Varieties democracy vdem, annual growth rate in United States
United States: Varieties democracy vdem, annual growth rate was -12.81 % change on previous year in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
-12.81 % change on previous year
Change on year
down 684.2%
World rank
168th
of 176 countries
All-time high
22.89 % change on previous year
in 1920
All-time low
-12.81 % change on previous year
in 2025
Years of data
236
1790–2025
Varieties democracy vdem, annual growth rate in United States, 1790–2025
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in % change on previous year.
Analysis
In 2025, varieties democracy vdem, annual growth rate in United States stood at -12.81 % change on previous year. That is the lowest value across all 236 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 684.2% on the previous year and down 11,443.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, varieties democracy vdem, annual growth rate in United States peaked at 22.89 % change on previous year in 1920 and was at its lowest, -12.81 % change on previous year, in 2025.
That places United States 168th out of 176 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Varieties democracy vdem, annual growth rate in United States, year by year
| Year | % change on previous year | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 0.289 % change on previous year | — |
| 1791 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1792 | 1.15 % change on previous year | — |
| 1793 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1794 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 1795 | 0.2849 % change on previous year | — |
| 1796 | 0.2841 % change on previous year | -0.3% |
| 1797 | 0.5666 % change on previous year | +99.4% |
| 1798 | -2.25 % change on previous year | -497.7% |
| 1799 | -0.8646 % change on previous year | -61.6% |
| 1800 | -0.2907 % change on previous year | -66.4% |
| 1801 | 3.79 % change on previous year | -1403.8% |
| 1802 | 1.4 % change on previous year | -62.9% |
| 1803 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1804 | -1.94 % change on previous year | — |
| 1805 | -0.8475 % change on previous year | -56.3% |
| 1806 | 0.2849 % change on previous year | -133.6% |
| 1807 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1808 | 0.2841 % change on previous year | — |
| 1809 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1810 | -0.2833 % change on previous year | — |
| 1811 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1812 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 1813 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 1814 | 1.14 % change on previous year | — |
| 1815 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1816 | -0.2809 % change on previous year | — |
| 1817 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1818 | 0.5634 % change on previous year | — |
| 1819 | 0.2801 % change on previous year | -50.3% |
| 1820 | -1.68 % change on previous year | -698.3% |
| 1821 | -1.7 % change on previous year | +1.7% |
| 1822 | -0.289 % change on previous year | -83.0% |
| 1823 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1824 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 1825 | 0.2899 % change on previous year | — |
| 1826 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1827 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 1828 | 2.02 % change on previous year | — |
| 1829 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1830 | 1.42 % change on previous year | — |
| 1831 | 1.4 % change on previous year | -1.4% |
| 1832 | -0.2755 % change on previous year | -119.7% |
| 1833 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1834 | 1.38 % change on previous year | — |
| 1835 | 0.2725 % change on previous year | -80.3% |
| 1836 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1837 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 1838 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 1839 | 0.2717 % change on previous year | — |
| 1840 | -3.79 % change on previous year | -1496.2% |
| 1841 | -3.66 % change on previous year | -3.5% |
| 1842 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1843 | 0.2924 % change on previous year | — |
| 1844 | -0.2915 % change on previous year | -199.7% |
| 1845 | -0.2924 % change on previous year | +0.3% |
| 1846 | -1.17 % change on previous year | +301.2% |
| 1847 | -1.78 % change on previous year | +51.8% |
| 1848 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1849 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 1850 | -0.3021 % change on previous year | — |
| 1851 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1852 | 0.303 % change on previous year | — |
| 1853 | 0.3021 % change on previous year | -0.3% |
| 1854 | -0.6024 % change on previous year | -299.4% |
| 1855 | -0.9091 % change on previous year | +50.9% |
| 1856 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1857 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 1858 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 1859 | 0.3058 % change on previous year | — |
