What is varieties of democracy in Germany?

Varieties of democracy in Germany was 0.828 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest varieties of democracy recorded in Germany?

The highest recorded value was 0.902 in 2006.

What is the lowest varieties of democracy recorded in Germany?

The lowest recorded value was 0.026 in 1789.

How does Germany rank for varieties of democracy?

Germany ranks 21st out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is varieties of democracy rising or falling in Germany?

Over the last ten years it is down 6.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Germany 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 Germany

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

Germany: Varieties of democracy was 0.828 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.828

Change on year

up 0.4%

World rank

21st

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.902

in 2006

All-time low

0.026

in 1789

Years of data

191

1789–2025

Varieties of democracy in Germany, 1789–2025

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for varieties of democracy in Germany is 0.828, measured in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.4% on the previous year and down 6.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, varieties of democracy in Germany peaked at 0.902 in 2006 and was at its lowest, 0.026, in 1789.

Germany ranks 21st 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

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1780s	0.026	0.026	0.026	1
1790s	0.026	0.026	0.026	10
1800s	0.026	0.026	0.026	10
1810s	0.028	0.026	0.03	10
1820s	0.03	0.03	0.03	10
1830s	0.03	0.03	0.03	10
1840s	0.0572	0.03	0.169	10
1850s	0.157	0.157	0.157	10
1860s	0.1894	0.157	0.202	10
1870s	0.2287	0.205	0.232	10
1880s	0.2315	0.23	0.233	10
1890s	0.2385	0.236	0.241	10
1900s	0.2491	0.238	0.256	10
1910s	0.2812	0.24	0.577	10
1920s	0.6222	0.604	0.646	10
1930s	0.2421	0.071	0.593	10
1940s	0.0714	0.071	0.072	5
1990s	0.8938	0.893	0.899	9
2000s	0.899	0.896	0.902	10
2010s	0.8893	0.878	0.9	10
2020s	0.8493	0.825	0.87	6

Countries ranked near Germany

19 Latvia 0.834 compare
20 Netherlands 0.832 compare
22 Portugal 0.822 compare
22 Spain 0.822 compare
24 Japan 0.819 compare
24 South Korea 0.819 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Germany

Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 2.66 million (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 327 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Liberal democracy 3 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.782 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.94 (2025)
Electoral democracy 2 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.94 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.828 (2025)

All data for Germany →

Frequently asked questions

What is varieties of democracy in Germany?: Varieties of democracy in Germany was 0.828 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest varieties of democracy recorded in Germany?: The highest recorded value was 0.902 in 2006.
What is the lowest varieties of democracy recorded in Germany?: The lowest recorded value was 0.026 in 1789.
How does Germany rank for varieties of democracy?: Germany ranks 21st out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is varieties of democracy rising or falling in Germany?: Over the last ten years it is down 6.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Germany 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 — 191 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.