Liberal democracy in Australia
Australia: Liberal democracy was 3 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
3
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
1st
of 176 countries
All-time high
3
in 1858
All-time low
0
in 1789
Years of data
237
1789–2025
Liberal democracy in Australia, 1789–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, liberal democracy in Australia stood at 3. That is the highest value across all 237 years on record.
The figure is unchanged over ten years.
Over the whole period, liberal democracy in Australia peaked at 3 in 1858 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1789.
That places Australia 1st out of 176 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Liberal democracy in Australia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1789 | 0 | — |
| 1790 | 0 | — |
| 1791 | 0 | — |
| 1792 | 0 | — |
| 1793 | 0 | — |
| 1794 | 0 | — |
| 1795 | 0 | — |
| 1796 | 0 | — |
| 1797 | 0 | — |
| 1798 | 0 | — |
| 1799 | 0 | — |
| 1800 | 0 | — |
| 1801 | 0 | — |
| 1802 | 0 | — |
| 1803 | 0 | — |
| 1804 | 0 | — |
| 1805 | 0 | — |
| 1806 | 0 | — |
| 1807 | 0 | — |
| 1808 | 0 | — |
| 1809 | 0 | — |
| 1810 | 0 | — |
| 1811 | 0 | — |
| 1812 | 0 | — |
| 1813 | 0 | — |
| 1814 | 0 | — |
| 1815 | 0 | — |
| 1816 | 0 | — |
| 1817 | 0 | — |
| 1818 | 0 | — |
| 1819 | 0 | — |
| 1820 | 0 | — |
| 1821 | 0 | — |
| 1822 | 0 | — |
| 1823 | 0 | — |
| 1824 | 0 | — |
| 1825 | 0 | — |
| 1826 | 0 | — |
| 1827 | 0 | — |
| 1828 | 0 | — |
| 1829 | 0 | — |
| 1830 | 0 | — |
| 1831 | 0 | — |
| 1832 | 0 | — |
| 1833 | 0 | — |
| 1834 | 0 | — |
| 1835 | 0 | — |
| 1836 | 0 | — |
| 1837 | 0 | — |
| 1838 | 0 | — |
| 1839 | 0 | — |
| 1840 | 0 | — |
| 1841 | 0 | — |
| 1842 | 0 | — |
| 1843 | 0 | — |
| 1844 | 0 | — |
| 1845 | 0 | — |
| 1846 | 0 | — |
| 1847 | 0 | — |
| 1848 | 0 | — |
| 1849 | 0 | — |
| 1850 | 0 | — |
| 1851 | 0 | — |
| 1852 | 0 | — |
| 1853 | 0 | — |
| 1854 | 0 | — |
| 1855 | 0 | — |
| 1856 | 1 | — |
| 1857 | 1 | +0.0% |
| 1858 | 3 | +200.0% |
| 1859 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1860 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1861 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1862 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1863 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1864 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1865 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1866 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1867 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1868 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1869 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1870 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1871 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1872 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1873 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1874 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1875 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1876 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1877 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1878 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1879 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1880 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1881 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1882 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1883 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1884 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1885 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1886 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1887 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1888 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1889 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1890 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1891 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1892 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1893 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1894 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1895 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1896 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1897 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1898 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1899 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1900 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1901 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1902 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1903 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1904 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1905 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1906 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1907 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1908 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1909 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1910 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1911 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1912 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1913 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1914 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1915 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1916 | 2 | -33.3% |
| 1917 | 2 | +0.0% |
| 1918 | 3 | +50.0% |
| 1919 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1920 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1921 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1922 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1923 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1924 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1925 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1926 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1927 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1928 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1929 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1931 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1932 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1933 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1934 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1935 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1936 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1937 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1938 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1939 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1940 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1941 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1942 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1943 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1944 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1945 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1946 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1947 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1948 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1949 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1950 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1951 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1952 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1953 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1954 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1955 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1956 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1957 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1958 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1959 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1960 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1961 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1966 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1971 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1976 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1980 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1981 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1982 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 3 | +0.0% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 3 is above the median for high income countries, which is 3, 1.0× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- Australia's 3 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 1, 3.0× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1780s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1790s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1800s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1810s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1820s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1830s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1840s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1850s | 0.8 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| 1860s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1870s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1880s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1890s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1900s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1910s | 2.8 | 2 | 3 | 10 |
| 1920s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1930s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1940s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1950s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1960s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1970s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1980s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 1990s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 2000s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 2010s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 2020s | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Australia
- 1 Austria 3 compare
- 1 Barbados 3 compare
- 1 Belgium 3 compare
- 1 Chile 3 compare
- 1 Costa Rica 3 compare
- 1 Cyprus 3 compare
- 1 Czechia 3 compare
- 1 Denmark 3 compare
- 1 Estonia 3 compare
- 1 Finland 3 compare
- 1 France 3 compare
- 1 Germany 3 compare
- 1 Iceland 3 compare
- 1 Ireland 3 compare
- 1 Italy 3 compare
- 1 Japan 3 compare
- 1 Latvia 3 compare
- 1 Lithuania 3 compare
- 1 Luxembourg 3 compare
- 1 Netherlands 3 compare
- 1 New Zealand 3 compare
- 1 Norway 3 compare
- 1 Seychelles 3 compare
- 1 South Korea 3 compare
- 1 Spain 3 compare
- 1 Sweden 3 compare
- 1 Switzerland 3 compare
- 1 Taiwan 3 compare
- 1 Trinidad and Tobago 3 compare
- 1 Uruguay 3 compare
More social development data for Australia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 33,415 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 41 (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 41 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0012 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 liberal democracy in Australia?
- Liberal democracy in Australia was 3 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest liberal democracy recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 3 in 1858.
- What is the lowest liberal democracy recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1789.
- How does Australia rank for liberal democracy?
- Australia ranks 1st out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is liberal democracy rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part 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
Identifies the political regime of a country by distinguishing between closed autocracies, electoral autocracies, electoral democracies, and liberal democracies.