| 1860 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1861 | 0.9146 % change on previous year | — |
| 1862 | 1.81 % change on previous year | +98.2% |
| 1863 | 0.5935 % change on previous year | -67.3% |
| 1864 | -0.59 % change on previous year | -199.4% |
| 1865 | -0.2967 % change on previous year | -49.7% |
| 1866 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1867 | 0.2976 % change on previous year | — |
| 1868 | 0.2967 % change on previous year | -0.3% |
| 1869 | 0.2959 % change on previous year | -0.3% |
| 1870 | 0.885 % change on previous year | +199.1% |
| 1871 | -2.05 % change on previous year | -331.3% |
| 1872 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1873 | -0.2985 % change on previous year | — |
| 1874 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1875 | -0.2994 % change on previous year | — |
| 1876 | -0.3003 % change on previous year | +0.3% |
| 1877 | -1.81 % change on previous year | +501.8% |
| 1878 | 0.3067 % change on previous year | -117.0% |
| 1879 | 2.14 % change on previous year | +597.9% |
| 1880 | -0.2994 % change on previous year | -114.0% |
| 1881 | 0.3003 % change on previous year | -200.3% |
| 1882 | -0.2994 % change on previous year | -199.7% |
| 1883 | -0.6006 % change on previous year | +100.6% |
| 1884 | -0.3021 % change on previous year | -49.7% |
| 1885 | -0.9091 % change on previous year | +200.9% |
| 1886 | -0.6116 % change on previous year | -32.7% |
| 1887 | 2.15 % change on previous year | -452.2% |
| 1888 | -0.6024 % change on previous year | -128.0% |
| 1889 | -2.12 % change on previous year | +252.1% |
| 1890 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1891 | 1.86 % change on previous year | — |
| 1892 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1893 | 0.6079 % change on previous year | — |
| 1894 | 1.21 % change on previous year | +98.8% |
| 1895 | 10.45 % change on previous year | +764.6% |
| 1896 | 6.76 % change on previous year | -35.3% |
| 1897 | 4.3 % change on previous year | -36.3% |
| 1898 | 0.2427 % change on previous year | -94.4% |
| 1899 | 1.45 % change on previous year | +498.5% |
| 1900 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1901 | 0.4773 % change on previous year | — |
| 1902 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1903 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 1904 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 1905 | -0.7126 % change on previous year | — |
| 1906 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1907 | 0.4785 % change on previous year | — |
| 1908 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1909 | -0.2381 % change on previous year | — |
| 1910 | 0.4773 % change on previous year | -300.5% |
| 1911 | 1.43 % change on previous year | +198.6% |
| 1912 | -0.2342 % change on previous year | -116.4% |
| 1913 | -0.4695 % change on previous year | +100.5% |
| 1914 | -1.42 % change on previous year | +201.4% |
| 1915 | 0.9569 % change on previous year | -167.6% |
| 1916 | -0.7109 % change on previous year | -174.3% |
| 1917 | -4.06 % change on previous year | +470.7% |
| 1918 | 0.2488 % change on previous year | -106.1% |
| 1919 | 2.98 % change on previous year | +1097.0% |
| 1920 | 22.89 % change on previous year | +668.8% |
| 1921 | 0.3922 % change on previous year | -98.3% |
| 1922 | 0.3906 % change on previous year | -0.4% |
| 1923 | 2.53 % change on previous year | +547.5% |
| 1924 | 0.1898 % change on previous year | -92.5% |
| 1925 | 0.3788 % change on previous year | +99.6% |
| 1926 | 0.566 % change on previous year | +49.4% |
| 1927 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1928 | -0.1876 % change on previous year | — |
| 1929 | -0.3759 % change on previous year | +100.4% |
| 1930 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1931 | 2.83 % change on previous year | — |
| 1932 | 0.7339 % change on previous year | -74.1% |
| 1933 | 0.9107 % change on previous year | +24.1% |
| 1934 | -0.1805 % change on previous year | -119.8% |
| 1935 | 1.08 % change on previous year | -701.1% |
| 1936 | 0.5367 % change on previous year | -50.5% |
| 1937 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1938 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 1939 | -1.42 % change on previous year | — |
| 1940 | 2.89 % change on previous year | -302.9% |
| 1941 | -1.4 % change on previous year | -148.6% |
| 1942 | -2.49 % change on previous year | +77.5% |
| 1943 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1944 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 1945 | 2.19 % change on previous year | — |
| 1946 | 7.5 % change on previous year | +242.5% |
| 1947 | 1.5 % change on previous year | -80.1% |
| 1948 | -1.31 % change on previous year | -187.6% |
| 1949 | -3.81 % change on previous year | +191.3% |
| 1950 | 0.8621 % change on previous year | -122.6% |
| 1951 | 4.62 % change on previous year | +435.4% |
| 1952 | -0.1634 % change on previous year | -103.5% |
