Participatory Democracy Index in Botswana

Botswana: Participatory Democracy Index was 0.369 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
0.369
Change on year
up 11.5%
World rank
67th
of 176 countries
All-time high
0.478
in 2005
All-time low
0.017
in 1900
Years of data
126
1900–2025

Participatory Democracy Index in Botswana, 1900–2025

00.10.20.30.40.5190019622025

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for participatory democracy index in Botswana is 0.369, measured in 2025.

The figure is up 11.5% on the previous year and down 15.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, participatory democracy index in Botswana peaked at 0.478 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 0.017, in 1900.

That places Botswana 67th out of 176 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.

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

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1900s 0.017 0.017 0.017 10
1910s 0.017 0.017 0.017 10
1920s 0.017 0.017 0.017 10
1930s 0.017 0.017 0.017 10
1940s 0.0177 0.017 0.02 10
1950s 0.0204 0.02 0.022 10
1960s 0.1532 0.024 0.352 10
1970s 0.3671 0.366 0.369 10
1980s 0.4025 0.368 0.435 10
1990s 0.4487 0.438 0.467 10
2000s 0.4705 0.466 0.478 10
2010s 0.4383 0.391 0.462 10
2020s 0.357 0.317 0.393 6

Countries ranked near Botswana

  1. 64 Bulgaria 0.397 compare
  2. 65 Sao Tome and Principe 0.391 compare
  3. 66 Moldova 0.389 compare
  4. 68 Malawi 0.366 compare
  5. 69 Ghana 0.361 compare
  6. 70 North Macedonia 0.354 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Botswana

All data for Botswana →

Frequently asked questions

What is participatory democracy index in Botswana?
Participatory democracy index in Botswana was 0.369 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest participatory democracy index recorded in Botswana?
The highest recorded value was 0.478 in 2005.
What is the lowest participatory democracy index recorded in Botswana?
The lowest recorded value was 0.017 in 1900.
How does Botswana rank for participatory democracy index?
Botswana ranks 67th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is participatory democracy index rising or falling in Botswana?
Over the last ten years it is down 15.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Botswana data come from?
The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Participatory Democracy Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 126 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator
Participatory Democracy Index
Source
V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
176 places, 29,363 data points, 1789–2025
Last refreshed

Central estimate of the extent of suffrage, the freedom and fairness of elections, freedoms of association and expression, as well as the extent to which citizens can engage in regional and local government, civil society organizations, and direct democracy.