What is varieties of democracy in Zambia?

Varieties of democracy in Zambia was 0.497 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest varieties of democracy recorded in Zambia?

The highest recorded value was 0.525 in 2023.

What is the lowest varieties of democracy recorded in Zambia?

The lowest recorded value was 0.038 in 1912.

How does Zambia rank for varieties of democracy?

Zambia ranks 88th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.

Is varieties of democracy rising or falling in Zambia?

Over the last ten years it is up 8.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Zambia 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 Zambia

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

Zambia: Varieties of democracy was 0.497 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)

0.497

Change on year

down 2.9%

World rank

88th

of 176 countries

All-time high

0.525

in 2023

All-time low

0.038

in 1912

Years of data

115

1911–2025

Varieties of democracy in Zambia, 1911–2025

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for varieties of democracy in Zambia is 0.497, measured in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.9% on the previous year and up 8.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, varieties of democracy in Zambia peaked at 0.525 in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0.038, in 1912.

Zambia ranks 88th of 176 countries on this measure, 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

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1910s	0.0381	0.038	0.039	9
1920s	0.0491	0.038	0.066	10
1930s	0.0668	0.064	0.068	10
1940s	0.0757	0.067	0.097	10
1950s	0.1035	0.096	0.109	10
1960s	0.2234	0.115	0.307	10
1970s	0.2163	0.192	0.283	10
1980s	0.1921	0.192	0.193	10
1990s	0.4278	0.217	0.49	10
2000s	0.495	0.484	0.517	10
2010s	0.4426	0.358	0.514	10
2020s	0.4713	0.353	0.525	6

Countries ranked near Zambia

85 Nigeria 0.505 compare
86 Malaysia 0.504 compare
87 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.498 compare
89 Benin 0.493 compare
90 Albania 0.484 compare
91 Sierra Leone 0.471 compare

See the full ranking of 176 places →

More social development data for Zambia

Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 83,225 (2025)
Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 346 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Liberal democracy 1 (2025)
Liberal Democracy Index 0.375 (2025)
Human Rights Index 0.773 (2025)
Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
Key features of human rights 0.773 (2025)
Key features of electoral democracy 0.497 (2025)

All data for Zambia →

Frequently asked questions

What is varieties of democracy in Zambia?: Varieties of democracy in Zambia was 0.497 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest varieties of democracy recorded in Zambia?: The highest recorded value was 0.525 in 2023.
What is the lowest varieties of democracy recorded in Zambia?: The lowest recorded value was 0.038 in 1912.
How does Zambia rank for varieties of democracy?: Zambia ranks 88th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
Is varieties of democracy rising or falling in Zambia?: Over the last ten years it is up 8.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Zambia 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 — 115 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.