| 1953 | -0.8183 % change on previous year | +400.8% |
| 1954 | 0.33 % change on previous year | -140.3% |
| 1955 | 0.1645 % change on previous year | -50.2% |
| 1956 | 1.15 % change on previous year | +598.9% |
| 1957 | 0.6494 % change on previous year | -43.5% |
| 1958 | 0.8065 % change on previous year | +24.2% |
| 1959 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1960 | 3.84 % change on previous year | — |
| 1961 | 2.62 % change on previous year | -31.8% |
| 1962 | 0.3003 % change on previous year | -88.5% |
| 1963 | 1.65 % change on previous year | +448.4% |
| 1964 | -0.1473 % change on previous year | -108.9% |
| 1965 | -0.885 % change on previous year | +500.9% |
| 1966 | 3.12 % change on previous year | -453.1% |
| 1967 | 1.01 % change on previous year | -67.7% |
| 1968 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1969 | -1.57 % change on previous year | — |
| 1970 | 4.21 % change on previous year | -367.8% |
| 1971 | 0.8357 % change on previous year | -80.1% |
| 1972 | 1.66 % change on previous year | +98.3% |
| 1973 | 2.99 % change on previous year | +80.3% |
| 1974 | 0.9235 % change on previous year | -69.1% |
| 1975 | 2.22 % change on previous year | +140.6% |
| 1976 | 1.15 % change on previous year | -48.2% |
| 1977 | 5.06 % change on previous year | +339.4% |
| 1978 | 0.361 % change on previous year | -92.9% |
| 1979 | -0.2398 % change on previous year | -166.4% |
| 1980 | 1.44 % change on previous year | -701.4% |
| 1981 | 1.3 % change on previous year | -9.6% |
| 1982 | 0.117 % change on previous year | -91.0% |
| 1983 | 0.5841 % change on previous year | +399.4% |
| 1984 | -0.1161 % change on previous year | -119.9% |
| 1985 | -0.4651 % change on previous year | +300.5% |
| 1986 | 0.1168 % change on previous year | -125.1% |
| 1987 | 0.7001 % change on previous year | +499.3% |
| 1988 | -0.1159 % change on previous year | -116.6% |
| 1989 | -0.348 % change on previous year | +200.3% |
| 1990 | 0.4657 % change on previous year | -233.8% |
| 1991 | 0.4635 % change on previous year | -0.5% |
| 1992 | 0.5767 % change on previous year | +24.4% |
| 1993 | -0.5734 % change on previous year | -199.4% |
| 1994 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1995 | 0.1153 % change on previous year | — |
| 1996 | 0.1152 % change on previous year | -0.1% |
| 1997 | 0.2301 % change on previous year | +99.8% |
| 1998 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 1999 | -0.3444 % change on previous year | — |
| 2000 | -0.1152 % change on previous year | -66.6% |
| 2001 | -4.5 % change on previous year | +3804.5% |
| 2002 | 0.1208 % change on previous year | -102.7% |
| 2003 | 3.74 % change on previous year | +2996.3% |
| 2004 | 0.2326 % change on previous year | -93.8% |
| 2005 | -0.6961 % change on previous year | -399.3% |
| 2006 | 0.7009 % change on previous year | -200.7% |
| 2007 | 4.06 % change on previous year | +479.3% |
| 2008 | 0.3344 % change on previous year | -91.8% |
| 2009 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 2010 | 0 % change on previous year | — |
| 2011 | -0.4444 % change on previous year | — |
| 2012 | 0 % change on previous year | -100.0% |
| 2013 | 1 % change on previous year | — |
| 2014 | -0.442 % change on previous year | -144.0% |
| 2015 | -0.111 % change on previous year | -74.9% |
| 2016 | -1.67 % change on previous year | +1401.7% |
| 2017 | -5.76 % change on previous year | +245.8% |
| 2018 | -1.2 % change on previous year | -79.2% |
| 2019 | -0.7282 % change on previous year | -39.3% |
| 2020 | -0.3667 % change on previous year | -49.6% |
| 2021 | 0.7362 % change on previous year | -300.7% |
| 2022 | 1.46 % change on previous year | +98.5% |
| 2023 | 2.88 % change on previous year | +97.1% |
| 2024 | -1.63 % change on previous year | -156.7% |
| 2025 | -12.81 % change on previous year | +684.2% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's -12.81 % change on previous year is below the median for high income countries, which is -0.4032 % change on previous year, 31.8× the median. (55 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Varieties democracy vdem, annual growth rate in United States changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | -3804.5% | -0.1152 % change on previous year | -4.5 % change on previous year |
| 2003 | +2996.3% | 0.1208 % change on previous year | 3.74 % change on previous year |
| 1840 | -1496.2% | 0.2717 % change on previous year | -3.79 % change on previous year |
| 1801 | +1403.8% | -0.2907 % change on previous year | 3.79 % change on previous year |
| 2016 | -1401.7% | -0.111 % change on previous year | -1.67 % change on previous year |
