What is varieties of democracy in France?

Varieties of democracy in France was 0.865 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest varieties of democracy recorded in France?

The highest recorded value was 0.89 in 2012.

What is the lowest varieties of democracy recorded in France?

The lowest recorded value was 0.082 in 1941.

How does France rank for varieties of democracy?

France ranks 9th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is varieties of democracy rising or falling in France?

Over the last ten years it is down 2.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this France data come from?

The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Varieties of democracy. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Varieties of democracy in France

Name: Varieties of democracy in France
Creator: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

France: Varieties of democracy was 0.865 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.865

Change on year

up 0.1%

World rank

9th

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.89

in 2012

All-time low

0.082

in 1941

Years of data

237

1789–2025

Varieties of democracy in France, 1789–2025

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for varieties of democracy in France is 0.865, measured in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.1% on the previous year and down 2.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, varieties of democracy in France peaked at 0.89 in 2012 and was at its lowest, 0.082, in 1941.

That places France 9th 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.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1780s	0.256	0.256	0.256	1
1790s	0.2636	0.233	0.275	10
1800s	0.118	0.118	0.118	10
1810s	0.1486	0.093	0.185	10
1820s	0.171	0.13	0.186	10
1830s	0.2058	0.205	0.206	10
1840s	0.2527	0.205	0.479	10
1850s	0.2159	0.161	0.479	10
1860s	0.199	0.175	0.203	10
1870s	0.4815	0.319	0.538	10
1880s	0.5463	0.545	0.548	10
1890s	0.5445	0.541	0.551	10
1900s	0.5598	0.555	0.562	10
1910s	0.5365	0.512	0.566	10
1920s	0.563	0.56	0.566	10
1930s	0.5548	0.534	0.561	10
1940s	0.3265	0.082	0.737	10
1950s	0.7444	0.722	0.754	10
1960s	0.7712	0.748	0.805	10
1970s	0.844	0.828	0.854	10
1980s	0.8661	0.854	0.875	10
1990s	0.8738	0.869	0.875	10
2000s	0.8763	0.873	0.885	10
2010s	0.8833	0.866	0.89	10
2020s	0.8682	0.864	0.875	6

Countries ranked near France

7 Switzerland 0.882 compare
10 Costa Rica 0.862 compare
10 Uruguay 0.862 compare
12 Finland 0.852 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for France

Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 788,419 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 166 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Liberal democracy 3 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.8 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.917 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.917 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.865 (2025)

All data for France →

Frequently asked questions

What is varieties of democracy in France?: Varieties of democracy in France was 0.865 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest varieties of democracy recorded in France?: The highest recorded value was 0.89 in 2012.
What is the lowest varieties of democracy recorded in France?: The lowest recorded value was 0.082 in 1941.
How does France rank for varieties of democracy?: France ranks 9th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is varieties of democracy rising or falling in France?: Over the last ten years it is down 2.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this France data come from?: The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Varieties of 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: Varieties of democracy
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 176 places, 29,649 data points, 1789–2025
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Central estimate of the extent to which political leaders are elected under comprehensive suffrage in free and fair elections, and freedoms of association and expression are guaranteed.