 0.027 | -6.9% |
| 1881 | 0.027 | +0.0% |
| 1882 | 0.027 | +0.0% |
| 1883 | 0.027 | +0.0% |
| 1884 | 0.027 | +0.0% |
| 1885 | 0.027 | +0.0% |
| 1886 | 0.027 | +0.0% |
| 1887 | 0.027 | +0.0% |
| 1888 | 0.027 | +0.0% |
| 1889 | 0.027 | +0.0% |
| 1890 | 0.027 | +0.0% |
| 1891 | 0.026 | -3.7% |
| 1892 | 0.026 | +0.0% |
| 1893 | 0.026 | +0.0% |
| 1894 | 0.026 | +0.0% |
| 1895 | 0.026 | +0.0% |
| 1896 | 0.026 | +0.0% |
| 1897 | 0.026 | +0.0% |
| 1898 | 0.026 | +0.0% |
| 1899 | 0.026 | +0.0% |
| 1900 | 0.026 | +0.0% |
| 1901 | 0.026 | +0.0% |
| 1902 | 0.032 | +23.1% |
| 1903 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1904 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1905 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1906 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1907 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1908 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1909 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1910 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1911 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1912 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1913 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1914 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1915 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1916 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1917 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1918 | 0.032 | +0.0% |
| 1919 | 0.036 | +12.5% |
| 1920 | 0.045 | +25.0% |
| 1921 | 0.045 | +0.0% |
| 1922 | 0.044 | -2.2% |
| 1923 | 0.062 | +40.9% |
| 1924 | 0.071 | +14.5% |
| 1925 | 0.071 | +0.0% |
| 1926 | 0.071 | +0.0% |
| 1927 | 0.07 | -1.4% |
| 1928 | 0.07 | +0.0% |
| 1929 | 0.069 | -1.4% |
| 1930 | 0.065 | -5.8% |
| 1931 | 0.066 | +1.5% |
| 1932 | 0.062 | -6.1% |
| 1933 | 0.065 | +4.8% |
| 1934 | 0.067 | +3.1% |
| 1935 | 0.067 | +0.0% |
| 1936 | 0.067 | +0.0% |
| 1937 | 0.067 | +0.0% |
| 1938 | 0.067 | +0.0% |
| 1939 | 0.067 | +0.0% |
| 1940 | 0.067 | +0.0% |
| 1941 | 0.067 | +0.0% |
| 1942 | 0.067 | +0.0% |
| 1943 | 0.066 | -1.5% |
| 1944 | 0.066 | +0.0% |
| 1945 | 0.066 | +0.0% |
| 1946 | 0.067 | +1.5% |
| 1947 | 0.067 | +0.0% |
| 1948 | 0.067 | +0.0% |
| 1949 | 0.068 | +1.5% |
| 1950 | 0.069 | +1.5% |
| 1951 | 0.069 | +0.0% |
| 1952 | 0.067 | -2.9% |
| 1953 | 0.067 | +0.0% |
| 1954 | 0.066 | -1.5% |
| 1955 | 0.066 | +0.0% |
| 1956 | 0.066 | +0.0% |
| 1957 | 0.066 | +0.0% |
| 1958 | 0.066 | +0.0% |
| 1959 | 0.066 | +0.0% |
| 1960 | 0.066 | +0.0% |
| 1961 | 0.066 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 0.066 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 0.071 | +7.6% |
| 1964 | 0.092 | +29.6% |
| 1965 | 0.095 | +3.3% |
| 1966 | 0.097 | +2.1% |
| 1967 | 0.097 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 0.097 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 0.097 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 0.096 | -1.0% |
| 1971 | 0.096 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 0.095 | -1.0% |
| 1973 | 0.081 | -14.7% |
| 1974 | 0.051 | -37.0% |
| 1975 | 0.051 | +0.0% |
| 1976 | 0.051 | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 0.051 | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 0.05 | -2.0% |
| 1979 | 0.046 | -8.0% |
| 1980 | 0.042 | -8.7% |
| 1981 | 0.044 | +4.8% |
| 1982 | 0.045 | +2.3% |
| 1983 | 0.045 | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 0.045 | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 0.045 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 0.045 | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 0.045 | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 0.047 | +4.4% |
| 1989 | 0.047 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 0.045 | -4.3% |
| 1991 | 0.041 | -8.9% |
| 1992 | 0.033 | -19.5% |
| 1993 | 0.023 | -30.3% |
| 1994 | 0.023 | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 0.022 | -4.3% |
| 1996 | 0.019 | -13.6% |
| 1997 | 0.022 | +15.8% |
| 1998 | 0.022 | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 0.022 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 0.022 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 0.028 | +27.3% |
| 2002 | 0.085 | +203.6% |
| 2003 | 0.085 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 0.089 | +4.7% |
| 2005 | 0.111 | +24.7% |
| 2006 | 0.192 | +73.0% |
| 2007 | 0.193 | +0.5% |
| 2008 | 0.196 | +1.6% |
| 2009 | 0.196 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 0.192 | -2.0% |
| 2011 | 0.192 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 0.194 | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 0.194 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 0.199 | +2.6% |
| 2015 | 0.201 | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 0.188 | -6.5% |
| 2017 | 0.183 | -2.7% |
| 2018 | 0.176 | -3.8% |
| 2019 | 0.162 | -8.0% |
| 2020 | 0.167 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | 0.041 | -75.4% |
| 2022 | 0.011 | -73.2% |
| 2023 | 0.015 | +36.4% |
| 2024 | 0.014 | -6.7% |
| 2025 | 0.018 | +28.6% |
Afghanistan compared with similar countries
- Afghanistan's 0.018 is below the median for low income countries, which is 0.102, 18% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Afghanistan's 0.018 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 0.118, 15% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1780s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 1 |
| 1790s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1800s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1810s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1820s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1830s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1840s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1850s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1860s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1870s | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1880s | 0.027 | 0.027 | 0.027 | 10 |
| 1890s | 0.0261 | 0.026 | 0.027 | 10 |
| 1900s | 0.0308 | 0.026 | 0.032 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.0324 | 0.032 | 0.036 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.0618 | 0.044 | 0.071 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.066 | 0.062 | 0.067 | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.0668 | 0.066 | 0.068 | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.0668 | 0.066 | 0.069 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.0844 | 0.066 | 0.097 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.0668 | 0.046 | 0.096 | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.045 | 0.042 | 0.047 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.0272 | 0.019 | 0.045 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.1197 | 0.022 | 0.196 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.1881 | 0.162 | 0.201 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.0443 | 0.011 | 0.167 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More social development data for Afghanistan
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 20,869 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2.67 million (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 7 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 7 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0609 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 2.67 million (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0005 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key features of liberal democracy in Afghanistan?
- Key features of liberal democracy in Afghanistan was 0.018 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key features of liberal democracy recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 0.201 in 2015.
- What is the lowest key features of liberal democracy recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.011 in 2022.
- How does Afghanistan rank for key features of liberal democracy?
- Afghanistan ranks 173rd out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key features of liberal democracy rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 91.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Key features of liberal democracy. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 237 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Central estimate of the extent of suffrage, the freedom and fairness of elections, freedoms of association and expression, individual and minority rights, equality before the law, and executive constraints.