| 1919 | +1097.0% | 0.2488 % change on previous year | 2.98 % change on previous year |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1790s | -0.0541 % change on previous year | -2.25 % change on previous year | 1.15 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1800s | 0.2686 % change on previous year | -1.94 % change on previous year | 3.79 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1810s | 0.1416 % change on previous year | -0.2833 % change on previous year | 1.14 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1820s | -0.1357 % change on previous year | -1.7 % change on previous year | 2.02 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1830s | 0.4463 % change on previous year | -0.2755 % change on previous year | 1.42 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1840s | -1.07 % change on previous year | -3.79 % change on previous year | 0.2924 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1850s | -0.0903 % change on previous year | -0.9091 % change on previous year | 0.3058 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1860s | 0.3324 % change on previous year | -0.59 % change on previous year | 1.81 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1870s | -0.142 % change on previous year | -2.05 % change on previous year | 2.14 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1880s | -0.3292 % change on previous year | -2.12 % change on previous year | 2.15 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1890s | 2.69 % change on previous year | 0 % change on previous year | 10.45 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1900s | 0.0005 % change on previous year | -0.7126 % change on previous year | 0.4785 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1910s | -0.0801 % change on previous year | -4.06 % change on previous year | 2.98 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1920s | 2.68 % change on previous year | -0.3759 % change on previous year | 22.89 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.4493 % change on previous year | -1.42 % change on previous year | 2.83 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.5055 % change on previous year | -3.81 % change on previous year | 7.5 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.7595 % change on previous year | -0.8183 % change on previous year | 4.62 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.9938 % change on previous year | -1.57 % change on previous year | 3.84 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.92 % change on previous year | -0.2398 % change on previous year | 5.06 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.3218 % change on previous year | -0.4651 % change on previous year | 1.44 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.1049 % change on previous year | -0.5734 % change on previous year | 0.5767 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.3879 % change on previous year | -4.5 % change on previous year | 4.06 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2010s | -0.935 % change on previous year | -5.76 % change on previous year | 1 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2020s | -1.62 % change on previous year | -12.81 % change on previous year | 2.88 % change on previous year | 6 |
Countries ranked near United States
- 165 Syria -10.49 % change on previous year compare
- 166 Moldova -11.09 % change on previous year compare
- 167 Tanzania -11.62 % change on previous year compare
- 169 Burkina Faso -12.99 % change on previous year compare
- 170 Bangladesh -13.33 % change on previous year compare
- 171 South Sudan -13.64 % change on previous year compare
More social development data for United States
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 457,647 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 3,667 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 2 (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 3,667 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0013 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 varieties democracy vdem, annual growth rate in United States?
- Varieties democracy vdem, annual growth rate in United States was -12.81 % change on previous year in 2025, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest varieties democracy vdem, annual growth rate recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 22.89 % change on previous year in 1920.
- What is the lowest varieties democracy vdem, annual growth rate recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was -12.81 % change on previous year in 2025.
- How does United States rank for varieties democracy vdem, annual growth rate?
- United States ranks 168th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is varieties democracy vdem, annual growth rate rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11,443.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Varieties democracy vdem, annual growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 236 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
The year-on-year percentage change in Varieties democracy vdem. Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.
Computed from
- Varieties of democracy V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
The year-on-year percentage change in Varieties democracy vdem. Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.