Statizoid

Liberal democracy in United States

United States: Liberal democracy was 2 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
2
Change on year
down 33.3%
World rank
32nd
of 176 countries
All-time high
3
in 1969
All-time low
0
in 1789
Years of data
237
1789–2025

Liberal democracy in United States, 1789–2025

0123178919072025

Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for liberal democracy in United States is 2, measured in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 33.3% on the previous year and down 33.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, liberal democracy in United States peaked at 3 in 1969 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1789.

United States ranks 32nd of 176 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1780s 0 0 0 1
1790s 0.4 0 1 10
1800s 1 1 1 10
1810s 1 1 1 10
1820s 1 1 1 10
1830s 1 1 1 10
1840s 1 1 1 10
1850s 1 1 1 10
1860s 1 1 1 10
1870s 1 1 1 10
1880s 1 1 1 10
1890s 1 1 1 10
1900s 1 1 1 10
1910s 1 1 1 10
1920s 2 2 2 10
1930s 2 2 2 10
1940s 2 2 2 10
1950s 2 2 2 10
1960s 2.1 2 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 2.83 2 3 6

Countries ranked near United States

  1. 32 Argentina 2 compare
  2. 32 Armenia 2 compare
  3. 32 Bhutan 2 compare
  4. 32 Bolivia 2 compare
  5. 32 Botswana 2 compare
  6. 32 Brazil 2 compare
  7. 32 Bulgaria 2 compare
  8. 32 Canada 2 compare
  9. 32 Cape Verde 2 compare
  10. 32 Colombia 2 compare
  11. 32 Croatia 2 compare
  12. 32 Dominican Republic 2 compare
  13. 32 East Timor 2 compare
  14. 32 Ecuador 2 compare
  15. 32 Fiji 2 compare
  16. 32 Gambia 2 compare
  17. 32 Ghana 2 compare
  18. 32 Greece 2 compare
  19. 32 Guatemala 2 compare
  20. 32 Guyana 2 compare
  21. 32 Honduras 2 compare
  22. 32 Israel 2 compare
  23. 32 Jamaica 2 compare
  24. 32 Kenya 2 compare
  25. 32 Lesotho 2 compare
  26. 32 Liberia 2 compare
  27. 32 Malawi 2 compare
  28. 32 Malaysia 2 compare
  29. 32 Maldives 2 compare
  30. 32 Mauritius 2 compare
  31. 32 Moldova 2 compare
  32. 32 Mongolia 2 compare
  33. 32 Montenegro 2 compare
  34. 32 Namibia 2 compare
  35. 32 Nepal 2 compare
  36. 32 Nigeria 2 compare
  37. 32 North Macedonia 2 compare
  38. 32 Panama 2 compare
  39. 32 Paraguay 2 compare
  40. 32 Peru 2 compare
  41. 32 Poland 2 compare
  42. 32 Portugal 2 compare
  43. 32 Romania 2 compare
  44. 32 Sao Tome and Principe 2 compare
  45. 32 Senegal 2 compare
  46. 32 Slovakia 2 compare
  47. 32 Slovenia 2 compare
  48. 32 Solomon Islands 2 compare
  49. 32 South Africa 2 compare
  50. 32 Sri Lanka 2 compare
  51. 32 Suriname 2 compare
  52. 32 United Kingdom 2 compare
  53. 32 Vanuatu 2 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for United States

All data for United States →

Frequently asked questions

What is liberal democracy in United States?
Liberal democracy in United States was 2 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest liberal democracy recorded in United States?
The highest recorded value was 3 in 1969.
What is the lowest liberal democracy recorded in United States?
The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1789.
How does United States rank for liberal democracy?
United States ranks 32nd out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is liberal democracy rising or falling in United States?
Over the last ten years it is down 33.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this United States 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

Indicator
Liberal democracy
Source
V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
176 places, 29,594 data points, 1789–2025
Last refreshed

Identifies the political regime of a country by distinguishing between closed autocracies, electoral autocracies, electoral democracies, and liberal democracies.