Liberal democracy in Switzerland
Switzerland: 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 1849
All-time low
0
in 1798
Years of data
228
1798–2025
Liberal democracy in Switzerland, 1798–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Switzerland recorded 3 for liberal democracy in 2025. That is the highest value across all 228 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is unchanged over ten years.
Over the whole period, liberal democracy in Switzerland peaked at 3 in 1849 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1798.
Switzerland ranks 1st of 176 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Liberal democracy in Switzerland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1 | — |
| 1849 | 3 | +200.0% |
| 1850 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1851 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1852 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1853 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1854 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1855 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1856 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1857 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1858 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 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 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1917 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 1918 | 3 | +0.0% |
| 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% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 3 is above the median for high income countries, which is 3, 1.0× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 3 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 2, 1.5× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1790s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 1800s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1810s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1820s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1830s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1840s | 0.4 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| 1850s | 3 | 3 | 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 | 3 | 3 | 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 Switzerland
- 1 Australia 3 compare
- 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 Taiwan 3 compare
- 1 Trinidad and Tobago 3 compare
- 1 Uruguay 3 compare
More social development data for Switzerland
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 208,287 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 6 (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 6 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0229 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 Switzerland?
- Liberal democracy in Switzerland was 3 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest liberal democracy recorded in Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 3 in 1849.
- What is the lowest liberal democracy recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1798.
- How does Switzerland rank for liberal democracy?
- Switzerland ranks 1st out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is liberal democracy rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Switzerland 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 — 228 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.